WHEREAS, the Southern Philippines Development Authority (SPDA) was created pursuant to Presidential Decree No. 1703, as amended, in order to promote the development of Southern Philippines;

WHEREAS, the SPDA was attached to the Presidential Management Staff (PMS) by virtue of Executive Order No. 130, after the Ministry of Human Settlements was abolished in 1987;

WHEREAS, the SPDA was mandated under the GRP-MNLF Peace Accords to be one of the institutional mechanisms for peace and development in the Special Zone of Peace and Development (SZOPAD);

WHEREAS, under Section 31, Chapter 10, Book III of the Administrative Code of 1987, the President of the Philippines has continuing authority to reorganize the administrative structure of the Office of the President, and the SPDA, PMS, and the Presidential Committee on Flagship Programs and Projects are all under the Office of the President; and

WHEREAS, agricultural development will be a main focus and be part of the œflagship  program under this Administration, and the SPDA has the mandate, organization and capability to undertake agricultural development specially in Southern Philippines.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH EJERCITO ESTRADA, President of the Republic of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby order:

SECTION 1. For better policy and program coordination, the Southern Philippines Development Authority is hereby attached to the Presidential Committee on Flagship Programs and Projects. Accordingly, the SPDA shall coordinate its programs and projects with the Office of the President through the Flagship Committee.

SEC. 2. This Executive Order shall take effect fifteen days following its publication in a newspaper of general circulation.

DONE in the City of Manila, Philippines this 17th day of August, in the year of Our Lord, Nineteen Hundred and Ninety Eight.

(SGD.) JOSEPH EJERCITO ESTRADA
President of the Philippines

By the President:

(SGD.) RONALDO B. ZAMORA
Executive Secretary