WHEREAS, there is a need to enhance the effectiveness of the Peace and Order Council (POC) in its crime prevention and suppression mission through the expansion of its membership and the extension of its infrastructure down to the barangay level;

WHEREAS, the establishment of a peace and order organization at the barangay level was recommended by participants to the law enforcement workshop during the 4th National Summit on Peace and Order held on April 11-12, 1996 at the PICC, Manila;

WHEREAS, the organization of peace and order bodies in the barangays is also consistent with Senate Resolution No. 145, s. of 1992 urging the establishment of Barangay Crime Watch Centers (BCWCs) nationwide to serve as an effective community-based crime prevention monitoring and coordinating mechanism;

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. Section 1 of Executive Order No. 309, as amended by Executive Order No. 317, Executive Order No. 320 and Executive Order No. 20, is hereby further amended to read as follows:

SECTION 1. Reorganization of the Peace and Order Council. - The Peace and Order Council is hereby reorganized on the national, regional, provincial, city and municipal levels of government to be constituted as follows:

a. The National Peace and Order Council (NPOC) shall be composed of the following:

Twelve (12) representatives from the private sector who shall be appointed by the Chairman as regular members of the Council representing the academic, civic, religious, youth, labor, legal, business, media, women, cooperative, cultural minority and people ™s organizations. Other cause-oriented groups and organizations may be invited to participate as technical advisers or observers in the council.

b. A Special Action Committee shall be organized within the NPOC, composed of the Secretary of the Interior and Local Government, Secretary of National Defense, Secretary of Social Welfare and Development, Secretary of Justice, the AFP Chief of Staff, the PNP Chief and a representative  from the private sector, to take action on any critical or emergency situation.

c. The Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) shall be composed of the regional counterparts of the departments, offices and agencies enumerated in paragraph (a) wherever applicable, to be appointed by their respective agency heads. The RPOC Chairman and Vice-Chairman shall be appointed by the Chairman of the NPOC.

The Chairman of the RPOC shall appoint at least three (3) representatives from the private sector as enumerated under paragraph (a) upon consultation with the members of the RPOC. Departments, offices and agencies with no regional and/or field offices may deputize their representatives on the sub-national levels. As may be necessary, or depending upon the needs and situation in the area, the RPOC Chairman may appoint additional Sectoral Representatives to the RPOC.

The Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) shall be composed of the provincial counterparts of the departments, offices and agencies as enumerated in paragraph (a) wherever applicable, to be appointed by their respective agency heads, with the Provincial Governor as Chairman and the Provincial Vice-Governor as Vice-Chairman. In addition, there shall be one representative of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan to be chosen by it from among its members. The Chairman of the Provincial Peace and Order Council shall appoint at least three (3) representatives of the private sector as enumerated under paragraph (a) upon consultation with the members of the Council at his level (PPOC). Departments, offices and agencies with no regional and/or field offices may deputize their representatives on the provincial level. As may be necessary or depending upon the needs and situation in the area, the PPOC Chairman may appoint additional Sectoral Representatives to the PPOC.

e. The City or Municipal Peace and Order Council (CPOC/MPOC) shall be composed of the city or municipal counterparts of the departments, offices and agencies as enumerated in paragraph (a) wherever applicable, to be appointed by their respective agency heads with the City or Municipal Mayor as Chairman and the respective Vice-Mayor as Vice-Chairman. In addition, there shall be one representative of the Sangguniang Panlungsod or Sangguniang Bayan, as the case may be, to be chosen by said Sanggunian from among its members. The Chairman of the CPOC or MPOC shall appoint one representative from the veterans group of the locality and at least three (3) representatives of the private sector as enumerated under paragraph (a) upon consultation with the members of the Council at his level (CPOC or MPOC). Departments, offices and agencies with no city/municipal and/or field offices may deputize their representatives on the city or municipal levels as may be necessary, or depending upon the needs and situation in the area, the CPOC or MPOC Chairman may appoint additional Sectoral Representatives to the CPOC/MPOC.

SEC. 2. Creation of Barangay Peace and Order Committee. Every Barangay shall organize a Peace and Order Committee to serve as implementing arm of the City/Municipal Peace and Order Council at the Barangay level. Such Committee shall be composed of the following members:

1 The Punong Barangay as Chairman;

2. The Chairman of the Sangguniang Kabataan;

3. A Member of the Lupon Tagapamayapa;

4. A Barangay Tanod;

5. A Public School Teacher (to be designated by the School Principal or School Head Teacher);

6. A Representative of the Interfaith Group;

7. A Senior Citizen;

8. At least three (3) Members of existing Barangay-Based Anti-Crime or Neighborhood Watch Groups or an NGO Representative well-known in his community; and

9. A PNP Officer (to be designated by the Chief of Police of the corresponding City/Municipality).

As may be necessary or depending upon the needs and situation in the area, the Punong Kagawad, in his capacity as Chairman of the Barangay Peace and Order Committee may appoint additional Sectoral Representatives to such Committee.

The City/Municipal and Barangay Government shall appropriate the necessary funds for the operation of the Barangay Peace and Order Committee from any available local funds.

SEC. 3. Functions of the Barangay Peace and Order Committee. The Barangay Peace and Order Committee shall have the following functions and responsibilities:

Monitor and coordinate the implementation of peace and order programs and projects at the barangay level;

2. Serve as an information-gathering mechanism;

3. Monitor and check the nefarious activities of criminal elements;

4. Identify barangay constituents with strong deviant behavior for referral to appropriate authorities;

5. Maintain continuing dialogue, close coordination and rapport with the higher levels of the peace and order councils and law enforcement units;

6. Formulate plans and recommend such measures which will improve or enhance peace and order and public safety in their area of responsibility;

7. Monitor, coordinate and supervise the operation of all community-based anti-crime movements within the barangay;

8. Make periodic assessment of the prevailing peace and order situation in their respective areas of responsibility and submit report with appropriate recommendations to the higher level Peace and Order Council; and

9. Perform such other functions which may be assigned by higher level peace and order councils.

SEC. 4. Section 5 of the same Executive Order is hereby amended to read as follows:

œSEC. 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The National Peace and Order Council shall issue appropriate implementing rules and regulations to carry out the objectives of this Order.

The Chairman of the Peace and Order Council, upon the direction of the President of the Philippines, may be authorized to expand the membership of the council as may be necessary and issue directives and guidelines to ensure an effective implementation of the rules and regulations. 

SEC. 5. This Executive Order shall take effect immediately.

DONE in the City of Manila, this 5^th day of September 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