[ EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 158, February 18, 1994 ]

CREATING A PRESIDENTIAL COMMISSION TO FORMULATE SHORT AND LONG-TERM PLANS FOR THE RESTORATION AND PRESERVATION OF THE IFUGAO RICE TERRACES IN THE MUNICIPALITIES OF BANAUE, HUNGDUAN, MAYOYAO AND KIANGAN



WHEREAS, the Medium Term Philippine Development Plan, 1993-1998 (MTPDP) as approved by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board, shall be the basis for all development activities to be undertaken by the government during said Plan period;

WHEREAS, an important component of the MTPDP is the National Tourism Master Plan of the Department of Tourism (DOT) which identifies the area covering as a major destination for tourism in the Philippines;

WHEREAS, under Proclamation No. 1522, the rice terraces in the municipalities of Banaue, Kiangan, Mayoyao and Hungduan in the Province of Ifugao were declared tourist zone under the administration and control of the Philippine Tourism Authority pursuant to Section 5 (D) of P.D. No. 564;

WHEREAS, to enable the Government to undertake measures to restore and preserve the Ifugao rice terraces and promote the accelerated socio-economic development of the area consistent with the concept of sustainable development, there is a need to create a body that shall formulate short and long-term plans for the area covered herein as well as address certain policy, planning and implementation issues.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, FIDEL V. RAMOS, President of the Republic of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby order:

Section 1. There is hereby created under the Office of the President a Presidential Commission to be called the Ifugao Terraces Commission for the restoration and preservation of the Ifugao Rice Terraces in the municipalities of Banaue, Kiangan, Hungdungan and Mayoyao in Ifugao, hereinafter referred to as the Commission, composed of the following:

Secretary of Tourism

Chairman

Secretary of Agriculture

Vice Chairman

Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources

Member

Secretary of Public Works and Highways

Member

Secretary of Interior and Local Governments

Member

Secretary of Trade and Industry

Member

Secretary of Agrarian Reform

Member

Secretary of Education, Culture and Sports

Member

Head, Presidential Management Staff

Member

Governor of Ifugao

Member

Congressman of Ifugao

Member

Mayors of the concerned Local Government Units

Member

Local Government Units

Member

Executive Director of the Cordillera Executive Board

Member


A representative each from the business, agricultural, and religious sectors and Non-Governmental Organizations shall serve as Consultants to the Commission.

The Philippine Tourism Authority shall initially serve as Technical Secretariat of the Commission is to be headed by an Executive Director. The Executive Director shall be appointed by the President.

Section 2. The Commission shall be an advisory body to the President and shall exercise the following functions and responsibilities:

a. Formulate a Three-Year Ifugao Terraces Master Plan by September 30, 1994 and a Six-Year Integrated Master Plan for the whole area covering Banaue, Kiangan, Hungdungan, and Mayoyao by December 1, 1994, based on the following guidelines:

(1 Restoration and Preservation of the area ™s terraces, protection of its ecological balance and enhancement of its environment;

(2) Maximum enjoyment and easy access or ordinary people to public areas;

(3) Rational-land use and zoning plan considering that the Ifugao Rice Terraces are national treasure and tourist destination of Filipinos from all parts as well as foreign visitors;

(4) Prohibition/control of unusually tall and unstable and obstructive structures obscuring public view of the natural beauty of the surroundings in accordance with the zoning ordinances of the local government units concerned and subject to the pertinent laws rules and regulations on the matter;

(5) Provision for improved and adequate service infrastructure such as power, water, communications and waste disposal facilities;

Massive reforestation;

(7) Enhancement of agricultural productivity and local livelihood opportunities as an alternative to industrial employment; and Provision for a viable peace and order plan.

Both Plans shall include a Comprehensive Investment Program, Capability Building Program for the affected local government units as well as the coordinated establishment of the following in the subject area:

i. a nature center
ii. a people ™s center
iii. a conference and meeting center
iv. a flea market destination (vegetable/livelihood); and
v. a tourist destination

Both Plans shall be submitted to the President for approval.

b. Assist the local government units concerned in undertaking various planning activities to develop short-term and long-term strategies for tourism development, environmental protection, attracting business investment, social development, and institutional building, in line with the developmental guidelines stated above and to integrate all national and local plans relative to the restoration and preservation of the subject area;

c. Adopt a process of maximum consultation with the local government units concerned and all interest groups in the localities to ensure that the residents ™ needs, concerns and ideas are considered in the formulation and implementation of the said plans, development guidelines, and municipal ordinances;

d. Study and review policy measures that shall promote and address the concerns on environmental protection, poverty alleviation, local autonomy, eco-tourism, and sustainable development of the subject area;

e. Recommend (i) legislation to conserve the natural resources and promote the accelerated socio-economic development of the area; (ii) zoning ordinances to the Sangguniang Bayan concerned in consonance with the Plans approved by the President, subject existing laws, rules and regulations; (iii) the establishment of fire limits or zones, particularly in populous centers; and (iv) the regulation of the construction, repair or modification of buildings within said fire limits or zones in accordance with the provisions of the Fire Code; and

f. Recommend to the Sangguniang Bayan concerned such other ordinances and measures as may be necessary to attain the objectives of the Plans approved by the President.

Section 3. Pursuant to the provisions of Section 14, Book II of Executive Order No. 292 (1987), lands of the private domain of the Government located in the subject area, the use of which is not otherwise directed by law, are hereby reserved from lease, sale or other disposition. Such reserved lands shall be used for developmental purposes in accordance with the Plans approved by the President.

Section 4. The heads of the local government units concerned are hereby directed to strictly enforce their respective ordinances particularly those prescribing height limitations, in the construction of buildings in the area covered herein.

Section 5. The Commission may call upon any government agency, office of bureau for assistance to facilities the performance of, its functions and responsibilities.

Section 6. The Commission shall submit monthly reports of its activities to the Office of the President.

Section 7. The amount of Five Million Pesos (P5,000,000), to be drawn equally from the President ™s Contingent Fund and funds of the DOT, shall be released for the operations of the Commission for 1994. Appropriations for the succeeding years shall be incorporated in the budget proposals under the Office of the President.

Section 8. All executive issuances, orders, rules and regulations, or parts thereof, inconsistent with this Executive Order are hereby revoked or modified accordingly.

Section 9. This Executive Order shall take effect immediately.

DONE in the City of Manila this 18Th day of February in the year of our Lord, Nineteen Hundred and Ninety Four.

(Sgd.) FIDEL V. RAMOS
President of the Philippines

By the President:
(Sgd.) TEOFISTO T. GUINGONA
Executive Secretary