WHEREAS, the issue on siltation is a most-often cited issue particularly in relation to the San Roque Multi-Purpose Dam Project (SRMDP);

WHEREAS, there is a real need to address the concern on the ground and put in place a mechanism that will facilitate the management of the problem;

WHEREAS, the National Power Corporation (NPC) has approved an initial amount of TWENTY MILLION PESOS (P20,000,000.00) as Trust fund to mitigate siltation and erosion problems that are existing and that may arise in the future;

NOW THEREFORE, I, FIDEL V. RAMOS, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby create a SILTATION STEERING COMMITTEE to manage a Trust fund for siltation and erosion-related issues.

SECTION 1. Composition. The Steering Committee shall be composed of

Chairman, Mayor of the Municipality of Itogon
Co-Chairman, DENR-CAR Regional Executive Director
Representative, Provincial Government of Benguet
Representative, Office of the Cabinet Officer for Regional Development-CAR
Presidential Assistant, Office of the President
Representative, Religious Sector/NGO/PO
Representative, Dalupirip-Ampucao-Poblacion-Tinongdan Indigenous Organizations
Secretariat, National Power Corporation

SEC. 2. Functions. - The Steering Committee shall have the following functions:

1. To receive, administer and manage a Trust Fund, initially appropriated at TWENTY MILLION PESOS (P20,000,000.00) that shall be deposited in trust for the account of the Municipal Government of Itogon;

2. To authorize the disbursements and release of necessary funds out of the siltation trust fund, subject to the usual accounting and auditing rules and regulations, for siltation and erosion problems, in such cases and under circumstances as may be determined by the committee. Disbursements shall bear the signature of the Chairman and Co-Chairman of the committee.

3. To commission studies, surveys and other related activities deemed necessary that will identify structures and processes which will minimize siltation along the Agno River and its tributaries (upper portion of the proposed Dam), within the lake that will be formed by the proposed SRMDP, and within the adjoining watershed area;

4. To establish a Geographic Information System (GIS) that shall facilitate project planning and decision making;

5. To formulate/adopt its own implementing rules and regulations including a set criteria in the utilization of the Fund and its earned interests.

SEC. 3. Effectivity. - This Executive Order shall take effect immediately.

Done in the City of Manila, this 29^Th day of June in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and ninety six.

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

By the President

(Sgd.) RUBEN D. TORRES
Executive Secretary