[ EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 294, August 26, 2000 ]

CREATING THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENTIAL ADVISER FOR CHILDREN ™S AFFAIRS



WHEREAS, this Administration envisions the Republic of the Philippines as a child-friendly country where the child is at the center of the human development agenda;

WHEREAS, it is further envisioned by this Administration to have all sectors of society work together to promote the welfare of children;

WHEREAS, there is a need to establish a government agency for children ™s affairs to serve as a direct link with the government, specially as regards policy formulation and program implementation addressing children ™s needs;

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

Section 1. Creation - There is hereby created under the Office of the President the Office of the Presidential Adviser for Children ™s Affairs. The Presidential Adviser shall have the rank of Cabinet Secretary and shall serve at the pleasure of the President.

Section 2. Nature of the Office - The Office shall be primary policy-making and coordinating body of all child development programs and institutions in the Philippines.

Section 3. Powers and Responsibilities - (a) The Office of the Presidential Adviser for Children ™s Affairs shall have the following powers and responsibilities:
  1. To advise the President on issues affecting children and to recommend such measures or programs that will complement the Estrada Administration ™s pro-poor agenda;

  2. To review all legislation for children and to see if there is a need to introduce or amend legislation for the protection and welfare of children;

  3. To facilitate the funding of programs and projects from both foreign and domestic fund sources, and

  4. To perform such other functions as may be authorized by the President of the Philippines.
(b) The Presidential Adviser shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the Office of the Presidential Adviser for Children ™s Affairs. The Presidential Adviser shall have the following powers and responsibilities:
  1. To establish the organizational structure of the Office and appoint, on a permanent or contractual basis, the necessary administrative and subordinate personnel;

  2. To direct and supervise the operations and internal affairs of the Office;

  3. To suspend, dismiss, or otherwise discipline for cause any employee and to approve or disapprove the appointment, transfer, or detail of employees; and

  4. To perform such other functions as may be authorized by the President.
Section 4. Assistance from Other Government Agencies - All government offices, agencies, and instrumentalities are hereby directed to give and all assistance as may be required by the Office of the Presidential Adviser for Children ™s Affairs in carrying out its functions. Failure by the appropriate government office, agency, or instrumentality to provide such assistance shall be deemed an administrative offense and shall be dealt with in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.

Section 5. Funding - To carry our the provisions of this Executive Order, the initial sum of Tem Million (P10,000,000.00) Pesos or so much thereof as may be necessary is hereby authorized released from the National Treasury from any fund not otherwise appropriated. Thereafter, such amount as may be necessary for the operations of the Office of the Presidential Adviser for Children ™s Affairs shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

Section 6. Reportorial Requirements - The Office of the Presidential Adviser for Children ™s Affairs shall submit quarterly reports of its funds and activities to the President.

Section 7. Effectivity - This Executive Order shall take effect immediately.

DONE in the City of Manila, this 26th day of August, in the Year of our Lord, Two Thousand.

(Sgd.) JOSEPH EJERCITO ESTRADA

By the President:

(Sgd.) RAMON B. ZAMORA
Executive Secretary