WHEREAS, it is government ™s policy to ensure that the implementation of development programs and projects is undertaken in a coordinated manner to provide maximum benefits to our people;

WHEREAS, the provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur and Cotabato were beset by peace and order problems and other man-made disasters which hampered their growth and development;

WHEREAS, there is a need to implement a coordinated effort to accelerate the development of these areas and improve the living conditions of its people.

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

SEC. 1. CONSTITUTION OF THE MAGLANCO AREA DEVELOPMENT AND COORDINATING COUNCIL. There is hereby constituted a Maguindanao, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur and Cotabato (MAGLANCO) Area Development and Coordinating Council for the integrated and synchronized implementation of special economic development projects and the afore-mentioned provinces, including the cities of Cotabato, Marawi and Iligan. The Central Mindanao Development Task Force created under Administrative Order No. 286 dated September 3, 1996, is hereby abolished.

SEC. 2. COMPOSITION OF THE COUNCIL. The MAGLANCO Council shall be chaired by the Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Flagship Programs and Projects, with heads/representatives from the following agencies as members to be designated by their respective Secretaries:

1. Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM);
2. Department of Public Works & Highways (DPWH);
3. Department of Interior Local Government (DILG);
4. Department of Agriculture (DA);
5. Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR);
6. Department of Energy (DOE);
7. Department of Trade and Industry (DTI);
8. Department of Environment & Natural Resources (DENR);
9. Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD);
10. Department of Transportation & Communication (DOTC);
11. Department of Budget & Management (DBM); and
12. Southern Philippines Development Authority (SPDA).

The MAGLANCO Council may invite representatives from Local Government Units, non-government organization and peoples organization, and religious, political, civic groups to act as consultants, resource persons, or advisers to the Council.

SEC. 3. FUNCTIONS OF THE MAGLANCO COUNCIL. The MAGLANCO Council shall have the following functions:

1. Implement a multi-agency development program to promote the sustained economic and social development of the provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur and Cotabato and cities of Cotabato, Marawi and Iligan, in consultation with concerned local government units, national government agencies, non-government organizations and peoples organizations, and religious, political, civic groups;
2. Orchestrate the identification, implementation and monitoring of special economic and social development projects in the area;
3. Formulate innovative schemes to provide opportunities for the private sector participation in the development efforts within area;
4. Pool, manage, and coordinate government resources and immediately implement identified priority economic and social development programs and projects in the area;
5. Submit regular accomplishment reports to the President; and
6. Perform such other tasks as may be assigned by the President.

SEC. 4. COORDINATION WITH MILITARY AND PNP. The concerned military and police units in the areas covered by the Council shall provide assistance, as may be appropriate, to maintain peace and order in the area.

SEC. 5. SECRETARIAT/BUDGET. The Southern Philippines Development Authority (SPDA) shall act as the Secretariat of the MAGLANCO Council. The Secretariat shall be based in Cotabato City.

The MAGLANCO Council shall have a budget of Ten Million (P10,000,000.00) Pesos to be taken from the Office of the President.

SEC. 6. CREATION OF TASK FORCES. The MAGLANCO Council may create Task Forces as may be necessary to undertake specific assignment that the Council may determine from time to time. The Task Force MALMAR created pursuant to Memorandum Order No. 34 dated 05 November 1998 shall function as a Task Force reporting to the MAGLANCO Council.

SEC. 7. REPEALING CLAUSE. All Administrative Orders, rules, regulations and other similar issuances, or parts thereof, which are inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 8. EFFECTIVITY. This Administrative Order shall take effect immediately.

DONE, in the City of Manila, this 10^th day of February, in the Year of Our Lord, Nineteen Hundred and Ninety Nine.

(Sgd.) JOSEPH EJERCITO ESTRADA
President of the Philippines

By the President:
(Sgd.) RONALDO B. ZAMORA
Executive Secretary