[ EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 35, July 25, 2023 ]
CONSTITUTING THE INTER-AGENCY COUNCIL FOR THE PASIG RIVER URBAN DEVELOPMENT
WHEREAS, Section 16, Article II of the Constitution declares it a policy of the State to protect and advance the people's right to a balanced and healthful ecology in accordance with the rhythm and harmony of nature;
WHEREAS, Executive Order (EO) No. 54 (s. 1999), as amended by EO No. 65 (s. 1999) created the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission (PRRC) to facilitate the rehabilitation of the Pasig River to its historically pristine condition conducive to transport, recreation and tourism;
WHEREAS, Administrative Order No. 16 (s. 2019) constituted the Manila Bay Task Force, and mandated the same to facilitate the robust and integrated implementation of all rehabilitation and restoration efforts at the Manila Bay;
WHEREAS, EO No. 93 (s. 2019) disestablished the PRRC, and transferred its powers and functions to the following, in accordance with their respective mandates: (i) Manila Bay Task Force; (ii) Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR); (iii) Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD); (iv) Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA); (v) Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH); and (vi) Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG);
WHEREAS, the Pasig River holds immense historical and cultural significance as a vital waterway which facilitates trade, transportation, and communication, and serves as a prominent landmark and tourist attraction;
WHEREAS, there is an urgent need to rehabilitate and enhance the quality of life along the banks of the Pasig River, its tributaries, and surrounding communities;
WHEREAS, the convergence of concerned national govenrment agencies is necessary to synchronize and strengthen inter-agency efforts to accelerate the implementation of policies, programs, and projects that aim to improve water quality, restore marine life, and develop the banks of the Pasig River, its tributaries, and surrounding communities; and
WHEREAS, Section 17, Article VII of the Constitution vests in the President the power of control over all executive departments, bureaus, and offices, and the mandate to ensure the faithful execution of laws;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND R. MARCOS, JR., President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Constitution and existing laws, do hereby order:
Section 1. Inter-Agency Council for the Pasig River Urban Development. The Inter-Agency Council for the Pasig River Urban Development ("Inter-Agency Council") is hereby created, to be composed of the following:
| Chairperson | : |
Secretary, DHSUD |
| Vice-Chairperson | : |
Chairperson, MMDA |
| Members | : |
Secretary, DPWH |
| Secretary, DENR | ||
| Secretary, DILG | ||
| Secretary, Department of Tourism | ||
| Secretary, Department of Transportation | ||
| Secretary, Department of Finance | ||
| Secretary, Department of Budget and Management | ||
| Chairperson, National Historical Commission of the Philippines | ||
| Chairperson, National Commission for Culture and the Arts | ||
| General Manager, Philippine Ports Authority | ||
| Commandant, Philippine Coast Guard | ||
| General Manager, Laguna Lake Development Authority | ||
| Chief Executive Officer, Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority |
The National Housing Authority shall serve as the Secretariat of the Inter-Agency Council, and shall provide administrative support to the member-agencies thereof.
The Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, and members of the Inter-Agency Council may designate their alternates, with ranks not lower than an Assistant Secretary or its equivalent, who are fully authorized to decide for or on their behalf.
Section 2. Powers and Functions. The Inter-Agency Council shall have general functions and responsibility of facilitating and ensuring the full rehabilitation of the banks along Pasig River water system and nearby water systems in order to provide alternative transportation, propel economic opportunities, and boost tourism activities. For this purpose, the Inter-Agency Council shall perform the following functions:
a. Formulate a Pasig River Urban Development Plan which shall serve as the blueprint for the rehabilitation of the banks along the Pasig River, its tributaries, and surrounding communities, with the end in view of realizing its fulls potential for mixed-use development, transportation, recreation, tourism, and sustainable human settlement, taking into consideration its historic and cultural value;
b. Implement a coordinated and integrated rehabilitation of the Pasig Riverbanks systems and nearby water systems, and the construction of necessary infrastructures in accordance with the Pasig River Urban Development Plan;
c. Ensure that easements provided under Republic Act No. 386 or the "Civil Code of the Philippines" and other relevant laws or issuances are observed, including all the esteros and waterways that drain into the Pasig River;
d. Study, prepare, and implement a comprehensive shelter plan for massive allocation of informal settler families (ISFs) and other unauthorized or unlawful occupants along the Pasig Riverbanks, which shall include: (i) identification of suitable relocation sites; (ii) strategies for economic and social integration of ISFs in the area; and (iii) long-term solutions to address ongoing migration into the Pasig Riverbanks'
e. Accept grants, contributions, donations, endowments, bequests, or gifts in cash or in kind from local and foreign sources in support of the formulation and implementation of the Pasig River Urban Development Plan, subject to existing laws, rules and regulations;
f. In coordination with concerned national government agencies and local government units (LGUs), conduct a review of exiting Presidential issuances relative to the rehabilitation and development of the Pasig River, and recommend to the Office of the President the repeal and/or amendment of the same; and
g. Perform such other functions as may be directed by the President;
As may be necessary, the Inter-Agency Council may call upon any government department, agency, bureau, or instrumentality, including government-owned or -controlled corporations, and invite LGUs and representatives from the private sector, to provide assistance in attaining its objectives. Subject to compliance with existing laws, rules and regulations, the Inter-Agency Council may facilitate public-private partnerships to ensure the effective and efficient implementation of this Order, as well as the Pasig River Urban Development Plan.
Section 3. Funding. The initial funding requirements necessary for the implementation of the Order shall be charged against the respective appropriations of the member-agencies of the Inter-Agency Council. Thereafter, the funding requirements necessary for the continued implementation of this Order shall be included in the budget proposals of said agencies, subject to the usual budget preparation process.
Section 4. Implementing Guidelines. The Inter-Agency Council shall formulate and issue guidelines as may be necessary for the effective implementation of this Order.
Section 5. Reporting. The Inter-Agency Council, through the DHSUD, is hereby directed to submit to the Office of the President, through the Office of the Executive Secretary, a quarterly status report on the implementation of this Order.
Section 6. Separability. If any section or part of this Order is declared unconstitutional or invalid, the other sections or provisions not otherwise affected shall remain in full force and effect.
Section 7. Repeal. All issuances, rules and regulations, or parts thereof that are inconsistent with this Order, are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
Section 8. Effectivity. This Order shall take effect immediately.
DONE, in the City of Manila, this 25th day of July, in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Twenty-Three.
(SGD.) FERDINAND R. MARCOS, JR.
By the President:
(SGD.) LUCAS P. BERSAMIN
Executive Secretary