WHEREAS, the government ™s main thrust in Mindanao is the attainment of food security and the alleviation of poverty;

WHEREAS, in line with this thrust and Region IX ™s program of modernizing the agriculture and fishery sectors pursuant to the Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act (Republic Act No. 8435), the Zamboanga Peninsula and Basilan Province (ZAMBAS) Integrated Agricultural Development Program (ZIADP) was developed through the collaborative efforts of the provinces of Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga del Norte and Basilan, and the cities of Zamboanga, Dapitan, Dipolog and Pagadian, all comprising Region IX;

WHEREAS, the ZIADP is the centerpiece program that will pursue the agricultural and fishery development and modernization of Region IX.

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 the following:

Section 1. Establishment of the ZAMBAS Regional Project Development Board. There is hereby established the ZAMBAS Regional Project Development Board, hereinafter referred to as the ZAMBAS Board, which shall oversee the implementation of the ZIADP in Region IX. The ZAMBAS Board shall be attached to the Office of the President.

Section 2. Composition of the ZAMBAS Board. The ZAMBAS Board shall be composed of the following: Chairman of the Regional Development Council (RDC) of Region IX; Provincial Governors of Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga del Norte and Basilan; Mayors of Zamboanga City, Dipolog City, Dapitan City, and Pagadian City; President of the Mayor ™s League of Region IX; the Representatives of the eight districts of Region IX; Regional Directors of the Department of Agriculture (DA), National Irrigation Administration (NIA), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), and National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA); and the Chairperson of the Regional Agriculture and Fisheries Council (RAFC). The Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson of the Board shall be elected from among its members.

Section 3. Powers and Functions of the ZAMBAS Board. ZAMBA Board shall have the following powers and functions:

1. Formulate policies and guidelines and establish development goals within the context of the ZIADP;
   
   
2. Supervise, facilitate, orchestrate, and provide overall direction on the planning, timely implementation, and monitoring of all Program components and development activities;
   
   
3. Pool existing resources and encourage the support and participation of government and non-government institutions by creating task forces of expedite implementation of major development projects;
   
   
4. Review and endorse for the approval of Region IX RDC, the ZIADP ™s multi-year and annual plans and investment programs;
   
   
5. Review and approve the organization of the Project Planning and Coordinating Office (PPCO), and formulate implementing rules and regulations pertaining to the internal operations of the Office;
   
   
6. Review and endorse to the DBM, through the RDC, the annual budget for the Program, as well as for the operations of the ZAMBAS Board and the PPCO;
   
   
7. Submit to the Office of the President, the RDC, the NEDA Board and Congress annual reports on the ZIADP and such other reports as may be required; and
   
   
8. Perform such other functions as may be required by President.
   

Section 4. The Project Planning and Coordinating Office. The PPCO is hereby established to serve as the technical and administrative secretariat of the Board. It shall be composed of representatives from the DA (as the lead agency), BFAR, DAR, DTI, and NIA.

Section 5. Duties and Functions of the PPCO. The PPCO shall determine the technical, financial and logistical requirements of the proposed activities as outlined in the ZIADPs Annual Work and Financial Plans; facilitate the release of funds; provide technical assistance; determine the feasibility and the management of the various sub-projects and activities to be implemented; monitor and evaluate the implementation of activities; coordinate the inputs of the various departments, agencies and entities involved in the implementation of the various activities; and perform project review.

Section 6. Coordination and Integration Mechanism. To promote harmonious working relationship and maintain an effective coordination mechanism among the development players in the area, the ZAMBAS Board, through the PPCO, shall closely coordinate with concerned agencies the sectoral plans and programs for the area to ensure integration and complementation of all development initiatives. Further, the ZAMBAS Board, through the PPCO, shall ensure that concerned agencies actively participate in meetings and consultations that the Board may initiate and hold.

Section 7. Funding. Funds necessary for the operation of the ZAMBAS Board and PPCO shall be sourced by the DBM from available resources, upon submission by the ZAMBAS Board of its work and financial plan.

Section 8. Separability Clause. If any part or provision of this Executive Order is held invalid or unconstitutional, the other parts or provisions not affected shall remain valid and effective.

Section 9. Effectivity. This Executive Order shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in two (2) newspapers of national circulation.

DONE in the City of Manila, this 5th day of October in the Year of Our Lord, Two Thousand.


By the President:

(Sgd.) RAMON B. ZAMORA
Executive Secretary