EO 292 - Administrative Code of 1987

(1) Government of the Republic of the Philippines refers to the corporate governmental entity through which the functions of government are exercised throughout the Philippines, including, save as the contrary appears from the context, the various arms through which political authority is made effective in the Philippines, whether pertaining to the autonomous regions, the provincial, city, municipal or barangay subdivisions or other forms of local government.

(2) National Government refers to the entire machinery of the central government, as distinguished from the different forms of local governments.

(3) Local Government refers to the political subdivisions established by or in accordance with the Constitution.

(4) Agency of the Government refers to any of the various units of the Government, including a department, bureau, office, instrumentality, or government-owned or controlled corporations, or a local government or a distinct unit therein.

(5) National Agency refers to a unit of the National Government.

(6) Local Agency refers to a local government or a distinct unit therein.

(7) Department refers to an executive department created by law. For purposes of Book IV, this shall include any instrumentality, as herein defined, having or assigned the rank of a department, regardless of its name or designation.

(8) Bureau refers to any principal subdivision or unit of any department. For purposes of Book IV, this shall include any principal subdivision or unit of any instrumentality given or assigned the rank of a bureau, regardless of actual name or designation, as in the case of department-wide regional offices.

(9) Office refers, within the framework of governmental organization, to any major functional unit of a department or bureau including regional offices. It may also refer to any position held or occupied by individual persons, whose functions are defined by law or regulation.

(10) Instrumentality refers to any agency of the National Government, not integrated within the department framework vested within special functions or jurisdiction by law, endowed with some if not all corporate powers, administering special funds, and enjoying operational autonomy, usually through a charter. This term includes regulatory agencies, chartered institutions and government-owned or controlled corporations.

(11) Regulatory agency refers to any agency expressly vested with jurisdiction to regulate, administer or adjudicate matters affecting substantial rights and interests of private persons, the principal powers of which are exercised by a collective body, such as a commission, board or council.

(12) Chartered institution refers to any agency organized or operating under a special charter, and vested by law with functions relating to specific constitutional policies or objectives. This term includes the state universities and colleges and the monetary authority of the State.

(13) Government-owned or controlled corporation refers to any agency organized as a stock or non-stock corporation, vested with functions relating to public needs whether governmental or proprietary in nature, and owned by the Government directly or through its instrumentalities either wholly, or, where applicable as in the case of stock corporations, to the extent of at least fifty-one (51) per cent of its capital stock: Provided, That government-owned or controlled corporations may be further categorized by the Department of the Budget, the Civil Service Commission, and the Commission on Audit for purposes of the exercise and discharge of their respective powers, functions and responsibilities with respect to such corporations.

(14) "Officer" as distinguished from "clerk" or "employee", refers to a person whose duties, not being of a clerical or manual nature, involves the exercise of discretion in the performance of the functions of the government. When used with reference to a person having authority to do a particular act or perform a particular function in the exercise of governmental power, "officer" includes any government employee, agent or body having authority to do the act or exercise that function.

(15) "Employee", when used with reference to a person in the public service, includes any person in the service of the government or any of its agencies, divisions, subdivisions or instrumentalities.

(1) Those who are citizens of the Philippines at the time of the adoption of the Constitution;

(2) Those whose fathers or mothers are citizens of the Philippines;

(3) Those born before January 17, 1973, of Filipino mothers, who elect Philippine citizenship, unless by the act or omission they are deemed, under the law, to have renounced it.

(4) Those who are naturalized in accordance with law.

(1) The State shall be legally bound and responsible only through the acts performed in accordance with the Constitution and the laws by its duly authorized representatives.

(2) The State shall not be bound by the mistakes or errors of its officers or agents in the exercise of their functions.

(1) The flag of the Philippines shall be red, white and blue, with a sun and three stars, as consecrated and honored by the people and recognized by law.

(2) The custody, ceremonial use, occasion and manner of display, and the proper care and disposition of the flag shall be governed by appropriate rules and regulations.

(1) The Arms shall have paleways of two (2) pieces, azure and gules; a chief argent studded with three mullets equidistant from each other; and, in point of honor, ovoid argent over all the sun rayonnant with eight minor and lesser rays. Beneath shall be a scroll with the words "Republic of the Philippines, " or its equivalent in the national language, inscribed thereon.

(2) The Great Seal shall be circular in form, with the arms as described in the preceding paragraph, but without the scroll and the inscription thereon, and surrounding the whole, a double marginal circle within which shall appear the words "Republic of the Philippines," or its equivalent in the national language. For the purpose of placing the Great Seal, the color of the arms shall not be deemed essential.

(2) The terms "legal or regular holiday" and "special holiday", as used in laws, orders, rules and regulations or other issuances shall be referred to as "regular holiday" and "special day", respectively. lawphi1.net

(1) A public officer shall not be civilly liable for acts done in the performance of his official duties, unless there is a clear showing of bad faith, malice or gross negligence.

(2) Any public officer who, without just cause, neglects to perform a duty within a period fixed by law or regulation, or within a reasonable period if none is fixed, shall be liable for damages to the private party concerned without prejudice to such other liability as may be prescribed by law.

(3) A head of a department or a superior officer shall not be civilly liable for the wrongful acts, omissions of duty, negligence, or misfeasance of his subordinates, unless he has actually authorized by written order the specific act or misconduct complained of.

(1) The following officers have general authority to administer oath: Notaries public, members of the judiciary, clerks of courts, the Secretary of the either House of the Congress of the Philippines, of departments, bureau directors, registers of deeds, provincial governors and lieutenant-governors, city mayors, municipal mayors and any other officer in the service of the government of the Philippines whose appointment is vested in the President.

(2) Oaths may also be administered by any officer whose duties, as defined by law or regulation, require presentation to him of any statement under oath..

(1) For property belonging to and titled in the name of the Republic of the Philippines, by the President, unless the authority therefor is expressly vested by law in another officer.

(2) For property belonging to the Republic of the Philippines but titled in the name of any political subdivision or of any corporate agency or instrumentality, by the executive head of the agency or instrumentality.

(1) Contracts in behalf of the Republic of the Philippines shall be executed by the President unless authority therefor is expressly vested by law or by him in any other public officer.

(2) Contracts in behalf of the political subdivisions and corporate agencies or instrumentalities shall be approved by their respective governing boards or councils and executed by their respective executive heads.

(1) The Philippines is a democratic and republican State. Sovereignty resides in the people and all government authority emanates from them.

(2) The State values the dignity of every human person and guarantees full respect for human rights.

(3) Civilian authority is, at all times, supreme over the military.

(4) The State shall ensure the autonomy of local governments.

(5) The territorial and political subdivisions of the Republic of the Philippines are the provinces, cities, municipalities, and barangays. There shall be autonomous regions, in accordance with the Constitution, in Muslim Mindanao and the Cordilleras as may be provided by law.

(6) The separation of Church and State shall be inviolable.

(7) The right of the people and their organizations to effective and reasonable participation at all levels of social, political, and economic decision-making shall not be abridged. The State shall, by law, facilitate the establishment of adequate consultation mechanisms.

(8) The powers expressly vested in any branch of the Government shall not be exercised by, nor delegated to, any other branch of the Government, except to the extent authorized by the Constitution.

(1) No Senator or Member of the House of Representatives may hold any other office or employment in the Government, or any subdivision agency, or instrumentality thereof, including government-owned or controlled corporations or their subsidiaries, during his term without forfeiting his seat. Neither shall he be appointed to any office which may have been created or the emoluments thereof increased during the term for which he was elected.

(2) No Senator or Member of the House of Representatives may personally appear as counsel before any court of justice or before the Electoral Tribunals, or quasi-judicial and other administrative bodies. Neither shall he, directly or indirectly, be interested financially in any contract with, or in any franchise or special privilege granted by the Government, or any subdivision, agency or instrumentality thereof including any government-owned or controlled corporation, or its subsidiary, during his term of office. He shall not intervene in any matter before any office of the Government for his pecuniary benefit or where he may be called upon to act on account of his office.

(1) Any amendment to, or revision of the Constitution may be proposed by: (a) The Congress, upon a vote of three-fourths (3/4) of all its Members; or (b) a constitutional convention. The Congress may, by a vote of two-thirds (2/3) of all its Members, call a constitutional convention, or by a majority vote of all its Members, submit to the electorate the question of calling such a convention.

(2) Amendments to the Constitution may likewise be directly proposed by the people through initiative upon a petition of at least twelve (12) per centum of the total number of registered voters, of which every legislative district must be represented by at least three (3) per centum of the registered voters therein. No amendments under this paragraph shall be authorized within five years following the ratification of the 1987 Constitution nor oftener than once every five years thereafter. The Congress shall provide for the implementation of the exercise of this right.

(1) Any amendment to or revision of the Constitution proposed by Congress or a constitutional convention shall be valid when ratified by a majority of the votes cast in a plebiscite which shall be held not earlier than sixty days (60) nor later than ninety days (90) after the approval of such amendment or revision.

(2) Any amendment to or revision of the Constitution directly proposed by the people through initiative shall be valid when ratified by a majority of the votes cast in a plebiscite which shall be held not earlier than sixty days (60) nor later than ninety days (90) after the certification by the Commission on Elections of the sufficiency of the petition.

(1) Exercise original jurisdiction over cases affecting ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls, and over petitions for certiorari, prohibition, mandamus, quo warranto, and habeas corpus.

(2) Review, revise, reverse, modify, or affirm on appeal or certiorari as the law or the Rules of Court may provide, final judgments and orders of lower courts in:

(3) Assign temporarily judges of lower courts to other stations as public interest may require. Such temporary assignment shall not exceed six (6) months without the consent of the judge concerned.

(4) Order a change of venue or place of trial to avoid a miscarriage of justice.

(5) Promulgate rules concerning the protection and enforcement of constitutional rights, pleading, practice, and procedure in all courts, the admission to the practice of law, the Integrated Bar, and legal assistance to the underprivileged. Such rules shall provide a simplified and inexpensive procedure for the speedy disposition of cases, shall be uniform for all courts of the same grade; and shall not diminish, increase, or modify substantive rights. Rules of procedure of special courts and quasi-judicial bodies shall remain effective unless disapproved by the Supreme Court.

(6) Appoint all officials and employees of the Judiciary in accordance with the Civil Service law.

(1) A Judicial and Bar Council is hereby created under the supervision of the Supreme Court composed of the Chief Justice as ex officio Chairman, the Secretary of Justice, and a representative of the Congress as ex officio Member, a representative of the Integrated Bar, a professor of law, a retired Member of the Supreme Court, and a representative of the private sector.

(2) The regular members of the Council shall be appointed by the President for a term of four (4) years with the consent of the Commission of Appointments. Of the Members first appointed, the representative of the Integrated Bar shall serve for four (4) years, the professor of law for three (3) years, the retired Justice for two (2) years, and the representative of the private sector for one (1) year.

(3) The Clerk of the Supreme Court shall be the Secretary ex officio of the Council and shall keep a record of its proceedings.

(4) The regular Members of the Council shall receive such emoluments as may be determined by the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court shall provide in its annual budget the appropriations for the Council.

(5) The Council shall have the principal function of recommending appointees to the Judiciary. It may exercise such other functions and duties as the Supreme Court may assign to it.

(1) The President shall have the power to reserve for settlement or public use, and for specific public purposes, any of the lands of the public domain, the use of which is not otherwise directed by law. The reserved land shall thereafter remain subject to the specific public purpose indicated until otherwise provided by law or proclamation;

(2) He shall also have the power to reserve from sale or other disposition and for specific public uses or purposes, any land belonging to the private domain of the Government, or any of the Friar Lands, the use of which is not otherwise directed by law, and thereafter such land shall be used for the purposes specified by such proclamation until otherwise provided by law.

(1) The President may temporarily designate an officer already in the government service or any other competent person to perform the functions of an office in the executive branch, appointment to which is vested in him by law, when: (a) the officer regularly appointed to the office is unable to perform his duties by reason of illness, absence or any other cause; or (b) there exists a vacancy;

(2) The person designated shall receive the compensation attached to the position, unless he is already in the government service in which case he shall receive only such additional compensation as, with his existing salary, shall not exceed the salary authorized by law for the position filled. The compensation hereby authorized shall be paid out of the funds appropriated for the office or agency concerned.

(3) In no case shall a temporary designation exceed one (1) year.

(1) The Office of the President Proper shall consist of the Private Office, the Executive Office, the Common Staff Support System, and the Presidential Special Assistants/Advisers System;

(2) The Executive Office refers to the Offices of the Executive Secretary, Deputy Executive Secretaries and Assistant Executive Secretaries;

(3) The Common Staff Support System embraces the offices or units under the general categories of development and management, general government administration and internal administration; and

(4) The President Special Assistants/Advisers System includes such special assistants or advisers as may be needed by the President.

(1) Directly assist the President in the management of the affairs pertaining to the Government of the Republic of the Philippines;

(2) Implement presidential directives, orders and decisions;

(3) Decide, for and in behalf of the President, matters not requiring personal presidential attention;

(4) Exercise supervision and control over the various units in the Office of the President Proper including their internal administrative requirements;

(5) Exercise supervision, in behalf of the President, over the various agencies under the Office of the President;

(6) Appoint officials and employees of the Office of the President whose appointments are not vested in the President;

(7) Provide overall coordination in the operation of the Executive Office;

(8) Determine and assign matters to the appropriate units in the Office of the President;

(9) Have administrative responsibility for matters in the Office of the President coming from the various departments and agencies of government;

(10) Exercise primary authority to sign papers "By authority of the President", attest executive orders and other presidential issuances unless attestation is specifically delegated to other officials by him or by the President;

(11) Determine, with the President's approval, the appropriate assignment of offices and agencies not placed by law under any specific executive department;

(12) Provide consultative, research, fact-finding and advisory service to the President;

(13) Assist the President in the performance of functions pertaining to legislation;

(14) Assist the President in the administration of special projects;

(15) Take charge of matters pertaining to protocol in State and ceremonial functions;

(16) Provide secretarial and clerical services for the President, the Cabinet, the Council of State, and other advisory bodies to the President

(17) Promulgate such rules and regulations necessary to carry out the objectives, policies and functions of the Office of the President Proper;

(1) The Cabinet Secretariat which shall assist the President in the establishment of agenda topics for the Cabinet deliberation, or facilitate the discussion of cabinet meetings. It shall have such organization, powers and functions as are prescribed by law;

(2) The Presidential Management Staff (PMS) which shall be the primary governmental agency directly responsible to the Office of the President for providing staff assistance in the Presidential exercise of overall management of the development process. It shall have such organization, powers and functions as are prescribed by law;

(3) General Government Administration Staff which shall provide the President with staff support on matters concerning general government administration relative to the operations of the national government including the provision of legal services, administrative services, staff work on political and legislative matters, information and assistance to the general public, measures toward resolution of complaints against public officials and employees brought to the attention of the Office of the President and such other matters as the President may assign;

(4) Internal Administrative Staff which shall render auxiliary and support services for the internal administration of the Office of the President.

(1) Restructure the internal organization of the Office of the President Proper, including the immediate Offices, the Presidential Special Assistants/Advisers System and the Common staff Support System, by abolishing, consolidating or merging units thereof or transferring functions from one unit to another;

(2) Transfer any function under the Office of the President to any other Department or Agency as well as transfer functions to the Office of the President from other Departments and Agencies; and

(3) Transfer any agency under the Office of the President to any other department or agency as well as transfer agencies to the Office of the President from other departments or agencies.

(1) The Departments shall be organized and maintained to insure their capacity to plan and implement programs in accordance with established national policies;

(2) Bureaus and offices shall be grouped primarily on the basis of major functions to achieve simplicity, economy and efficiency in government operations and minimize duplication and overlapping of activities; and

(3) The functions of the different Departments shall be decentralized in order to reduce red tape, free central officials from administrative details concerning field operations, and relieve them from unnecessary involvement in routine and local matters. Adequate authority shall be delegated to subordinate officials. Administrative decisions and actions shall, as much as feasible, be at the level closest to the public.

(1) Unless otherwise provided in this Code or by law, the Department proper shall include the Office of the Secretary and the staff consist of the Secretary and the Undersecretary or Undersecretaries, together with the personnel in their immediate offices;

(2) Every Secretary shall be assisted by such number of Undersecretaries as may be provided for by this Code or by law;

The Undersecretary shall perform the functions as provided in Chapter 2 of this Book;

(3) Whenever necessary, Assistant Secretary position or positions may be created to form part of the Department proper; and

(4) In the absence of special provisions, the major staff units of each department shall be the services which shall include: the Planning Service, the Financial and Management Service, the Administrative Service, and when necessary, the Technical and Legal Services.

(1) Advise the President in issuing executive orders, regulations, proclamations and other issuances, the promulgation of which is expressly vested by law in the President relative to matters under the jurisdiction of the Department;

(2) Establish the policies and standards for the operation of the Department pursuant to the approved programs of governments;

(3) Promulgate rules and regulations necessary to carry out department objectives, policies, functions, plans, programs and projects;

(4) Promulgate administrative issuances necessary for the efficient administration of the offices under the Secretary and for proper execution of the laws relative thereto. These issuances shall not prescribe penalties for their violation, except when expressly authorized by law;

(5) Exercise disciplinary powers over officers and employees under the Secretary in accordance with law, including their investigation and the designation of a committee or officer to conduct such investigation;

(6) Appoint all officers and employees of the Department except those whose appointments are vested in the President or in some other appointing authority; Provided, however, that where the Department is regionalized on a department-wide basis, the Secretary shall appoint employees to positions in the second level in the regional offices as defined in this Code;

(7) Exercise jurisdiction over all bureaus, offices, agencies and corporations under the Department as are provided by law, and in accordance with the applicable relationships as specified in Chapters 7, 8, and 9 of this Book;

(8) Delegate authority to officers and employees under the Secretary's direction in accordance with this Code; and

(9) Perform such other functions as may be provided by law.

(1) Advise and assist the Secretary in the formulation and implementation of department objectives and policies;

(2) Oversee all the operational activities of the department for which he shall be responsible to the Secretary;

(3) Coordinate the programs and projects of the department and be responsible for its economical, efficient and effective administration;

(4) Serve as deputy to the Secretary in all matters relating to the operations of the department;

(5) Temporarily discharge the duties of the Secretary in the latter's absence or inability to discharge his duties for any cause or in case of vacancy of the said office, unless otherwise provided by law. Where there are more than one Undersecretary, the Secretary shall allocate the foregoing powers and duties among them. The President shall likewise make the temporary designation of Acting Secretary from among them; and

(6) Perform such other functions and duties as may be provided by law.

(1) A Bureau is any principal subdivision of the department performing a single major function or closely related functions. Bureaus are either staff or line.

(2) Each bureau shall be headed by a Director who may have one or more Assistant Directors as provided by law; and

(3) Each bureau may have as many divisions as are provided by law for the economical, efficient and effective performance of its functions.

(1) A staff bureau shall primarily perform policy, program development and advisory functions.

(2) The Director of a staff bureau shall:

(3) The staff bureau shall avail itself of the planning, financial and administrative services in the department proper. The bureau may have a separate administrative division, if circumstances so warrant.

(1) A line bureau shall directly implement programs adopted pursuant to department policies and plans.

(2) The Director of a line bureau shall:

(1) Whenever the function or activity of a department or agency requires central or interregional action, the function may be performed by the regional offices under the supervision and control of the department proper or line bureau concerned.

(2) The staff bureau or division shall perform primarily advisory or auxiliary functions and exercise in behalf of the department or agency functional supervision over the regional offices. This shall include authority to develop and set down standards, policies and procedures to be implemented by operating units, and to evaluate continuously such implementation for the purpose of recommending or when authorized, taking corrective measures.

(1) A regional office shall:

(2) District offices may be established only in cases of clear necessity.

(1) Implement laws, policies, rules and regulations within the responsibility of the agency;

(2) Implement agency programs in the region;

(3) Exercise the management functions of planning organizing, directing and controlling

(4) Appoint personnel to positions in the first level and casual and seasonal employees; and exercise disciplinary actions over them in accordance with the Civil Service Law;

(5) Approve sick, vacation and maternity leaves of absence with or without pay, for a period not beyond one year;

(6) Prepare and submit budget proposals for the region to the central office, administer the budget of the regional office, authorize disbursement of funds pursuant to approved financial and work programs, and administer the budget control machinery in the region;

(7) Approve requisition for supplies, materials and equipment, as well as books and periodicals, and other items for the region, in accordance with the approved supply procurement program;

(8) Negotiate and enter into contracts for services or furnishing supplies, materials and equipment to the regional office involving an amount not exceeding fifty thousand pesos (P50,000.00) within a given quarter, provided that authority in excess of fifty thousand pesos (P50,000.00) may be further authorized by the proper department or agency head;

(9) Approve claims for benefits under existing laws;

(10) Approve requests for overtime services;

(11) Promote coordination among the regional offices, and between his regional office and local government units in the region;

(12) Provide housekeeping services for the regional office;

(13) Approve application of personnel for permission to teach, exercise a profession, or engage in business outside of office hours in accordance with standards and guidelines of the Civil Service Commission;

(14) Issue travel vouchers authorizing employees to travel on official business within the region for a period not exceeding thirty days;

(15) Approve attendance of personnel in conferences, seminars, and non-degree training programs within the region;

(16) Authorize the allocation of funds to provincial/district offices; and

(17) Perform such other duties and functions as may be provided by law or further delegated by the head of agency or other proper authorities concerned.

(1) Assistant heads and other subordinates in every bureau or office shall perform such duties as may be required by law or regulations, or as may be specified by their superiors not otherwise inconsistent with law;

(2) The head of bureau or office may, in the interest of economy, designate the assistant head to act as chief of any division or unit within the organization, in addition to his duties, without additional compensation; and

(3) In the absence of special restriction prescribed by law, nothing shall prevent a subordinate officer or employee from being assigned additional duties by proper authority, when not inconsistent with the performance of the duties imposed by law.

(1) The head of each bureau or office shall, consistent with law, rules and regulations, prescribe the form and fix the amount of all bonds executed by private parties to the government under the laws pertaining to his bureau or office. He shall pass on the sufficiency of the security and retain possession of the bond.

(2) When it appears that any such bond is insufficient, the head may require additional security. He may withdraw the privilege secured by the bond upon failure of the party to give additional security within the period fixed in the notice, but such an action shall be without prejudice to the liability of any person or property already obligated.

(1) The head of a bureau or office shall prescribe forms and issue circulars or orders to secure the harmonious and efficient administration of his bureau or office and to carry into full effect the laws relating to matters within his jurisdiction. Penalties shall not be prescribed in any circular or order for its violation, except as expressly allowed by law;

(2) Heads of bureaus or offices are authorized to issue orders regarding the administration of their internal affairs for the guidance of or compliance by their officers and employees;

(3) Regional directors are authorized to issue circulars of purely information or implementing nature and orders relating to the administration of the internal affairs of regional offices and units within their supervision; and

(4) Issuances under paragraphs (2) and (3) hereof shall not require, for their effectivity, approval by the Secretary or other authority.

(1) All heads of bureaus or offices of the national government shall render annual reports to their respective Secretaries on or before the last day of February of each year.

(2) The reports shall contain concise statements of accomplishments and assessment of the progress attained in terms of approved programs and projects, including pertinent financial statements on expenditures incurred in their implementation during the calendar year. Broad recommendations and plans for undertaking work during the ensuing period shall be included together with matters specifically required by law or regulation to be incorporated therein.

(1) Supervision and Control. - Supervision and control shall include authority to act directly whenever a specific function is entrusted by law or regulation to a subordinate; direct the performance of duty; restrain the commission of acts; review, approve, reverse or modify acts and decisions of subordinate officials or units; determine priorities in the execution of plans and programs; and prescribe standards, guidelines, plans and programs. Unless a different meaning is explicitly provided in the specific law governing the relationship of particular agencies, the word "control" shall encompass supervision and control as defined in this paragraph.

(2) Administrative Supervision. - (a) Administrative supervision which shall govern the administrative relationship between a department or its equivalent and regulatory agencies or other agencies as may be provided by law, shall be limited to the authority of the department or its equivalent to generally oversee the operations of such agencies and to insure that they are managed effectively, efficiently and economically but without interference with day-to-day activities; or require the submission of reports and cause the conduct of management audit, performance evaluation and inspection to determine compliance with policies, standards and guidelines of the department; to take such action as may be necessary for the proper performance of official functions, including rectification of violations, abuses and other forms of maladministration; and to review and pass upon budget proposals of such agencies but may not increase or add to them;

(b) Such authority shall not, however, extend to: (1) appointments and other personnel actions in accordance with the decentralization of personnel functions under the Code, except appeal is made from an action of the appointing authority, in which case the appeal shall be initially sent to the department or its equivalent, subject to appeal in accordance with law; (2) contracts entered into by the agency in the pursuit of its objectives, the review of which and other procedures related thereto shall be governed by appropriate laws, rules and regulations; and (3) the power to review, reverse, revise, or modify the decisions of regulatory agencies in the exercise of their regulatory or quasi-judicial functions; and

(c) Unless a different meaning is explicitly provided in the specific law governing the relationship of particular agencies, the word "supervision" shall encompass administrative supervision as defined in this paragraph.

(3) Attachment. - (a) This refers to the lateral relationship between the department or its equivalent and the attached agency or corporation for purposes of policy and program coordination. The coordination may be accomplished by having the department represented in the governing board of the attached agency or corporation, either as chairman or as a member, with or without voting rights, if this is permitted by the charter; having the attached corporation or agency comply with a system of periodic reporting which shall reflect the progress of programs and projects; and having the department or its equivalent provide general policies through its representative in the board, which shall serve as the framework for the internal policies of the attached corporation or agency;

(b) Matters of day-to-day administration or all those pertaining to internal operations shall be left to the discretion or judgment of the executive officer of the agency or corporation. In the event that the Secretary and the head of the board or the attached agency or corporation strongly disagree on the interpretation and application of policies, and the Secretary is unable to resolve the disagreement, he shall bring the matter to the President for resolution and direction;

(c) Government-owned or controlled corporations attached to a department shall submit to the Secretary concerned their audited financial statements within sixty (60) days after the close of the fiscal year; and

(d) Pending submission of the required financial statements, the corporation shall continue to operate on the basis of the preceding year's budget until the financial statements shall have been submitted. Should any government-owned or controlled corporation incur an operation deficit at the close of its fiscal year, it shall be subject to administrative supervision of the department; and the corporation's operating and capital budget shall be subject to the department's examination, review, modification and approval.

(1) The Secretary shall have supervision and control over the bureaus, offices, and agencies under him, subject to the following guidelines:

(2) This Chapter shall not apply to chartered institutions or government-owned or controlled corporations attached to the department.

(1) Line bureaus of a department shall exercise supervision and control over their regional and other field offices. They shall be directly responsible for the development and implementation of plans and programs within their respective functional specializations; and

(2) The regional and other field offices shall constitute the operating arms of the bureau concerned for the direct implementation of the plans and programs drawn up in accordance with approved policies and standards. As counterparts of the bureau in the region, they shall undertake bureau operations within their respective jurisdictions, and be directly responsible to their bureau director.

(1) A regulatory agency shall be subject to the administrative supervision of the department under which they are placed, except when they are government corporations in which case they shall be governed by the provisions of the preceding section;

(2) The heads of regulatory agencies shall submit annually, for the approval of the Secretary concerned, their budgets and work plans which shall be the basis of their day-to-day operations; and

(3) The regulatory agencies may avail themselves of the common auxiliary and management services of the department as may be convenient and economical for their operations.

(1) Circulars shall refer to issuances prescribing policies, rules and regulations, and procedures promulgated pursuant to law, applicable to individuals and organizations outside the Government and designed to supplement provisions of the law or to provide means for carrying them out, including information relating thereto; and

(2) Orders shall refer to issuances directed to particular offices, officials, or employees, concerning specific matters including assignments, detail and transfer of personnel, for observance or compliance by all concerned.

(1) The Records Management and Archives Office in the General Services Administration shall provide such assistance as may be necessary to effect general adherence to the foregoing classification of issuances, including the conduct of studies for developing sub-classifications and guidelines to meet peculiar needs; and

(2) All administrative issuances of a general or permanent character shall be compiled, indexed and published pursuant to the provisions of this Code.

(1) For services required by law to be rendered for a fee, for supplies furnished, or articles of any kind sold to other divisions of the government or to any person, the head of bureau, office or agency may, upon approval of the Secretary charge and collect the cost of the service, supplies, or articles or other rate in excess of cost prescribed by law or approved by the same authority. For local governments, the rate, except where otherwise prescribed by law, shall be affixed at cost or at such other reasonable rate in excess of cost by the boards or councils concerned;

(2) The officer authorized to fix the amount to be paid for service rendered and supplies or articles furnished or sold may recommend that the whole or part of any sum so paid be refunded, upon approval of the Commission on Audit.

a. In times of emergencies arising from natural calamities where immediate action is necessary to prevent imminent loss of life or property, in which case, direct negotiation or simplified bidding may be undertaken;

b. Failure to award the contract after competitive public bidding for valid cause or causes, in which case, simplified bidding may be undertaken; and

c. Where the construction project covered by the contract is adjacent or contiguous to an on-going project and it could be economically prosecuted by the same contractor, in which case, direct negotiation may be undertaken with the said contractor at the same unit prices and contract conditions, less mobilization costs, provided that he has no negative slippage and has demonstrated a satisfactory performance. Otherwise, the contract shall be awarded through public bidding.

a. A Chairman (regular) who should at least be a third ranking official of the department/agency/implementing Office;

b. An Executive Officer and Secretary (regular) who is a Legal Officer of the department/office/implementing office;

c. A Technical Member (regular) to be designated by the Secretary or the head of the office/agency/implementing office;

d. Two members (provisional) with experience in the type of project to be bidded and in project management, duly designated by the Secretary or the head of the office/implementing office on a project-to-project basis; and

e. A representative from at least one of the following organizations who shall be a non-voting member:

1. During the prequalification stage, the representative to be invited shall come from the Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants; and

2. In the bidding, bid evaluation and award stages, a representative each from the Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants and from the Philippine Contractors Association or the National Confederation of Contractors Associations of the Philippines, Inc. shall be invited as non-voting members of the Prequalification, Bids and Awards Committee without prejudice to inviting another representative/s from any of the other organizations mentioned above.

(1) The Solicitor General, if the dispute, claim or controversy involves only departments, bureaus, offices and other agencies of the National Government as well as government-owned or controlled corporations or entities of whom he is the principal law officer or general counsel; and

(2) The Secretary of Justice, in all other cases not falling under paragraph (1).

(1) Conduct the country's foreign relations;

(2) Maintain and develop the country's representation with foreign governments;

(3) Conduct Philippine representation in the United Nations, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and other international and regional organizations;

(4) Serve as the channel for matters involving foreign relations, including official communications to and from the Republic of the Philippines;

(5) Negotiate treaties and other agreements pursuant to instructions of the President, and in coordination with other government agencies;

(6) Promote trade, investments, tourism and other economic relations with other countries in cooperation with other government agencies;

(7) Foster cultural relations with other countries and protect and enhance the Philippines' image abroad;

(8) Undertake efforts to inform the international community about the Philippines in cooperation with other government agencies;

(9) Protect and assist Philippine nationals abroad;

(10) Carry out legal documentation functions as provided for by law and regulations;

(11) Monitor and analyze events in other countries and report them, as appropriate, to the President and other government agencies;

(12) Initiate, formulate, integrate and submit to the President short, medium, and long-range foreign policy plans and programs in cooperation with other government agencies;

(13) Supervise and direct officials and employees assigned by the Department and other government agencies to Foreign Service establishments abroad in accordance with the pertinent laws, rules and inter-agency agreements;

(14) Recruit, maintain and develop a professional career foreign service based on merit; and

(15) Perform such other functions as may be provided by law.

(1) Foreign Service Institute. - The Foreign Service Institute shall continue to operate under its charter, and shall have the following main objectives and responsibilities:

(2) UNESCO National Commission of the Philippines. - The United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) National Commission of the Philippines shall, in coordination with the Office of United Nations and other international organizations, advise the Philippine Government and the Philippine delegation to the UNESCO Conference, on matters relating to UNESCO, and shall function as a liaison agency on matters pertaining to the Commission.

(3) Technical Assistance Council. - The Technical Assistance Council shall continue to perform its present functions including the conduct and expansion of its programs.

(1) Geographical Offices. - The following offices shall be responsible for providing staff support and policy guidance in the coordination, supervision, monitoring, integration, and reporting of the activities and operations of Philippine diplomatic missions and establishments within their geographical coverage:

(2) Office of ASEAN Affairs. - The Office of ASEAN Affairs shall be responsible for Philippine participation and negotiation, as well as providing staff support and policy guidance in the coordination, supervision, monitoring, integration, reporting and operations of the Philippine Government in the ASEAN.

(3) Office of the United Nations and Other International Organizations. - The Office of the United Nations and other International Organizations shall be responsible for Philippine participation and negotiation as well as providing staff support and policy guidance in the coordination, supervision, monitoring, integration, reporting and operations of the Philippine Government in the United Nations, its specialized agencies and other international organizations. It shall also serve as the secretariat of all Philippine National Commissions and Councils created pursuant to commitments in the United Nations and its specialized agencies.

(4) Office of International Economic Affairs and Development. - The Office of International Economic Affairs and Development shall be responsible for conducting programs and activities of the Department in the fields of international trade, finance and economics; coordinate with the regional offices and the Office of United Nations and International Organizations; and, in coordination with the Department of Trade and Industry, conduct trade and investment promotion activities of the Department.

(5) Office of Cultural Affairs and Public Information Services. - The Office of Cultural Affairs and Public Information Services shall be responsible for promoting the cultural and public information program of the Government abroad and for the development and dissemination of information and the coordination of information activities on the Government's foreign and domestic policies.

(6) Office of Personnel and Administrative Services. - The Office of Personnel and Administrative Services shall be responsible for the efficient management of human resources and administrative support services, and shall make appropriate recommendations, including those concerning job classification, salary administration, benefits, retirement, and awards to deserving members of the Foreign Service.

(7) Office of Financial Management Services. - The Office of Financial Management Services shall be responsible for budgetary, financial and accounting services in the Department and the Foreign Service.

(8) Office of Consular Services. - The Office of Consular Services shall be responsible for the efficient and effective delivery of passport, visa and authentication services. It shall also extend assistance to Filipino nationals both here and abroad.

(1) Assist the Secretary on all matters regarding data banking and information retrieval;

(2) Establish, develop and maintain a computerized foreign-relations data bank for the Department;

(3) Establish, develop and maintain both domestic and foreign service communications systems, including efficient flow systems for all correspondence between and among all Department units;

(4) Establish, develop and maintain the records system of the entire Department;

(5) Provide technical assistance to any service, office, or attached agency of the Department, on matters within its competence; and

(6) Perform such other functions as may be assigned by the Secretary.

(1) Represent the Philippines abroad and promote friendly relations with other countries in all fields;

(2) Protect national interests and the interests of Filipino nationals abroad;

(3) Ascertain and evaluate conditions and developments abroad and report thereon to the Department Head;

(4) Serve as channels of communication between the Government of the Philippines and foreign governments; and

(5) Perform such other functions provided by law.

(1) Protect national interests abroad and promote foreign relations in all fields, particularly in the economic and trade areas;

(2) Ascertain and evaluate conditions and developments abroad in the commercial, economic, cultural and scientific fields and report thereon to the Department Head;

(3) Issue passports and travel documents to Filipino nationals, and visas or appropriate documents to foreign nationals desiring to travel to the Philippines;

(4) Protect the interests of Filipino nationals abroad, provide necessary services and assistance, and perform notarial functions allowed by regulations;

(5) Transmit judicial and extra-judicial documents and execute letters rogatory or commissions to receive evidence abroad for Philippine courts;

(6) Supervise and inspect in accordance with laws and regulations of the Philippines, vessels and aircrafts and their crews; and

(1) The authority to appoint attaches shall be vested in the Head of the Department or agency maintaining the attache service, who shall consult with the Secretary of Foreign Affairs on such appointments.

(2) A Department or agency shall have only one attache accredited to it by the receiving government, except military attaches.

(3) The designation of attaches shall apply only to those serving in diplomatic missions. Those assigned to consular establishments shall be designated as representatives.

Except in extraordinary cases, each foreign service establishment shall have only military, labor, revenue, tourism, information and commercial attaches.

In the event of the actual need for more than one attache, as determined by the department or agency in consultation with the Department of Foreign Affairs, the succeeding attache shall be accredited as assistant attache.

(1) Except as the President may appoint, no officer of the Philippine government stationed abroad, outside the Department of Foreign Affairs, shall be assigned assimilated ranks higher than Foreign Service Officer Class I.

(2) The assignment of assimilated rank personnel of the Philippine government stationed abroad shall remain with the President who shall act on the basis of recommendations of the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Budget and Management.

(3) The assimilated ranks are for purposes of compensation only and shall not confer diplomatic rank for purposes of protocol. Civil attaches shall always rank after the lowest ranking Foreign Service officer in the post.

(1) Chiefs of Missions

(2) Counsellors

(3) Foreign Service Officers

(4) Foreign Service Staff Officers

(5) Foreign Service Staff Employees

(6) Honorary Consuls

(7) Alien Employees

(1) A Chief of Mission may be assigned as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Head of an Office in the Department, or Deputy Chief of Mission.

(2) A Counsellor may be assigned as Executive Officer of an Office in the Department, Counsellor in an Embassy, or Head of a Consular Post.

(3) The assignments of the other classes of Foreign Service Officers shall be as follows:

(4) In the home office, assignment to a position requiring a rank higher than the actual rank of the Foreign Service Officer shall be in an acting capacity.

(5) A Foreign Service Officer in any class may be designated as a special assistant to the Secretary or to an Undersecretary. A Foreign Service Officer below the rank of Class I may be designated as Principal Assistant to a Head of Office.

(1) Foreign Service Officers shall be appointed by the President.

(2) No person shall be eligible for appointment as Foreign Service Officers unless he has passed the competitive examinations given by the Board of Foreign Service Examiners and successfully completed his probationary service.

(3) The Secretary shall, upon the recommendation of the Board of Foreign Service, submit to the President names of eligibles for appointment as Foreign Service Officers. The initial appointment of Foreign Service Officers shall only be to Foreign Service Officers Class IV minimum.

(1) For promotion to Chief of Mission Class I, the candidate must have served as a Chief of Mission Class II and rendered continuous service as Foreign Service Officer for at least twelve (12) years;

(2) For promotion to Chief of Mission Class II, the candidate must have served as a Foreign Service Officer Class I and rendered continuous service as Foreign Service Officer for at least ten years;

(3) For promotion to Foreign Service Officer Class I, the candidate must have served as a Foreign Service Officer Class II, and rendered continuous service as Foreign Service Officer for at least eight years;

(4) For promotion to Foreign Service Officer Class II, the candidate must have served as Foreign Service Officer Class III, and rendered continuous service as Foreign Service Officer for at least six years;

(5) For promotion to Foreign Service Officer Class III, the candidate must have rendered continuous service as a Foreign Service Officer Class IV for at least two years.

(1) Promotions of Foreign Service Officers from one class to the next higher class shall be made by the President upon the recommendation of the Secretary. All promotions shall be to the lowest grade of the class.

(2) Promotion in grade within the class shall be made by the Secretary upon the recommendation of the Board of Foreign Service Administration.

(1) The tour of duty of a Foreign Service Officer at any post shall be four (4) years commencing on the date of his arrival at the post, after which he shall be transferred to another post;

(2) The tour of duty of a Foreign Service Staff Officer or Employee at any post shall be for a period of six (6) years commencing on the date of his arrival at the post, after which he shall be transferred to another post;

(3) No Foreign Service Officer, Staff Officer or Employee shall serve more than two (2) consecutive tours of duty abroad;

(4) No Foreign Service Officer may serve more than four (4) consecutive years in the home office, except when designated as Secretary or Undersecretary.

(1) Any Foreign Service Officer, Staff Officer or Employee who has reached the age of sixty-five (65) shall be compulsorily retired from the services unless his service is extended by the President in the interest of the service. Alien employees shall be allowed to retire from the service at the same age as that provided for employees of the governments of their respective countries, provided that retirement age shall not be beyond sixty-five (65) years.

(2) Foreign Service Officers reinstated to the service after retirement and who are assigned abroad as ambassadors or chief of mission, and persons who are appointed as ambassadors without previously serving as Career Foreign Service Officers shall be considered automatically separated from the Foreign Service upon termination of their assignment abroad as ambassadors or chief of missions.

(1) Formulate long-range, medium-term and annual plans covering the government's resources mobilization efforts, in coordination with other concerned government agencies, and involving all public sector resources whether generated by revenues and operations, foreign and domestic borrowing, sale or privatization of corporations or assets, or from other sources, and supervise the implementation of such plans;

(2) Formulate, institutionalize and administer fiscal and tax policies;

(3) Supervise, direct and control the collection of government revenues;

(4) Act as custodian and manage all financial resources of the national government;

(5) Undertake and supervise activities related to the negotiation, servicing and restructuring of domestic and foreign debt incurred or guaranteed by the government and its instrumentalities, including taking part in activities which affect the country's capacity to service foreign debt;

(6) Review and coordinate the policies, plans and programs of government financial institutions and, thereafter, recommend to them courses of action consistent with national government fiscal policies, plans and programs;

(7) Ensure the implementation of necessary policies and measures on local revenue administration;

(8) Coordinate with other government agencies on matters concerning fiscal and monetary policies, credit, economic development, international finance, trade and investment; and

(9) Perform such other powers and functions as may be provided by law.

(1) Planning and Policy Research Office;

(2) Central Management Information Office;

(3) Central Administration Office;

(4) Central Financial Management Office;

(5) Public Information and Assistance Office;

(6) Legal Office; and

(7) Regional Coordination Office.

(1) Supervise Department-wide services relating to internal cash management, personnel administration, property and supplies procurement, and custody; and maintenance of central files, and corresponding reporting systems;

(2) Assist in the formulation of policies and guidelines on the management of human and physical resources and general housekeeping activities for uniformity and standardization;

(3) Serve as a center for the establishment and periodic evaluation of management operation systems, internal control and work outputs to determine Department-wide performance efficiency;

(4) Design and develop training policies and guidelines, administer and evaluate training programs and in coordination with external training institutions, screen and recommend to the Secretary the participation of Department personnel in training programs, seminars and conferences in the country or abroad;

(5) Ensure that Department-wide activities and efforts are focused towards a central direction as embodied in the national socio-economic development plans; and

(6) Perform such other appropriate functions as may be assigned by the Department or his Undersecretaries.

(1) Supervise Department-wide activities relating to budget preparation and management, department accounting, and internal audit;

(2) Perform such other appropriate functions as may be assigned by the Department or his Secretary or his Undersecretaries.

(1) Provide policy direction and guidance to the operating Bureaus and Offices of the Department for the proper dissemination of appropriate information or Department- wide programs, operations and activities;

(2) Provide the operating Bureaus and Offices with the general framework for rendering direct assistance to the general public;

(3) Receive complaints and grievances from the general public; prepare referrals to concerned Bureaus and Offices and monitor responses or actions taken; and

(4) Perform such other appropriate functions as may be assigned by the Secretary or Undersecretary for Policy Development and Management Service.

(1) Prepare draft opinions or rulings for the signature of the Department Secretary or his Undersecretaries on matters elevated to it by the Bureaus and Offices of the Department;

(2) Conduct legal researches on all matters referred to it by the Secretary or his Undersecretaries; and

(3) Perform such other appropriate functions as may be assigned by the Secretary or his Undersecretaries.

(1) Revenue Operations Group, composed of the following:

(2) Domestic Operations Group, composed of the following:

(3) International Finance Group, composed of the following:

(1) Receive, gather and evaluate intelligence reports and information and evidence on the nature, modes and extent of illegal activities affecting the national economy, such as, but not limited to, economic sabotage, smuggling, tax evasion, and dollar-salting, to investigate the same and aid in the prosecution of cases;

(2) Coordinate with external domestic or foreign agencies in monitoring the financial and economic activities of persons or entities, which may adversely affect national financial interest with the goal of regulating, controlling or preventing said activities;

(3) Provide all intelligence units of operating Bureaus or Offices under the Department with the general framework and guidelines for the proper conduct of intelligence and investigation work;

(4) Supervise, monitor and coordinate all the intelligence and investigation operations of the operating Bureaus and Offices under the Department;

(5) Investigate, hear and file, upon clearance by the Secretary, anti-graft and corruption cases against personnel of the Department and its constituent units; and

(6) Perform such other appropriate functions as may be assigned by the Secretary or his Undersecretaries.

(1) Assess and collect all taxes, fees and charges and account for all revenues collected;

(2) Exercise duly delegated police powers for the proper performance of its functions and duties;

(3) Prevent and prosecute tax evasions and all other illegal economic activities;

(4) Exercise supervision and control over its constituent and subordinate units; and

(5) Perform such other functions as may be provided by law.

(1) Assessment and Collection Group, headed and supervised by a Deputy Commissioner and composed of the following services, each of which shall be headed by a Revenue Chief;

(2) Legal and Internal Administration Group, headed and supervised by a Deputy Commissioner and composed of the following services, each of which shall be headed by a Service Chief.

(1) Collect customs duties, taxes and the corresponding fees, charges and penalties;

(2) Account for all customs revenues collected;

(3) Exercise police authority for the enforcement of tariff and customs laws;

(4) Prevent and suppress smuggling, pilferage and all other economic frauds within all ports of entry;

(5) Supervise and control exports, imports, foreign mails, and the clearance of vessels and aircrafts in all ports of entry;

(6) Administer all legal requirements that are appropriate ;

(7) Prevent and prosecute smuggling and other illegal activities in all ports under its jurisdiction;

(8) Exercise supervision and control over its constituent units;

(9) Perform such other functions as may be provided by law.

(1) Customs Revenue Collection Monitoring Group, headed and supervised by a Deputy Commissioner and composed of Legal, Financial and Collection Services, each of which shall be headed by a service chief;

(2) Customs Assessment and Operations Coordinating Group, headed and supervised by a Deputy Commissioner and composed of the Imports and Assessment and Ports Operations Services, each of which shall be headed by a Service Chief; and

(3) Intelligence and Enforcement Group, headed and supervised by a Deputy Commissioner and composed of the Intelligence and Investigation Service and the Enforcement and Security Service.

(1) Customs Revenue Collection Monitoring Group. The Customs Revenue Collection Monitoring Group shall have the following functions:

(2) Customs Assessment and Operations Coordinating Group. The Customs Assessment and Operations Coordinating Group shall have the following functions:

(3) Intelligence and Enforcement Group. The Intelligence and Enforcement Group shall have the following functions:

(1) The Bureau shall have thirteen (13) Collection Districts under the direct control and supervision of the Commissioner. Each Collection District shall have as many subports as necessary to maximize revenue collection and the prevention of smuggling and fraud against customs. Each Collection District shall be headed and supervised by a District Collector while each subport will be headed by a Port Collector. The Collectors shall have the following functions:

(2) Perform such other appropriate functions consistent with the assigned task of the District/Port Collectors and those which may be given by the Commissioner.

(1) Act as the principal custodian of all national government funds;

(2) Assist in the formulation of, and execute, policies on financial management, public borrowings and capital market development;

(3) Formulate, in coordination with government agencies concerned, annual projections of revenue needs, cash position and borrowing capacity of the government;

(4) Maintain accounts of the financial transactions of all national secretaries, bureaus, agencies and instrumentalities;

(5) Manage the cash resources of the Government and perform banking functions in relation to receipts and disbursements of national funds;

(6) Manage, control and service public debts from domestic or foreign sources;

(7) Exercise line supervision over its Regional Offices/field units within Department Regional Administrative Coordination Offices; and

(8) Perform such other appropriate functions as may be assigned by the Secretary or Undersecretary for Domestic Operations.

(1) Internal Affairs Sub-Sector under the direct supervision and control of an Assistant National Treasurer and composed of the following:

(2) National Government Affairs Sub-Sector under the direct supervision and control of an Assistant National Treasurer and composed of the following:

(1) Management and Technical Staff, which shall perform the functions of rendering technical and secretarial support services;

(2) Intelligence and Investigation Office, which shall perform the following functions:

(1) Assist in the formulation and implementation of policies on local government revenue administration and fund management;

(2) Exercise administrative and technical supervision and coordination over the treasury and assessment operations of local governments;

(3) Develop and promote plans and programs for the improvement of resource management systems, collection enforcement mechanisms, and credit utilization schemes at the local levels;

(4) Provide consultative services and technical assistance to the local governments and the general public on local taxation, real property assessment and other related matters;

(5) Exercise line supervision over its Regional Offices/field units within the Department Regional Administrative Coordination Office and the Local Treasury and Assessment Services; and

(6) Perform such other appropriate functions as may be assigned by the Secretary or Undersecretary for Domestic Operations.

(1) Internal Administration Office;

(2) Policy Enforcement and Special Projects Group;

(3) Field Operations Examination Group

(1) Management and Technical Staff, which shall perform the functions of rendering technical and secretarial support services;

(2) Intelligence and Investigation Office, which shall perform the following functions:

(1) Coordinate, in consultation with the appropriate government agencies, the formulation of integrated financial and fiscal plans of the national Government and the local government, consistent with the national development plan;

(2) Monitor and review the implementation of such financial and fiscal plans in relation to recent developments in the economy;

(3) Coordinate with other government agencies involved in financial, fiscal and economic planning and policy formulation;

(4) Undertake special studies and research projects on financial and fiscal policies;

(5) Coordinate the formulation and assessment of Department policies affecting domestic finance operations with the different bureaus and offices of the Department; and

(6) Perform such other appropriate functions as may be assigned by the Secretary, the Undersecretary for Domestic Operations or the Assistant Secretary directly assisting the Undersecretary for Domestic Operations.

(1) Monitor and analyze international monetary, financial and trade developments and their implications for the Philippine economy and evolve proposals for appropriate response to said events;

(2) Provide inputs into the formulation of fiscal, monetary, financial, foreign trade and exchange rate policies as well as budgetary and balance of payments programming in line with domestic economic goals and the external financial and trade environment;

(3) Formulate and monitor a foreign financing program on the basis of domestic requirements and trends in development assistance and other capital flows;

(4) Interact with multilateral, regional and other international organizations and formulate in coordination with appropriate agencies Philippine positions on institutional and policy issues taken up in these bodies;

(5) Coordinate with other appropriate secretaries and government agencies in areas concerning international finance and foreign trade; and

(6) Perform such other appropriate functions as may be assigned by the Secretary or Undersecretary for International Finance.

(1) Assist in the formulation of policies and guidelines for foreign borrowings including provision of government guarantees, and monitor compliance with these policies;

(2) Provide support work for international financial negotiations and participate in such negotiations with multilateral financial institutions, bilateral creditors and donors and commercial creditors. This includes negotiations for new assistance (grants and loans) as well as for debt rescheduling;

(3) Monitor implementation of projects funded by foreign assistance and credits, utilization of such external resources and compliance with commitments as well as debt repayment obligations;

(4) Assist in the structuring and conduct of international conferences and meetings of the Department's officers (the term "officer" as used in this Executive Order is intended to be within the meaning of the term "official" as used in the Freedom Constitution) with foreign dignitaries or organizations; and

(5) Perform such other appropriate functions as may be assigned by the Secretary or Undersecretary for International Finance.

(1) Implement laws, rules and regulations, policies, plans, programs and projects of the Department;

(2) Provide efficient and effective services to the people;

(3) Coordinate with regional offices of other departments, offices and agencies in the region;

(4) Coordinate with local government units; and

(5) Perform such other functions as may be provided by law.

(1) Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation;

(2) Philippine Export and Foreign Loan Guarantee Corporation;

(3) Insurance Commission;

(4) National Tax Research Center;

(5) Central Board of Assessment Appeals; and

(6) Fiscal Incentives Review Board.

(1) Act as principal law agency of the government and as legal counsel and representative thereof, whenever so required;

(2) Investigate the commission of crimes, prosecute offenders and administer the probation and correction system;

(3) Extend free legal assistance/representation to indigents and poor litigants in criminal cases and non-commercial civil disputes;

(4) Preserve the integrity of land titles through proper registration;

(5) Investigate and arbitrate untitled land disputes involving small landowners and members of indigenous cultural communities;

(6) Provide immigration and naturalization regulatory services and implement the laws governing citizenship and the admission and stay of aliens;

(7) Provide legal services to the national government and its functionaries, including government-owned or controlled corporations and their subsidiaries; and

(8) Perform such other functions as may be provided by law.

(1) Department proper;

(2) Office of the Government Corporate Counsel;

(3) National Bureau of Investigation;

(4) Public Attorney's Office;

(5) Board of Pardons and Parole;

(6) Parole and Probation Administration;

(7) Bureau of Corrections;

(8) Land Registration Authority;

(9) Commission on the Settlement of Land Problems.

(1) Advise and assist the Secretary in the formulation and implementation of the Department's policies, plans, programs and projects;

(2) Oversee the operational activities of the Department;

(3) Coordinate the programs and projects of the Department for efficient and effective administration;

(4) Serve as deputy for the Secretary;

(5) Perform, when so designated, the powers and functions of the Secretary, during the latter's absence or incapacity; and

(6) Perform such other functions as may be provided by law or assigned by the Secretary to promote efficiency and effectiveness in the delivery of frontline services.

(1) Assist the Secretary in the performance of his duties as Attorney General of the Philippines and as ex-officio legal adviser of government-owned or controlled corporations or enterprises and their subsidiaries;

(2) Prepare and finally act for and in behalf of the Secretary on all queries and/or requests for legal advice or guidance coming from private parties and minor officials and employees of the government;

(3) Maintain and supervise the operation of the Department Law Library as well as its personnel; and

(4) Perform such other functions as are now or may hereafter be provided by law or assigned by the Secretary.

(1) Assist the Secretary in the performance of powers and functions of the Department relative to its role as the prosecution arm of the government;

(2) Implement the provisions of laws, executive orders and rules, and carry out the policies, plans, programs and projects of the Department relative to the investigation and prosecution of criminal cases;

(3) Assist the Secretary in exercising supervision and control over the National Prosecution Service as constituted under P. D. No. 1275 and/or otherwise hereinafter provided; and

(4) Perform such other functions as may be provided by law or assigned by the Secretary.

(1) Office of the Chief Public Attorney and two (2) Deputy Chief Public Attorneys;

(2) Five (5) line divisions in the Central Office, namely: Administrative, Financial and Management, Special and Appealed Cases, Legal Research and Statistics, and Field Services Divisions; and

(3) Regional and Provincial/District Offices.

(1) Administer the parole and probation system;

(2) Exercise general supervision over all parolees and probationers;

(3) Promote the correction and rehabilitation of offenders; and

(4) Such other functions as may hereafter be provided by law.

(1) The Administration shall be headed by an Administrator who shall be immediately assisted by a Deputy Administrator. The Administrator and Deputy Administrator shall be appointed by the President upon the recommendation of the Secretary.

The appointees to the positions of Administrator and Deputy Administrator must be holders of a doctoral/masteral degree in public administration and/or lawyers with at least one year of supervisory experience in probation work.

(2) The Administration shall have a Technical Service under the Office of the Administrator which shall serve as the service arm of the Board of Pardons and Parole in the supervision of parolees and pardonees.

The Board and the Administration shall jointly determine the staff complement of the Technical Service.

(3) The Administration shall likewise continue to operate and maintain a Regional Office in each of the administrative regions including the National Capital Region and also a probation and parole office in every province and city of the country.

(1) The Registries of Deeds in the cities of Manila, Quezon, Pasay and Caloocan shall be maintained;

(2) There is hereby created Registries of Deeds in the Municipalities of Navotas, Malabon, Valenzuela, Mandaluyong, San Juan, Marikina, Las Piñas and Parañaque with jurisdiction over their respective municipalities;

(3) The Registry of Deeds of Pasig shall be maintained with jurisdiction over the Municipalities of Pasig, Taguig and Pateros; and

(4) The Registry of Deeds of Makati shall have jurisdiction over the municipalities of Makati and Muntinlupa.

(1) Office of the Commissioner and Associate Commissioners;

(2) Board of Commissioners - composed of the Commissioner as Chairman and two (2) Associate Commissioners as members; and

(3) Boards of Special Inquiry which are authorized to be organized in the Commission pursuant to the provisions of the Immigration Act of 1940, as amended.

Subject to the provisions of existing law, the Secretary is hereby authorized to review, revise and/or promulgate new rules and regulations to govern the conduct of proceedings in the Board of Commissioners and the Boards of Special Inquiry, including the determination of the size and number of the support staff to be assigned thereat.

(1) Represent the Government in the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeals in all criminal proceedings; represent the Government and its officers in the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals, and all other courts or tribunals in all civil actions and special proceedings in which the Government or any officer thereof in his official capacity is a party.

(2) Investigate, initiate court action, or in any manner proceed against any person, corporation or firm for the enforcement of any contract, bond, guarantee, mortgage, pledge or other collateral executed in favor of the Government. Where proceedings are to be conducted outside of the Philippines the Solicitor General may employ counsel to assist in the discharge of the aforementioned responsibilities.

(3) Appear in any court in any action involving the validity of any treaty, law, executive order or proclamation, rule or regulation when in his judgment his intervention is necessary or when requested by the Court.

(4) Appear in all proceedings involving the acquisition or loss of Philippine citizenship.

(5) Represent the Government in all land registration and related proceedings. Institute actions for the reversion to the Government of lands of the public domain and improvements thereon as well as lands held in violation of the Constitution.

(6) Prepare, upon request of the President or other proper officer of the National Government, rules and guidelines for government entities governing the preparation of contracts, making of investments, undertaking of transactions, and drafting of forms or other writings needed for official use, with the end in view of facilitating their enforcement and insuring that they are entered into or prepared conformably with law and for the best interests of the public.

(7) Deputize, whenever in the opinion of the Solicitor General the public interest requires, any provincial or city fiscal to assist him in the performance of any function or discharge of any duty incumbent upon him, within the jurisdiction of the aforesaid provincial or city fiscal. When so deputized, the fiscal shall be under the control and supervision of the Solicitor General with regard to the conduct of the proceedings assigned to the fiscal, and he may be required to render reports or furnish information regarding the assignment.

(8) Deputize legal officers of government departments, bureaus, agencies and offices to assist the Solicitor General and appear or represent the Government in cases involving their respective offices, brought before the courts, and exercise supervision and control over such legal officers with respect to such cases.

(9) Call on any department, bureau, office, agency or instrumentality of the Government for such service, assistance and cooperation as may be necessary in fulfilling its functions and responsibilities and for this purpose enlist the services of any government official or employee in the pursuit of his tasks.

Departments, bureaus, agencies, offices, instrumentalities and corporations to whom the Office of the Solicitor General renders legal services are authorized to disburse funds from their sundry operating and other funds for the latter Office. For this purpose, the Solicitor General and his staff are specifically authorized to receive allowances as may be provided by the Government offices, instrumentalities and corporations concerned, in addition to their regular compensation.

(10) Represent, upon the instructions of the President, the Republic of the Philippines in international litigations, negotiations or conferences where the legal position of the Republic must be defended or presented.

(11) Act and represent the Republic and/or the people before any court, tribunal, body or commission in any matter, action or proceeding which, in his opinion, affects the welfare of the people as the ends of justice may require; and

(12) Perform such other functions as may be provided by law.

(1) Provide integrated services to farmers, fishermen, and other food producers on production, utilization, conservation, and disposition of agricultural and fishery resources;

(2) Be responsible for the planning, formulation, execution, regulation, and monitoring of programs and activities relating to agriculture, food production and supply;

(3) Promulgate and enforce all laws, rules and regulations governing the conservation and proper utilization of agricultural and fishery resources;

(4) Establish central and regional information systems to serve the production, marketing, and financing date requirements of the farmers as well as domestic and foreign investors in agribusiness ventures;

(5) Provide comprehensive and effective extension services and training to farmers and other agricultural entrepreneurs on the production, marketing, and financing aspects of agricultural enterprises;

(6) Conduct, coordinate, and disseminate research studies on appropriate technologies for the improvement and development of agricultural crops, fisheries, and other allied commodities;

(7) Provide the mechanism for the participation of farmers, fishermen, and entrepreneurs at all levels of policy-making, planning and program formulation;

(8) Coordinate with and enlist other public and private agencies for cooperation and assistance on matters affecting the policies, plans and programs of the Department;

(9) Perform such other functions as may be provided by law.

(1) The Undersecretary assigned to Regional Operations shall oversee the implementation of the agricultural plans, policies, programs, and projects of the regional and field offices of the Department;

(2) The Undersecretary assigned to Staff Operations shall provide staff support services, particularly in administration and finance, production, research, training, and extension;

(3) The Undersecretary assigned to Policy and Planning shall provide policy and planning support services, particularly in policy-formulation, planning, and agri-business;

(4) The Undersecretary assigned to Attached Agencies shall exercise supervision over the attached agencies to ensure that their operations are in conformity with the approved plans and policies of the Department;

(5) The Undersecretary assigned to Special Concerns shall develop and implement agricultural policies and priority projects aimed at improving the quality of life of disadvantaged and cultural community groups living in lowland and upland areas. In addition, he shall handle other special projects as may be identified or directed by the Department Secretary.

(1) Advise the Secretary in the promulgation of orders and other issuances, with respect to his area of responsibility;

(2) Exercise supervision and control over the offices, services, operating units, and officers and employees under his responsibility;

(3) Promulgate rules and regulations, consistent with the policies of the Department that will efficiently and effectively govern the activities of the units under his responsibility;

(4) Coordinate the functions and activities of the units under his responsibility with those of other units under the responsibility of the other Undersecretaries;

(5) Exercise delegated authority on matters related to the functions and activities of the units under his responsibility to the extent granted by the Secretary; and

(6) Perform such other functions as may be provided by law or assigned by the Secretary.

(1) The Assistant Secretary assigned to the Production Group shall be responsible for providing services relating to planning, programming, and project development of agricultural production. This group shall consist of the Bureau of Animal Industry, Bureau of Plant Industry, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, and Bureau of Soils and Water Management;

(2) The Assistant Secretary assigned to the Agri-Business Group shall be responsible for assisting farmers and other agri-business ventures by providing marketing assistance and investment information. This group shall consist of the Marketing Assistance Services and the Agri-Business Investment Information Services;

(3) The Assistant Secretary assigned to the Research, Training and Extension Group shall be responsible for conducting research and training as well as providing assistance in the establishment of agricultural cooperatives. This group shall be composed of the Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR), Agricultural Training Institute (ATI), and Bureau of Agricultural Cooperatives Development (BACOD);

(3) The Assistant Secretary assigned to the Planning and Monitoring Group shall take charge of developing, integrating, monitoring and evaluating all plans and programs of the Department and shall collect, monitor, and publish agricultural statistics for the Department and its clientele. This group shall be composed of the Planning and Monitoring Services, Computer Services, and Bureau of Agricultural Statistics;

(5) The Assistant Secretary assigned to the Support Group shall take charge of providing staff support services in finance, administration, and management. This shall be composed of the Financial and Management Services, the Legal Services, and the Administrative Services;

(6) The Assistant Secretary assigned to the Foreign Assisted Projects shall be responsible for the negotiation and implementation of foreign assisted projects of the Department;

(7) The Assistant Secretary assigned to Regional Operations shall assist the Undersecretary for Regional Operations in the supervision of regional offices, including the coordination and implementation of Department plans, policies and programs.

The seven (7) Assistant Secretaries shall, in addition to the abovementioned duties, perform such other functions as may be assigned by the Secretary. They may also be assigned or placed under the supervision of the Undersecretaries at the discretion of the Secretary.

(1) Formulate programs for the development and expansion of the livestock, poultry, and dairy industries to meet the requirements of the growing populace;

(2) Recommend the specific policies and procedures governing the flow of livestock products through the various stages of marketing, as well as the proper preservation and inspection of such products;

(3) Coordinate and monitor the activities and projects relating to livestock and allied industries;

(4) Prescribe standards for quality in the manufacture, importation, labelling, advertising, distribution, and sale of livestock, poultry, and allied industries; and

(5) For its own sector, recommend plans, programs, policies, rules and regulations to the Secretary and provide technical assistance in the implementation of the same.

(1) Be responsible for the production of improved planting materials, protection of agricultural crops from pests and diseases, and development and improvement of farm equipment and other structures related to the plant industry;

(2) Prepare a program for the selection, production and certification of improved planting materials as well as guidelines for its implementation;

(3) Recommend plant quarantine policies, and prescribe rules and regulations for the prevention, control, and eradication of pests, diseases, and injuries to plants and plant products; and

(4) For its own sector, recommend plans, programs, policies, rules and regulations to the Secretary and provide technical assistance in the implementation of the same.

(1) Formulate plans for the proper management, accelerated development, and proper utilization of the country's fishery and aquatic resources;

(2) Undertake studies on the economics of the various phases of the fishing industry, which studies shall form the bases for the formulation of policies and programs on fisheries and aquatic resources;

(3) Render technical assistance and advisory services in the proper procurement, construction and operation of the fishing vessels as well as determination and designation of fish landing points for all commercial fishing boats; and

(4) For its own sector, recommend plans, programs, policies, rules and regulations to the Secretary and provide technical assistance in the implementation of the same.

(1) Advise and render assistance on matters relative to the utilization and management of soils and water as vital agricultural resources;

(2) Formulate measures and guidelines for effective soil, land, and water resource utilization, as well as soil conservation in croplands and other agricultural areas;

(3) Undertake soil research programs;

(4) Coordinate with the relevant government agencies in resettlement areas and prepare the necessary plans for the provision of technical assistance in solving soil impounding and the prevention of soil erosion, fertility preservation, and other related matters;

(5) Engage in rainmaking projects for agricultural areas and watersheds to solve the problem of prolonged droughts and minimize their effects on standing agricultural crops; and

(6) For its own sector, recommend plans, programs, policies, rules and regulations to the Secretary and provide technical assistance in the implementation of the same.

(1) Ensure that all agricultural research is coordinated and undertaken for maximum utility to agriculture;

(2) Tap farmers, farmers' organizations, and research institutions, especially the state colleges and universities, in the conduct of research for use of the Department and its clientele, particularly the farmers, fishermen and other rural workers.

(1) Formulate an integrated system for development and evaluation of agricultural cooperatives;

(2) Provide advice and assistance in the establishment of agricultural cooperatives in the rural communities; and

(3) Evolve a program to promote the economic viability of agricultural cooperatives.

The Bureau shall include in its area of responsibility non-agricultural cooperatives.

(1) Be mainly responsible for the collection, compilation, and official release of agricultural statistics;

(2) Exercise technical supervision over data collection centers;

(3) Coordinate all agricultural statistics and economic research activities of all bureaus, corporations and offices under the Department.

(1) Be responsible for the training of all agricultural extension workers and their clientele, who are mostly farmers and other agricultural workers;

(2) Ensure that training programs address the real needs of the agricultural sectors; and

(3) Ensure that the research results are communicated to the farmers through the appropriate training and extension activities.

(1) Provide efficient and effective frontline services to the people;

(2) Implement and enforce in its area the laws and policies, plans, programs, projects, rules, and regulations issued by the Department including plant and animal quarantine laws, rules and regulations;

(3) Coordinate with regional offices of other departments, offices and agencies in the region;

(4) Coordinate with local government units; and

(5) Perform such other functions as may be provided by law or assigned appropriately by the Secretary.

(1) Inspect all carriers, passengers, crew, luggage and incoming mails to determine the presence of plants, plant products and other materials capable of harboring plant pests as well as potential animal pests;

(2) Enter into and inspect any and all areas where plants, plant products and other materials capable of harboring plant pests are landed, stored or grown;

(3) Examine imported plants, plant products, and other materials capable of harboring plant pests as well as potential animal pests and administer necessary measures to insure effective implementation of the provisions of this Chapter;

(4) Inspect, administer treatment and certify plants, plant products and other related materials intended for export, if the importing country so requires;

(5) Confiscate and destroy or refuse entry of plants, plant products and potential animal pests involved in prohibited importations and deny inspection, certification or clearance of the same; and

(6) Perform such other related duties as may be provided by law.

(1) All charges for storage, demurrage, cartage, labor and delays incident to inspection, cost of disinfection or disinfestation and other post-entry requirements shall be paid by the importer or exporter as the case may be.

(2) The Regional Director and the authorized officials of the Department shall not be held liable for damages to the commodity in the course of the implementation of the provisions of this Chapter.

(1) The owner, operator, agent or master of carriers plying international or domestic routes are hereby required to serve notice of arrival and departure and to provide inward and outward cargo manifests and other declarations of said carriers to the Plant Quarantine Officer at the post. Prior to departure, the agent or master of said carrier must secure a clearance from the Plant Quarantine Officer thereat.

(2) The Collector of Customs or his authorized agents shall require the owner, agent or master of carrier to submit a copy of the certificate of plant quarantine clearance as a pre-requisite to the issuance of the customs clearance.

(1) The Regional Director concerned shall, with the approval of the Secretary of Agriculture, promulgate rules and regulations governing the collection of regulatory fees for inspection, certification, import permits, commodity treatment and others, on commodities described in this Chapter which shall constitute the revolving fund of the national plant quarantine service.

(2) Importations and exportations of all government departments or agencies and government-owned or controlled corporations, and donations to and for the account of any duly registered relief organization or any charitable institution certified by the Department of Social Services and Welfare, embassies of foreign governments, and those that may be declared by the President, upon the recommendation of the National Economic and Development Authority, in the interest of economic development, are exempt from payment of the fees herein prescribed excluding, however, the expense incurred in commodity treatment.

(1) The Regional Directors and the other officials of the Department who may be authorized by the Secretary of Agriculture, after proper hearing, are hereby empowered to impose administrative fines for the violation of and non-compliance with quarantine orders, rules and regulations promulgated in accordance with this Chapter.

(2) The decisions of the Regional Directors concerned and those of the other authorized officials of the Department under this section are appealable to the Secretary of Agriculture whose decision shall be final.

(1) Agricultural Credit Policy Council

(2) National Agricultural and Fishery Council

(3) Philippine Technical and Administrative Committee for SEAFDEC

(4) Livestock Development Council

(5) National Meat Inspection Commission

(6) Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority

(7) Fiber Industry Development Authority

(8) National Tobacco Administration

(9) Sugar Regulatory Administration

(10) National Food Authority and its subsidiaries

(11) Quedan Guarantee Fund Board

(12) Philippine Fisheries Development Authority

(13) Philippine Rice Research Institute

(14) Philippine Coconut Authority and its subsidiaries

(15) National Irrigation Administration

(16) Sacovia Development Authority; and

(17) Regional Cooperative Development Assistance Offices (Regions IX and XII).

(1) The National Agricultural and Fishery Council shall act as an advisory and coordinative body of the Department. As such, it shall conduct and encourage consultative discussions among all agricultural sectors at the municipal, provincial, regional and national levels;

(2) The Philippine Technical and Administrative Committee for Southeast Asia Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC) shall be responsible for the administration and management of the SEAFDEC Aquaculture Department and shall monitor and assess the performance of research projects on fisheries and aquaculture in accordance with the policies or standards established by the SEAFDEC International Council and the Department;

(3) The Livestock Development Council shall be responsible for the formulation and establishment of comprehensive policy guidelines for the livestock industry, preparation of plans and programs and evaluation of livestock programs/projects;

(4) The National Meat Inspection Commission shall conduct actual ante mortem inspection on all animals presented for slaughter and post mortem inspection on all animals presented for slaughter and post mortem inspection on all carcasses intended for human consumption in all abattoirs in the country; render technical assistance in the construction of meat establishments (abattoirs, dressing plants, processing plants and meat markets) particularly on the selection of sites, and plant design preparation, equipment design and test runs; exercise overall supervision and control of management and operations of all abattoirs, dressing plants, meat processing plants and meat markets.

(1) Provide technical services for the planning, design, construction, maintenance, or operation of infrastructure facilities;

(2) Develop and implement effective codes, standards, and reasonable guidelines to ensure the safety of all public and private structures in the country and assure efficiency and proper quality in the construction of public works;

(3) Ascertain that all public works plans and project implementation designs are consistent with current standards and guidelines;

(4) Identify, plan, secure funding for, program, design, construct or undertake prequalification, bidding, and award of contracts of public works projects with the exception only of specialized projects undertaken by Government corporate entities with established technical capability and as directed by the President of the Philippines or as provided by law;

(5) Provide the works supervision function for all public works constructions and ensure that actual construction is done in accordance with approved government plans and specifications;

(6) Assist other agencies, including the local governments, in determining the most suitable entity to undertake the actual construction of public works projects;

(7) Maintain or cause to be maintained all highways, flood control, and other public works throughout the country except those that are the responsibility of other agencies as directed by the President of the Philippines or as provided by law;

(8) Provide an integrated planning for highways, flood control and water resource development systems, and other public works;

(9) Classify road and highways into national, regional, provincial, city, municipal, and barangay roads and highways, based on objective criteria it shall adopt; provide or authorize the conversion of roads and highways from one category to another; and

(10) Delegate, to any agency it determines to have the adequate technical capability, any of the foregoing powers and functions; and

(11) Perform such other functions as may be provided by law.

(1) The Department Proper consisting of the Office of the Secretary, the Offices of the Undersecretaries and Assistant Secretaries, the Internal Audit Service, Monitoring and Information Service, Planning Service, Comptrollership and Financial Management Service, Legal Service, and the Administrative and Manpower Management Service;

(2) The Bureau of Research and Standards, Bureau of Design, Bureau of Construction, Bureau of Maintenance, and Bureau of Equipment; and

(3) The Field Offices, consisting of fourteen (14) Regional Offices composed of Region I (Ilocos), Region II (Cagayan Valley), Region III (Central Luzon, National Capital Region), Region IV-A (Southern Tagalog Mainland Provinces), Region IV-B (Southern Tagalog Island Provinces), Region V (Bicol), Region VI (Western Visayas), Region VII (Central Visayas), Region VIII (Eastern Visayas), Region IX (Western Mindanao) Region X (Northeastern Mindanao) Region XI (Southern Mindanao) and Region XII (Central Mindanao), and their respective District Offices.

(1) Advice the Secretary on all matters relating to management control and operations audit;

(2) Conduct management and operations performance audit of Department activities and units and determine the degree of compliance with established objectives, policies, methods and procedures, government regulations, and contractual obligations of the Department;

(3) Review and appraise systems and procedures, organizational structure, assets management practices, accounting and other records, reports and performance standards (such as budgets and standard costs) of the Department Proper, Bureaus and Regional Offices;

(4) Analyze and evaluate management deficiencies and assist top management to solve the problems by recommending realistic courses of action; and

(5) Perform such other related duties and responsibilities as may be assigned or delegated by the Secretary or as may be required by law.

(1) Advice the Secretary on all matters relating to monitoring and public information;

(2) Develop and maintain a system for retrieving and processing monitoring information on all projects and activities of concern to the Secretary;

(3) Provide accurate and timely status and exception reports to the Secretary;

(4) Generate monitoring reports for the President, the Cabinet, or for any other purpose as required by the Secretary;

(5) Develop and supervise the implementation of communications programs to have relevant policies, programs and plans of the Department understood by the public;

(6) Produce and supervise the dissemination of media materials in line with the national government public information programs;

(7) Coordinate with appropriate national government agencies tasked with public information affairs; and

(8) Perform such other related duties and responsibilities as may be assigned or delegated by the Secretary or as may be required by law.

(1) Advice the Secretary on all matters relating to infrastructure planning;

(2) Formulate strategies and priorities for infrastructure development consistent with national development objectives; and initiate or undertake, coordinate and review area and sector surveys for development planning;

(3) Formulate long-range, medium-term and annual development plans and programs for infrastructure, especially highways, flood control and water resource development systems, and other public works projects, including phasing of implementation;

(4) Identify priority packages for infrastructure development, especially highways, flood control and water resource development systems, and other public works projects, undertake or supervise and evaluate the conduct of feasibility studies and project preparation thereof;

(5) Prioritize project implementation and the allocation of funds and other resources and package project proposals for funding and implementation;

(6) Evaluate and appraise all regional and interregional infrastructure development plans and programs as to their feasibility and consistency with approved strategies and long and medium-term plans;

(7) Initiate regular Department-wide planning exercises and act as the secretariat thereof;

(8) Gather, analyze and organize needed statistical data and information;

(9) Provide technical assistance related to its functions to the other Services, Bureaus and the Regional Offices as needed; and

(10) Perform such other related duties and responsibilities as may be assigned or delegated by the Secretary or as may be required by law.

(1) Advise the Secretary on all matters relating to the accounting of government expenditures and receipts, budgeting and cash management, project finances, and financial systems and procedures;

(2) Prepare budget proposals and pursue formal budget authorizations; undertake budget execution, and prepare and submit all appropriate reports to the proper offices;

(3) Develop and maintain accounting, financial and assets management systems, procedures, and practices in the Department proper, Bureaus, and Regional Offices;

(4) Provide assistance in its area of specialization to any unit of the Department and, when requested, to government corporations and councils attached to the Department; and

(5) Perform such other related duties and responsibilities as may be assigned or delegated by the Secretary or as may be required by law.

(1) Advise the Secretary on all matters relating to legal affairs;

(2) Prepare Department contracts and legal instruments, review and interpret all contracts and agreements entered into by the Department; evaluate all legal proposals;

(3) Conduct administrative investigation as well as the review of administrative charges against officers and employees of the Department;

(4) Exercise functional jurisdiction over the legal staffs of Regional Offices;

(5) Provide legal assistance to the Department Proper, the Bureaus and Regional Offices and, when requested, the attached corporations; and

(6) Perform such other related duties and responsibilities as may be assigned or delegated by the Secretary or as may be required by law.

(1) Advise the Secretary, on all matters relating to internal administration and human resources management;

(2) Prepare and implement an integrated personnel plan that shall include provisions on merit promotions, performance evaluation, job rotation, suggestions and incentive awards systems and health and welfare services;

(3) Provide services related to human resources training, education, and development, including manpower and career planning and forecasting and development of indigenous training materials;

(4) Develop, establish and maintain an efficient and cost-effective property procurement system and facilities and coordinate or otherwise interface with relevant agencies, whether government or private, for the purpose of developing or upgrading the system;

(5) Secure and maintain necessary Department facilities and develop, establish and maintain an efficient and effective security system covering among others, personnel, physical installations, equipment, documents and materials, including the conduct of security investigations;

(6) Coordinate with the appropriate government agencies for a more efficient conduct of administrative processes;

(7) Develop, establish and maintain an efficient records system;

(8) Provide assistance in its area of specialization to the Department Proper, Bureaus and Regional Offices and, when requested, the government agencies and corporations attached to the Department; and

(9) Perform such other related duties and responsibilities as may be assigned or delegated by the Secretary or as may be required by law.

(1) Study, on a continuing basis, and formulate and recommend guidelines, standards, criteria, and systems for the survey and design, construction, rehabilitation, maintenance and improvement of all public works and highways;

(2) Conduct or sponsor research on construction materials and formulate and recommend policies, standards and guidelines on materials and quality control;

(3) Undertake or cause to be undertaken specialized technical studies to advance the inhouse technology of the Department and secure the most complete information for project development and implementation purposes;

(4) Formulate technical training programs for Department technical personnel, including the identification of appropriate local and foreign training programs, and recommend the selection of Department personnel for such programs;

(5) Review and study, for the purpose of recognizing new technologies especially those utilizing indigenous resources, current national building and construction standards and procedures and make appropriate recommendations thereon;

(6) Promote, publish and disseminate technical publications;

(7) Provide technical assistance to the Department Proper, other Bureaus, Regional Offices and other agencies on matters within its competence, including technical assistance in the upgrading or updating of the Building Code, and other services;

(8) Cooperate or coordinate with other established research, development, and engineering centers in areas of common or national interests; and

(9) Perform such other duties and responsibilities as may be assigned or delegated by the Secretary or as may be required by law.

(1) Conduct or initiate, supervise and review the results of field surveys for highways, flood control and water resource development systems, and other public works projects, including aerial, hydrologic, hydrographic, topographic, geotechnical and other investigations;

(2) Conduct or initiate, supervise and review the preparation of schemes, designs, specifications, estimates, tender and contract documents covering the architectural, structural, mechanical, electrical and other technical design aspects of highways, flood control and other projects of the Department or of other departments upon request or agreement;

(3) Review and evaluate the designs, specifications, estimates, tender and contract documents covering the architectural, structural, mechanical, electrical and other technical design aspects of public works projects of all agencies in accordance with current standards and guidelines;

(4) Provide technical assistance in the selection of firms or entities that shall undertake actual construction of public works projects via participation in the technical evaluation aspect of the bidding/award process; and

(5) Perform such other related duties and responsibilities as may be assigned or delegated by the Secretary of as may be required by law.

(1) Formulate policies relating to construction management and contract administration;

(2) Review and evaluate construction programs, estimates, tender and contract documents;

(3) Inspect, check and monitor construction and works supervision activities of field implementing offices for the purpose of ensuring that such activities are being conducted in accordance with the current standards and guidelines of the Department;

(4) Provide specialist support to implementing field offices on construction management and contract administration; and

(5) Perform such other related duties and responsibilities as may be assigned or delegated by the Secretary or as may be required by law.

(1) Formulate policies relating to the maintenance of infrastructure projects and facilities;

(2) Review and evaluate maintenance programs, estimates and tender and contract documents;

(3) Inspect, check, and monitor maintenance activities of implementing field offices for the purpose of ensuring that such activities are being conducted in accordance with the current standards and policies of the Department;

(4) Provide specialist support to implementing field offices on the maintenance of infrastructure projects and facilities;

(5) Perform such other related duties and responsibilities as may be assigned or delegated by the Secretary or as may be required by law.

(1) Formulate policies relating to the management of infrastructure equipment and ancillary facilities;

(2) Review and evaluate programs, estimates, tender and contract documents for equipment;

(3) Inspect, check and monitor the management of equipment by regional equipment services and area shops for the purpose of ensuring that such activities are being conducted in accordance with the current standards and policies of the Department;

(4) Provide specialist support to implementing field offices on equipment management; and

(5) Perform such other related duties and responsibilities as may be assigned or delegated by the Secretary or as may be required by law.

(1) Undertake and evaluate the planning, design, construction and works supervision functions of the Department for the above mentioned infrastructure within the region;

(2) Undertake the maintenance of the above mentioned infrastructure within the region and supervise the maintenance of such local road and other infrastructure receiving national government financial assistance as the Secretary may determine;

(3) Ensure the implementation of laws, policies, programs, rules and regulations regarding the above mentioned infrastructure as well as all public and private physical structures;

(4) Provide technical assistance related to their functions to other agencies within the region, especially the local government;

(5) Coordinate with other departments, agencies, institutions and organizations, especially local government units within the region in the planning and implementation of infrastructure projects;

(6) Conduct continuing consultations with the local communities, take appropriate measures to make the services of the Department responsive to the needs of the general public, compile and submit such information to the central office, and recommend such appropriate actions as may be necessary; and

(7) Perform such other related duties and responsibilities as may be assigned or delegated by the Secretary or as may be required by law.

(1) Undertake and evaluate the planning, design, construction, and works supervision functions of the Department for the above mentioned infrastructure in the district;

(2) Undertake the maintenance of the abovementioned infrastructure within the district and supervise the maintenance of such local roads and other infrastructure receiving national government financial assistance as the Secretary may determine;

(3) Coordinate with other departments, agencies, institutions, and organizations, especially local government units within the district in the planning and implementation of infrastructure projects;

(4) Provide technical assistance to other agencies at the local level on public works planning, design, construction, maintenance and other engineering matters including securing from the Regional Office or, through the same office, assistance from the Department Proper or Bureaus;

(5) Conduct continuing consultations with the local communities, take appropriate measures to make the services of the Department responsive to the needs of the general public, compile and submit such information to the Regional Office and recommend such appropriate actions as may be necessary; and

(6) Perform such other related duties and responsibilities as may be assigned or delegated by the Secretary or as may be required by law.

1) Establish, maintain and support a complete, adequate, and integrated system of education relevant to the needs of the people and society;

2) Establish and maintain a system of free public education in the elementary and high school levels. Without limiting the natural right of parents to rear their children, elementary education is compulsory for all children of school age;

3) Establish and maintain a system of scholarship grants, student loan programs, subsidies, and other incentives which shall be available to deserving students in both public and private schools, especially to the underprivileged;

4) Encourage non-formal, informal, and indigenous learning systems, as well as self-learning, independent, and out-of-school study programs particularly those that respond to community needs; and

5) Provide adult citizens, the disabled, and out-of-school youth with training in civics, vocational efficiency, and other skills.

(1) Elementary, secondary, physical and international education;

(2) Non-formal and vocational or technical education;

(3) Higher education;

(4) Development of culture;

(5) Foreign and locally assisted projects and other activities relative to Subsections (1), (2), (3) and (4); and

(6) Perform such other functions as may be provided by law.

(1) Elementary education, secondary education, physical education and international education programs and centers;

(2) Non-formal education, vocational/technical education, and youth organizations;

(3) Higher education, cultural agencies, and foreign assisted projects;

(4) Internal administration and management, and regional coordination; and

(5) Legal and legislative affairs, and other attached agencies and centers.

(1) The Planning Service shall be responsible for providing the Department with economical, efficient, and effective services relating to planning, programming, and project development;

(2) The Financial and Management Service shall be responsible for providing the Department with staff advice and assistance on budgetary, financial, and management improvement matters;

(3) The Administrative Service shall be responsible for providing the Department with economical, efficient, and effective services relating to legal assistance, information, records, supplies or equipment, collection, disbursement, security and custodial work;

(4) The Human Resources Development Service, shall:

(5) The Technical Service, which includes the Office of the Head Executive Assistant and the Information and Publication Service shall take charge of technical staff activities which cannot be allocated to the four (4) other services.

(1) Articulate the policy and support the framework for both public and private post-secondary education;

(2) Make policy recommendations regarding the planning and management of the integrated system of higher education and the continuing evaluation thereof;

(3) Recommend to the Secretary of Education, Culture and Sports steps to improve the governance of the various components of the higher education system at national and regional levels; and

(4) Assist the Secretary of Education, Culture and Sports in making recommendations relative to the generation of resources and their allocation for higher education.

(1) Conduct studies and formulate, develop, and evaluate programs and educational standards for elementary education;

(2) Undertake studies necessary for the preparation of prototype curricular designs, instructional materials and teacher training programs for elementary education;

(3) Formulate guidelines to improve elementary school physical plans and equipment, and general management of these schools; and

(4) Perform such other functions as may be provided by law.

(1) Conduct studies and formulate, develop and evaluate programs and educational standards for secondary education;

(2) Develop curricular designs, prepare instructional materials, and prepare and evaluate programs to upgrade the quality of the teaching and non-teaching staff at the secondary level;

(3) Formulate guidelines to improve the secondary schools physical plants and equipment, and general management of these schools; and

(4) Perform such other functions as may be provided by law.

(1) Collaborate with other agencies in the formulation of manpower plans;

(2) Conduct studies, formulate, develop and evaluate post-secondary vocational technical staff, and formulate guidelines to improve the physical plant and equipment of post-secondary vocational-technical schools; and

(3) Develop curricular designs and prepare instructional materials, prepare and evaluate programs to upgrade the quality of teaching and non-teaching staff, and formulate guidelines to improve the physical plant and equipment of post-secondary, vocational/technical schools.

(1) Develop, formulate and evaluate programs, projects and educational standards for higher education;

(2) Provide staff assistance to the Board of Higher Education in its policy and advisory functions;

(3) Provide technical assistance to encourage institutional development programs and projects;

(4) Compile, analyze and evaluate data on higher education; and

(5) Perform other functions provided by law.

(1) Serve as a means of meeting the learning needs of those unable to avail themselves of the educational services and programs of formal education;

(2) Coordinate with various agencies in providing opportunities for the acquisition of skills necessary to enhance and ensure continuing employability, efficiency, productivity, and competitiveness in the labor market; and

(3) Serve as a means for expanding access to educational opportunities to citizens of varied interests, demographic characteristics and socio-economic origins of status.

(1) Develop human resources through mass-based sports education;

(2) Improve the general fitness of the citizenry;

(3) Promote social and cultural integration through the revival of indigenous games and sports;

(4) Identify and nurture sports talents and promote excellence in sports, traditional games and other physical activities; and

(5) Perform such other functions as may be provided by law.

(1) Formulate the regional plan of education based on the national plan of the Department taking into account the specific needs and special traditions of the region;

(2) Implement laws, rules, regulations, policies, plans, programs and projects of the Department;

(3) Provide economical, efficient and effective education service to the people;

(4) Coordinate with regional offices of other Departments, Offices and agencies in the region;

(5) Coordinate with local government units; and

(6) Perform such other functions as may be provided by law.

(1) National Museum;

(2) National Library;

(3) National Historical Institute;

(4) Institute of Philippine Languages;

(5) Instructional Materials Corporation;

(6) Instructional Materials Council;

(7) Educational Development Projects Implementing Task Force;

(8) Educational Assistance Policy Council;

(9) National Youth and Sports Development Board;

(10) National Social Action Council;

(11) National Board of Teachers;

(12) Boy Scouts of the Philippines;

(13) Girl Scouts of the Philippines; and

(14) Records Management and Archives Office.

(1) Health and Nutrition Center; and

(2) National Education Testing and Research Center.

1) The school year for public and private schools shall consist of not less than forty (40) weeks for the elementary and secondary levels, and thirty-six (36) weeks for the college level or eighteen (18) weeks a semester.

2) The opening date shall be fixed by the Secretary, but it shall not be earlier than the first day of June nor later than the last day of July of each year unless prevented by fortuitous events.

3) The long school vacation period shall likewise be fixed by the Secretary taking into consideration the convenience of the pupils and the special climatic conditions prevailing during the said period.

4) The dates established for the long school vacation shall not be changed oftener than one every five (5) years without prior public hearing properly advertised in a newspaper of general circulation or announced by the school authorities concerned.

(1) School rituals prepared and prescribed by the Secretary shall be observed in all public and private elementary and secondary schools in the Philippines.

2) The school rituals shall consist of solemn and patriotic mass singing of the Philippine National Anthem and the recitation of prescribed patriotic pledges.

3) The rituals shall be held in school premises as often as may be practicable under the direction of the respective school authorities.

1) All educational institutions shall observe a simple and dignified flag ceremony, including the playing or singing of the Philippine National Anthem.

2) The flag ceremony shall be conducted under the rules and regulations issued by the Secretary.

3) Failure or refusal to observe the flag ceremony in accordance with the rules and regulations issued by the Secretary shall, after proper notice and hearing, subject the educational institution concerned and its head to public censure as an administrative punishment, which shall be published at least once in a newspaper of general circulation.

4) Failure to observe for the second time the said flag ceremony shall, after notice and hearing, be a ground for the cancellation of the recognition or the permit of the private educational institution concerned.

5) Any teacher or student or pupil who refuses to join or participate in the flag ceremony may be dismissed after due investigation .

(1) The State shall afford full protection to labor and promote full employment and equality of employment opportunities for all.

It shall guarantee the rights of all workers to self-organization, collective bargaining negotiations, and peaceful concerted activities, including the right to strike in accordance with law. They shall be entitled to security of tenure, humane conditions of work, and a living wage. They shall also participate in policy and decision-making processes affecting their rights and benefits as may be provided by law.

(2) The State shall promote the principle of shared responsibility between workers and employers and the preferential use of voluntary modes in settling disputes, including conciliation, and shall enforce their mutual compliance therewith to foster industrial peace.

(3) The State shall regulate the relations between workers and employers, recognizing the right of labor to its just share in the fruits of production and the right of enterprises to reasonable returns on investments, and to expansion and growth.

(1) The promotion of gainful employment opportunities and the optimization of the development and utilization of the country's manpower resources;

(2) The advancement of workers' welfare by providing for just and humane working conditions and terms of employment;

(3) The maintenance of industrial peace by promoting harmonious, equitable, and stable employment relations that assure equal protection for the rights of all concerned parties.

(1) Enforce social and labor legislation to protect the working class and regulate the relations between the worker and his employer;

(2) Formulate and recommend policies, plans and programs for manpower development, training, allocation, and utilization;

(3) Recommend legislation to enhance the material, social and intellectual improvement of the nation's labor force;

(4) Protect and promote the interest of every citizen desiring to work locally or overseas by securing for him the most equitable terms and conditions of employment, and by providing social and welfare services;

(5) Regulate the employment of aliens, including the enforcement of a registration or work permit system for such aliens, as provided for by law;

(6) Formulate general guidelines concerning wage and income policy;

(7) Recommend necessary adjustments in wage structures with a view to developing a wage system that is consistent with national economic and social development plans;

(8) Provide for safe, decent, humane and improved working conditions and environment for all workers, particularly women and young workers;

(9) Maintain a harmonious, equitable and stable labor relations system that is supportive of the national economic policies and programs;

(10) Uphold the right of workers and employers to organize and promote free collective bargaining as the foundation of the labor relations system;

(11) Provide and ensure the fair and expeditious settlement and disposition of labor and industrial disputes through collective bargaining, grievance machinery, conciliation, mediation, voluntary arbitration, compulsory arbitration as may be provided by law, and other modes that may be voluntarily agreed upon by the parties concerned; and

(12) Perform such other functions as may be provided by law.

(1) Formulate policies, standards and procedures on productive manpower resources, development, utilization and allocation.

(2) Establish and administer a machinery for the effective allocation of manpower resources for maximum employment and placement;

(3) Develop and maintain a responsive vocational guidance and testing system in aid of proper human resources allocation;

(4) Regulate and supervise private sector participation in the recruitment and placement of workers locally under such rules and regulations as may be issued by the Secretary;

(5) Establish and maintain a registration or work permit system to regulate employment of aliens;

(6) Develop and maintain a labor market information system in aid of proper manpower and development planning;

(7) Formulate employment programs designed to benefit disadvantaged groups and communities; and

(8) Perform other functions as may be provided by law.

(1) Formulate policies and promulgate orders, rules and regulations implementing the provisions of the Labor Code affecting working women and minors;

(2) Set standards which shall protect the welfare of the working women and minors, improve their working conditions, increase their efficiency, secure opportunities for their profitable employment and find ways for their economic, educational, social and cultural advancement;

(3) Prepare and recommend to the Secretary of Labor and Employment the approval and issuance of such rules and regulations necessary in the interpretation of all laws relating to the employment of women and minors;

(4) Undertake studies and submit recommendations on the employment of women and minors in commercial, industrial and agricultural establishments and other places of labor;

(5) Act as the government's clearinghouse of all information relating to working women and minors;

(6) Undertake development studies on the training needs of women and minors and develop programs and projects to enhance their productivity and effective participation in community development;

(7) Protect every child employed in the movie, television, radio and entertainment industries against exploitation, improper influences, hazards and other conditions or circumstances prejudicial to his physical, mental, emotional, social and moral development.

(8) Undertake projects and in-service training programs for working children to improve their potentials for employment and their capabilities and physical fitness, increase their efficiency, secure opportunities for their promotion, prepare them for more responsible positions, and provide for their social, educational and cultural advancement, in cooperation with labor and management; and

(9) Perform such other functions as may be provided by law.

(1) Assist rural workers, displaced farmers, and migratory workers in seeking gainful employment;

(2) Conduct studies and draw up programs for re-training of displaced agricultural workers;

(3) Coordinate with regional offices and local government units in preparing a census of rural workers seeking employment; and

(4) Perform such other functions as may be assigned by the Secretary.

(1) Develop and prescribe safety standards, measures and devices; promote safety consciousness and habits among workers; develop and evaluate occupational safety and health programs for workers;

(2) Develop plans, programs, standards and procedures for the enforcement of laws relating to labor standards, including the operation of boilers, pressure vessels, machinery, internal combustion engines, elevators, electrical equipment, wiring installations, and the construction, demolition, alteration and use of commercial and industrial buildings and other workplaces;

(3) Prepare rules and regulations, interpretative bulletins and legal opinions relating to the administration and enforcement of labor standards; and provide manuals and plan programs for the training of field personnel;

(4) Provide technical and legal assistance to the Labor Standards Commission; and

(5) Perform such other functions as may be provided by law.

(1) Undertake research and studies in all areas of labor and manpower policy and administration;

(2) Review the rationale of existing legislation and regulations and analyze the costs involved in the implementation of such legislation against the benefits expected to be derived;

(3) Study and develop innovative and indigenous approaches towards the promotion of harmonious and productive labor-management and the improvement of workers' welfare services;

(4) Develop and undertake research programs and projects in collaboration with other national agencies to enhance the Department's capability to participate in national decision and policy making;

(5) Enter into agreements with international or bilateral agencies for the carrying out of the foregoing functions;

(6) Expand the scope of its research interests into other countries and regions;

(7) Publish its research studies for dissemination to government as well as to all concerned parties; and

(8) Perform such other functions as may be provided by law.

(1) Formulate, develop and implement plans and programs on the labor statistical system in order to provide the government with timely, accurate and reliable data on labor and employment;

(2) Conduct nationwide surveys and studies which will generate trends and structures on labor and employment;

(3) Develop and prescribe uniform statistical standards, nomenclatures and methodologies for the collection, processing, presentation and analysis of labor and employment data;

(4) Establish appropriate mechanisms for the coordination of all statistical activities in the Department and for collaboration with other government and private agencies including international research organizations in the conduct of surveys and studies in the area of labor and employment;

(5) Disseminate statistical information and provide statistical services or advice to the users by establishing a data bank and issuing the Bureau's statistical materials and research findings;

(6) Develop and undertake programs and projects geared toward enhancement of the technical competence of the Department on theories, techniques and methodologies for the improvement of the labor statistical system;

(7) Monitor and exercise technical supervision over the statistical units in the Department and its agencies; and

(8) Perform such other functions as may be provided by law or assigned by the Secretary.

(1) Formulate policies, programs, standards, procedures, manuals of operation and guidelines pertaining to effective mediation and conciliation of labor disputes;

(2) Perform preventive mediation and conciliation functions;

(3) Coordinate and maintain linkages with other sectors or institutions, and other government authorities concerned with matters relative to the prevention and settlement of labor disputes;

(4) Formulate policies, plans, programs, standards, procedures, manuals of operation and guidelines pertaining to the promotion of cooperative and non-adversarial schemes, grievance handling, voluntary arbitration and other voluntary modes of dispute settlement;

(5) Administer the voluntary arbitration program; maintain or update a list of voluntary arbitrations; compile arbitration awards and decisions;

(6) Provide counselling and preventive mediation assistance particularly in the administration of collective agreements;

(7) Monitor and exercise technical supervision over the Board programs being implemented in the regional offices; and

(8) Perform such other functions as may be provided by law or assigned by the Secretary.

The Tripartite Voluntary Arbitration Advisory Council, which is attached to the National Conciliation and Mediation Board, shall advise the National and Conciliation and Mediation Board on matters pertaining to the promotion of voluntary arbitration as the preferred mode of dispute settlement.

The Tripartite Voluntary Arbitration Advisory Council shall consist of the Administrator of the National Conciliation and Mediation Board as Chairman, one other member from the government, two (2) members representing labor, and two (2) other members representing management. The members shall be appointed by the President to serve for a term of three (3) years. The Chairman and Members shall serve without compensation.

(1) Implement laws, policies, plans, programs, projects, rules and regulations of the Department;

(2) Provide economical, efficient and effective service to the people;

(3) Coordinate with regional offices of other departments and agencies;

(4) Coordinate with local government units; and

(5) Perform such other functions as may be provided by law or assigned by the Secretary.

(1) National Wages Council;

(2) Philippine Overseas Employment Administration;

(3) Employees' Compensation Commission (ECC) which shall include the Executive Director of the ECC as an ex officio member of the Commission;

(4) The National Manpower and Youth Council;

(5) The National Labor Relations Commission;

(6) Overseas Workers' Welfare Administration;

(7) Maritime Training Council; and

(8) National Maritime Polytechnic.

(1) The prime duty of the Government is to serve and protect the people. Government may call upon the people to defend the State and, in fulfillment thereof, all citizens may be required, under conditions provided by law, to render personal military or civil service.

(2) Civilian authority is, at all times, supreme over the military. The Armed Forces of the Philippines is the protector of the people and the State. Its goal is to secure the sovereignty of the State and the integrity of the national territory.

(1) The formulation of integrated and rationalized national, foreign, military, political, economic, social and educational policies, programs, and procedures vital to the security of the state.

(2) The national interest requires that an agency exist to formulate and adopt policies, programs, and procedures on all matters pertaining to or affecting the national security so that judgments and actions thereon by the President may rest on sound advice and accurate information.

(1) Advise the President with respect to the integration of domestic, foreign, military, political, economic, social, and educational policies relating to the national security so as to enable all concerned departments and agencies of the government to meet more effectively, problems and matters involving the national security;

(2) Evaluate and analyze all information, events, and incidents in terms of the risks they pose or implications upon or threats to the overall security and stability of the nation, for the purpose of recommending to the President appropriate action thereon;

(3) Formulate and coordinate the implementation of policies on matters of common interest to the various departments, and agencies of the government concerned with the national security, and make recommendations to the President in connection therewith;

(4) Insure that policies adopted by the Council on national security are effectively and efficiently implemented; and

(5) Make such recommendations or render such other reports as the President may from time to time require.

(1) Serve as the focal point for coordination and integration of government activities involving national intelligence;

(2) Prepare intelligence estimates of local and foreign situations for the formulation of national policies by the President; and

(3) Provide support and assistance to the National Security Council.

(1) The Office of the Director-General which shall undertake the overall management and operation of the various components of the agency, provide executive staff support, public relations, legal service, and internal audit for the Agency;

(2) The Directorate for Operations, headed by the Assistant Director-General for Operations, which shall be responsible for the collection of information;

(3) The Directorate for Production, headed by the Assistant Director-General for Production, which shall be responsible for the preparation of intelligence estimates and other reports, and the maintenance of automated data processing for the Agency;

(4) The Directorate for Administration, headed by the Assistant Director-General for Administration, which shall be responsible for personnel and training, transportation and communications, supplies and materials, grounds and building maintenance, security, and other support services;

(5) The Management and Planning Office which shall formulate plans, policies and programs on the direction, integration and coordination of national intelligence activities and on the operation and management improvement of the Agency;

(6) The Office of the Comptroller which shall, provide financial management and control for the Agency; and

(7) As many Field Stations as may be determined by the Director-General which shall undertake intelligence collection activities and provide reports necessary for the preparation of assessments and estimates.

(1) The National Intelligence Board shall serve as an advisory body to the Director of the Agency, on matters pertaining to the integration and coordination of intelligence activities, and shall make recommendations on such matters as the Director may from time to time submit to it for consideration.

(2) The members of the National Intelligence Board shall be appointed by the President. The National Security Director may sit in all meetings of the Board.

(1) Advise and assist the Secretary in the formulation and implementation of Department's objectives and policies;

(2) Oversee all the operational activities of the Department for which he shall be responsible to the Secretary;

(3) Coordinate the programs and projects of the Department, and be responsible for its economical, efficient, and effective administration;

(4) Serve as deputy to the Secretary, in all matters relating to the operations of the Department; and

(5) Perform such other functions as may be provided by law.

(1) Establish, operate, and maintain government arsenal;

(2) Formulate plans and programs to achieve self-sufficiency in arms, mortars and other weapons and munitions;

(3) Design, develop, manufacture, procure, stockpile, and allocate arms, mortars and other weapons and munitions without the necessity of obtaining any permits or licenses, and devise ways and means for the efficient mobilization of civilian industry to augment the production of the Arsenal in times of emergency; and

(4) Perform such other functions as may be provided by law.

(1) In times of war and other national emergencies of equally grave character, coordinate the activities and functions of various government agencies and instrumentalities, as well as of private institutions and civic organization devoted to public welfare to maximize the utilization of the facilities and resources of the entire nation for the protection and preservation of the civilian population and property;

(2) Establish and administer a comprehensive national civil defense and assistance program to include the estimation of the total material, manpower fiscal requirements for carrying out the said program and coordinate the allocation to local government units such aid in facilities, materials and funds as may be made available by the national government;

(3) Furnish guidance and coordinate the activities of the national government, local governments, private institutions and civic organization for civil preparedness;

(4) Develop and coordinate a program for informing, educating and training the public on civil defense measures and activities; and

(5) Perform such other functions as may be provided by law.

(1) The basic services of the AFP shall be composed of the Major Services. Enlisted personnel of the standing force and the reserve force must belong to one of the basic services.

(2) The technical services of the AFP shall be composed of the Medical Corps, Dental Service, Nurse Corps, Veterinary Corps and the Judge Advocate General Service.

(3) The administrative services shall consist of the Chaplain Service, Women Auxiliary Corps, Medical Administrative Corps and the Corps of Professors.

(4) Appropriate military occupational specialties may be prescribed by the Chief of Staff for each of the basic, technical and administrative services.

(5) Appointment of officers to the basic, technical and administrative services, and enlistment in the basic service shall be governed by rules and regulations prescribed by the Secretary of National Defense.

(1) Formulate and promulgate, subject to the approval of the Secretary of National Defense, policies, rules and regulations governing the adjudication and administration of veterans claims and benefit;

(2) Adjudicate and administer benefits, pensions and other privileges granted to veterans, their heirs and beneficiaries;

(3) Provide medical care and treatment to veterans pursuant to existing law;

(4) Administer, develop, and maintain military shrines;

(5) Formulate policies concerning the affairs, placement and training of ex-servicemen, and assist their widows and dependents, and other retired military personnel; and

(6) Perform such other functions as may be provided by law.

(1) Uphold the sovereignty, support the Constitution, and defend the territory of the Republic of the Philippines against all enemies, foreign and domestic;

(2) Promote and advance the national aims, goals, interests and policies;

(3) Plan, organize, maintain, develop and deploy its regular and citizen reserve forces for national security; and

(4) Perform such other functions as may be provided by law or assigned by higher authorities.

(1) The AFP shall be composed of a citizen armed force which shall undergo military training and serve, as may be provided by law. It shall be organized and maintained in a manner that shall render it capable of rapid expansion from a peacetime organization to a wartime or emergency organization. The AFP shall keep a regular force necessary for the security of the State. The officers and men of the regular force shall be recruited proportionately from all provinces and cities as far as practicable.

(2) The Standing Force shall be composed of regular officers and enlisted personnel; reservists called to active duty; draftees; trainees and government-sponsored Filipino cadets enrolled in local or foreign military schools. In time of peace, the size and composition of the Standing Force shall be prescribed by the Secretary of National Defense, upon recommendation of the Chief of Staff.

(3) The Citizen Armed Force shall be composed of all reservists, and officers and enlisted men on inactive status. All Able-bodied citizens shall undergo military training, after which they shall become reservists with appropriate ranks. All reservists in a particular locality shall be organized into reserve geographical units subject to call and mobilization as the need arises, individually or as a unit. The Secretary of National Defense shall prescribe and implement a continuing program of recruitment and training for the Citizen Armed Force to enable it to respond to all types of threats to national security.

(1) The basic services of the AFP shall be composed of the major services. Enlisted personnel of the standing force and the reserve force must belong to one of basic services.

(2) The technical services of the AFP shall be composed of Medical Corps, Dental Service, Nurse Corps, Veterinary Corps and the Judge Advocate General Service.

(3) The administrative service shall consist of the Chaplain Service, Women Auxiliary Corps, Medical Administrative Corps and the Corps of Professors.

(4) Appropriate military occupational specialties may be prescribed by the Chief of Staff for each of the basic, technical and administrative services.

(5) Appointment of officers to the basic, technical and administrative by rules and regulations prescribed by the Secretary of National Defense.

(1) The Secretary of National Defense shall cause the organization of the Citizen Armed Force into Geographical Units throughout the country. The Citizen Armed Force Geographical Units shall consist of cadre of officers and men in the Standing Force and all qualified reservists residing in a particular locality. The cadre may, however, be assigned to another unit in the active force while the Geographical Units to which they are assigned are on inactive status.

(2) Whenever dictated by military necessity, and upon the recommendation of the Secretary of National Defense and approved by the President, the Citizen Armed Force may be called or mobilized to complement the operations of the regular force of the AFP or to support the regular force formations or units. For this purpose, Active Auxiliary Units which shall be part of the Citizen Armed Force Geographical Units, may be utilized, to be constituted out of volunteers to be screened in consultations with the local executives and civic business leaders. The status of Active Auxiliary Units shall be of a degree of activation of military reservists short of full active duty status. They shall not be vested with law-enforcement or police functions.

(3) All members of the Citizen Armed Force on training or service shall be subject to military law and the Articles of War.

(1) Centralized direction and control of General Headquarters to insure unity and coordination of efforts throughout the military establishment;

(2) Decentralized execution of operations to the Major Services and other separate units to achieve maximum operational efficiency within the military establishment;

(3) Common doctrine, standardized procedures and techniques throughout the military establishment to assure common understanding among all its forces and elements, facilitating thereby the attainment of maximum operational efficiency and effectiveness;

(4) Development of self-reliance concepts for each Major Service to insure national defense and security and maximum utilization of resources; and

(5) Development of the capability to participate in the infrastructure projects of the government.

(1) Serve as military advisor and staff to the Secretary of National Defense;

(2) Prepare strategic plans and provide for the strategic direction of the AFP, including the direction of operations of unified or specified commands;

(3) Prepare integrated logistic responsibilities in accordance with those plans;

(4) Prepare integrated plans for military mobilization;

(5) Provide adequate, timely and reliable joint intelligence for use within the Department;

(6) Review major personnel, material and logistic requirements of the AFP in relation to strategic and logistic plans;

(7) Review plans and programs of the Major Services and separate units to determine their adequacy, feasibility and suitability for the performance of their respective detailed plans;

(8) Participate in the preparation of combined plans or military action in conjunction with the armed forces of other nations;

(9) Recommend to the Secretary of National Defense the establishment and force structure of unified or specified commands;

(10) Determine the headquarters support, such as facilities, personnel and communications required by unified or specified commands, and assign the responsibility of providing that support to appropriate Major Services;

(11) Prepare and submit to the Secretary of National Defense for his consideration in the preparation of budgets and statements of military requirements based upon strategic war plans, tasks, priority of tasks, force requirements, and general strategic guidance for the development of military force;

(12) Advise and assist the Secretary of National Defense on research and engineering matters by submitting periodic reports on board strategic guidance, overall military requirements, and relative military importance of development activities to meet the needs of the AFP;

(13) Prepare and submit to the secretary of National Defense recommendations to appropriate agencies concerning general strategic guidance for the development of industrial mobilization programs;

(14) Formulate policies and guidelines on the organization of the Major Services and other elements of the military establishment, the training of military forces, the employment of forces in the prosecution of tasks required by law, and the employment of forces to assist government agencies in the implementation of laws and regulations when so directed by higher authorities; and

(15) Perform such other functions as may be provided by law or assigned by higher authorities.

(1) The Chief of Staff, under the authority and direction of the President and the Secretary of National Defense shall be responsible for the development and execution of the national defense programs and armed forces mission; and prescribe, in accordance with policies of the Secretary of National Defense, the organization, powers, functions and duties of the various staff, services, installations and other units of the AFP.

(2) The President shall nominate and with the consent of the Commission on Appointments, appoint the Chief of Staff from among the general and flag officers of the basic services. He shall hold the grade of general (Four-Star) and shall if eligible be retired in such a grade, upon relief from his assignment.

(3) The tour of duty of the Chief of Staff shall not exceed three (3) years. However, in times of war or other national emergency declared by the Congress, the President may extend such tour of duty.

(1) The Secretary of National Defense, upon recommendation of the Chief of Staff in the interest of efficiency and economy, may:

(2) If the President does not prescribe otherwise, the organization, functions, and duties of various staffs, offices and units in the General Headquarters shall continue as provided under existing laws and regulations not in conflict with provisions of this Chapter.

(1) Organize, train and equip forces for the conduct of prompt and sustained operations on land;

(2) Prepare such units as may be necessary for the effective prosecution of the national defense plans and programs and armed forces missions, including the expansion of the peacetime army component to meet any emergency;

(3) Develop, in coordination with the other Major Services, tactics, techniques and equipment of interest to the army for field operations;

(4) Organize, train and equip all army reserve units; and

(5) Perform such other functions as may be provided by law or assigned by higher authorities.

(1) Organize, train, and equip forces for prompt and sustained air operations for the defense of the Philippines;

(2) Organize, train, and equip for airlift, airborne and tactical air operations unilaterally or in coordination with surface forces;

(3) Formulate and develop doctrines, concepts, systems, policies, procedures, strategies, tactics and techniques for operations peculiar to the Air Force;

(4) Organize, train, and equip all air force reserve units; and

(5) Perform such other functions as may be provided by law or assigned by higher authorities.

(1) Organize, train and equip forces for prompt and sustained naval operations;

(2) Prepare the necessary naval units for the effective enforcement of all applicable laws upon the Philippine seas and waters, the prosecution of national defense plans and programs and armed forces missions, including the expansion of a peacetime navy component to meet any emergency;

(3) Formulate and develop doctrines, concepts, systems, policies, procedures, strategies, tactics and techniques for operations peculiar to the Navy;

(4) Enforce laws and regulations pertaining to navigation safety of life at sea, immigration, customs revenues, narcotics, quarantine, fishing and neutrality of the territory contiguous waters of the Philippines;

(5) Organize, train and equip all naval reserve units; and

(6) Perform such other functions as may be provided by law of assigned by higher authorities.

(1) The Philippine Constabulary shall:

(2) In times of war or national emergency, the Philippine Constabulary or any of its subordinate units may be employed jointly with, or in support of the operations of, the other Major Services, as the President may direct.

(1) Commissioned officers and enlisted personnel of the Philippine Constabulary, as peace officers, shall execute lawful warrants and orders of arrest issued against any person for any violation of law.

(2) The Philippine Constabulary shall have police jurisdiction throughout the Philippines.

(3) When the constabulary forces in any area are unable to cope effectively with violations of law, the Secretary of National Defense in accordance with the policies or directives of the President, may assign or detail commissioned officers and enlisted personnel of the Army, Air Force, or Navy, to the Philippine Constabulary or any of its subordinate units. The officers and enlisted personnel so assigned or detailed shall have the authority and duties of peace officers and shall be governed by the provisions of this section for the duration of their assignment or detail.

(1) The Philippine Military Academy is the primary training and educational institution of the AFP. It shall be the primary sources of regular officers of the Standing Force.

(2) The Academy shall be organized as prescribed by the Secretary of National Defense, upon recommendation of the Chief of Staff, AFP.

(3) The student body of the Academy shall be known as the Cadet Corps of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (CC-AFP) and shall have such strength as the Secretary of National Defense shall determine upon the recommendation of the Chief of Staff, and within the strength limited by the annual Appropriation Act.

(4) There shall be an Academic Board organized by the Chief of Staff, which shall be composed of not more than fifteen (15) members selected from the officers of the Academy upon recommendation of the Superintendent. The Board shall, in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the Chief of Staff, have the power to confer baccalaureate degrees upon the cadets who satisfactorily complete the approved course of study.

(1) The National Defense College of the Philippines, hereafter referred to as the College, shall be under the direction, supervision and control of the Secretary of National Defense.

(2) The College shall be headed by a President who shall administer the affairs of the College with the assistance of an Executive Vice-President, a Vice-President for Academic Affairs, a Vice-President for Administrative Affairs and a Vice-President for Research and Special Studies. The Executive Vice-President shall act for the President in his absence and shall perform such other functions as may be assigned to him by the President.

(3) The Vice-President for Academic Affairs shall be responsible for the development, implementation, supervision and evaluation of academic programs; the Vice-President for Administrative Affairs, for the overall administrative support to all the activities of the College; and the Vice-President for Research and Special Studies, on the conduct of research work and special studies.

(4) The College shall have an Academic Board to assist the President discharge the following functions:

The Board shall be composed of the Vice-President for Academic Affairs as Chairman, and the Heads of the various academic disciplines as members, who shall be designated by the President subject to the approval of the Secretary of National Defense.

(5) All resource persons of the College including but not limited to academic consultants, professors, lecturers, instructor, thesis advisers, members of examining and evaluating panels, examiners, correctors, and technicians who are regularly employed in the Government shall, in addition to their salaries, be entitled to receive honoraria, fees and other emoluments fixed by the Secretary of National Defense.

(1) The College shall train and develop the skills and competence of potential national defense leaders, civilian officials of the different agencies and instrumentalities of the Government, and selected executives from the private sector in the formulation and implementation of national security policies, and for high command and staff duty.

(2) The College shall have the power to confer the degree of Master in National Security Administration (MNSA) upon all its students who have satisfactorily completed the prescribed course of study.

(1) Graduates of the College will receive for purposes of promotion to key and sensitive positions in the military and civilian offices, preferential consideration and/or credit points in the grade or class of their respective positions.

(2) All civilian graduates who are holders of the degree of Master in National Security Administration shall qualify for appointment to the initial rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the reserve force of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

(3) Authority to use with honor the abbreviation MNSA after their names is hereby given to all graduates of the regular course of the College.

(1) Enforce law and maintain peace and order;

(2) Insure public safety;

(3) Prevent and control fires;

(4) Administer city and municipal jails; and

(5) Perform such other functions provided by law or assigned by higher authorities.

(1) The State shall establish and maintain one police force which shall be national in scope and civilian in character, to be administered and controlled by a national police commission and shall provide, by law, the authority of local executives over the police units in their jurisdiction.

(2) The maintenance of peace and order, the protection of life, liberty, and property, and the promotion of the general welfare are essential for the enjoyment by all the people of the blessings of democracy.

(1) Investigate, decide, and review administrative cases against members of the Integrated National Police;

(2) Adjudicate death and permanent disability benefit claims of members of the Integrated National Police;

(3) Administer appropriate examinations for the police, fire and jail services;

(4) Attest appointments of members of the Integrated National Police;

(5) Inspect and audit the performance of the Integrated National Police;

(6) Prepare a National Crime Prevention Program and coordinate its implementation upon approval by the President; and

(7) Perform other duties provided by law or assigned by higher authorities.

(1) Define the national health policy and formulate and implement a national health plan within the framework of the government's general policies and plans, and present proposals to appropriate authorities on national issues which have health implications;

(2) Provide for health programs, services, facilities and other requirements as may be needed, subject to availability of funds and administrative rules and regulations;

(3) Coordinate or collaborate with, and assist local communities, agencies and interested groups including international organizations in activities related to health;

(4) Administer all laws, rules and regulations in the field of health, including quarantine laws and food and drug safety laws;

(5) Collect, analyze and disseminate statistical and other relevant information on the country's health situation, and require the reporting of such information from appropriate sources;

(6) Propagate health information and educate the population on important health, medical and environmental matters which have health implications;

(7) Undertake health and medical research and conduct training in support of its priorities, programs and activities;

(8) Regulate the operation of and issue licenses and permits to government and private hospitals, clinics and dispensaries, laboratories, blood banks, drugstores and such other establishments which by the nature of their functions are required to be regulated by the Department;

(9) Issue orders and regulations concerning the implementation of established health policies; and

(10) Perform such other functions as may be provided by law.

(1) Community Health Service which shall provide services related to formulating and implementing plans and programs for coordinating with local governments and non-government organizations in health related activities, programs and projects;

(2) Public Information and Health Education Service which shall provide services related to formulating and implementing plans, programs, and projects for public education on health and for the timely and accurate public communication of Department policy on health issues;

(3) Health Intelligence Service which shall provide services related to the formulation of disease intelligence, assessment of the state of health of the country and development and maintenance of effective and comprehensive health information system to support planning and implementation of health programs;

(4) Internal Planning Service which shall provide the Department with necessary services related to planning, programming and project development;

(5) Foreign Assistance Coordination Service which shall provide staff services related to the development, coordination, monitoring, reporting and assessment of foreign assisted projects of the Department.

(1) Advise the Secretary in the promulgation of Department orders, administrative orders and other issuances;

(2) Exercise supervision and control over the offices, services, operating units and individuals under their authority and responsibility;

(3) Recommend the promulgation of rules and regulations, consistent with Department policies, that will effectively implement the activities of operating units under their authority and responsibility;

(4) Coordinate the functions and activities of the units under their authority with that of the Undersecretaries and regional health directors;

(5) Exercise delegated authority on substantive and administrative matters related to the functions and activities of agencies under their office to the extent granted by the Secretary through administrative issuances;

(6) Perform such other functions as may be provided by law or appropriately assigned by the Secretary.

(1) Financial Services which shall provide the Department with staff advice and assistance on accounting, budget and financial matters; supervise the coordinated preparation and implementation of annual and long term financial and work plan and budget estimates; conduct periodic department-wide performance and financial reviews; and design and implement improvements in financial management systems, procedures and practices;

(2) Management Advisory Service which shall provide staff advice and assistance on internal control and management system improvement, including management information systems; supervise the establishment of a management accounting system, control procedures and management information systems for improved decision-making;

(3) Health Manpower Development and Training Service which shall formulate plans, policies, standards and techniques for the effective and efficient manpower development and training of Department personnel; provide consultative, training and advisory services to implementing agencies; conduct studies and research related to health manpower development and training; and develop plans and programs for improved recruitment, deployment, development, and maintenance of personnel;

(4) Procurement and Logistics Service which shall undertake the central procurement of the health care products and supplies needed by the Department and its field offices which are not produced by or beyond the production capacity of its in-house production facilities; and ensure the proper, adequate and timely flow of health products and services to the Department's field offices;

(5) Biological Production Services which shall formulate plans, policies, programs, standards and techniques for the processing, manufacture, standardization, and improvement of biological products for Department use; manufacture vaccines, sera, anti-iodins, and other biologicals; provide consultative training and advisory services to implementing agencies; and conduct studies and research related to biological production, distribution and use;

(6) Administrative Service which shall provide the Department with efficient and effective services relating to personnel, records, collections, disbursements, security, custodial work, and other general services not covered by the preceding Services.

(1) Maternal and Child Health Services which shall formulate plans, policies, programs, standards and techniques relative to maternal and child health; provide consultative training and advisory services to implementing agencies; and conduct studies and research related to health services for mothers and children;

(2) Tuberculosis Control Service which shall formulate plans, policies, programs, standards and techniques relative to control morbidity and mortality from tuberculosis; provide consultative, training and advisory services to implementing agencies; and conduct studies and research related to tuberculosis;

(3) Family Planning Service which shall formulate plans, policies, programs, standards and techniques relative to family planning in the context of health and family welfare; provide consultative, training and advisory services to implementing agencies; and conduct studies and research related to family planning;

(4) Environmental Health Service which shall formulate plans, policies, programs, standards and techniques relative to environmental health and sanitation; provide consultative, training and advisory services to implementing agencies; and conduct studies and research related to environmental health;

(5) Nutrition Service which shall formulate plans, policies, programs, standards and techniques relative to nutrition services in the context of primary health care, provide consultative, training and advisory services to implementing agencies; and conduct studies and research related to Nutrition;

(6) Dental Health Service which shall formulate plans, policies, programs, standards and techniques relative to dental health services; provide consultative, training and advisory services to implementing agencies; and conduct studies and research related to dental services.

(7) Malaria Control Service which shall formulate plans, policies, programs, standards and techniques relative to the control of malaria; provide consultative, training and advisory services to implementing agencies; and conduct studies and research to malaria and its control;

(8) Schistosomiasis Control Service which shall formulate plans, policies, programs, standards and techniques relative to the control of schistosomiasis; provide consultative, training and advisory services to implementing agencies; and conduct studies and research related to schistosomiasis and its control;

(9) Communicable Disease Control Service which shall formulate plans, policies, programs, standards and techniques relative to the control of communicable diseases, other than the major causes or mortality and morbidity, such as leprosy, sexually transmitted diseases, filariasis and others; provide consultative, training and advisory services to implementing agencies; and conduct studies and research related to these other communicable diseases;

(10) Non-communicable Disease Control Services which shall formulate plans, policies, programs, standards and techniques relative to the control of non-communicable diseases; provide consultative, training and advisory services to implementing agencies; and conduct studies and research related to mental illness, cardiovascular-diseases, cancer, other non-communicable diseases, and occupational health.

(1) Hospital Operations and Management Service which shall formulate and implement plans, programs, policies, standards and techniques related to management improvement and quality control of hospital operations; provide consultative, training and advisory services to field offices in relation to the supervision and management of hospital components; and conduct studies and research related to hospital operations and management;

(2) Radiation Health Service which shall formulate and implement plans, policies, programs, standards and techniques to ensure radiation health safety; provide consultative, monitoring, training and advisory services to private and government facilities with radiation-emitting apparatus; and conduct studies and research related to radiation health;

(3) Hospital Maintenance Service which shall formulate and implement plans, programs, policies, standards and techniques related to assuring the proper maintenance of Department equipment; provide consultative, training and advisory services to implementing agencies in relation to preservation, repair and maintenance of medical and non-medical equipment of the Department; and conduct studies and research related to equipment and facility maintenance;

(4) Health Infrastructure Service which shall formulate and implement plans, policies, programs, standards and techniques related to development and preservation of health infrastructure; provide consultative, training and advisory services to implementing agencies in relation to infrastructure projects to assure economical and efficient implementation; and conduct studies and research related to infrastructure development and utilization.

(1) Bureau of Research and Laboratories which shall develop and formulate plans, standards and policies for the establishment and accreditation and licensing of laboratories; blood banks and entities handling biological products, provide consultative, training and advisory services to public and private laboratories; and conduct studies and research related to laboratory procedures and operations;

(2) Bureau of Food and Drugs which shall act as the policy formulation and sector monitoring arm of the Secretary on matters pertaining to foods, drugs, traditional medicines, cosmetics and household products containing hazardous substances, and the formulation of rules, regulations and standards in accordance with Republic Act 3720 (1963), as amended by Executive Order No. 175, s. 1987, and other pertinent laws for their proper enforcement; prescribe general standards and guidelines with respect to the veracity of nutritional and medicinal claims in the advertisement of food, drugs and cosmetics in the various media, to monitor such advertisements; advise the Department's field offices to call upon any erring manufacturer, distributor, or advertiser to desist from such inaccurate or misleading nutritional or medicinal claims in their advertising; should such manufacturer, distributor, or advertiser refuse or fail to obey the desistance order issued by the Bureau, he shall be subject to the applicable penalties as may be prescribed by law and regulations; the Bureau shall provide consultative, training and advisory services to all agencies and organizations involved in food and drug manufacturing and distribution with respect to assuring safety and efficacy of food and drugs; conduct studies and research related to food and drug safety; maintain a corps of specially trained food and drugs inspectors for assignment to the various field offices of the Department; while these inspectors shall be under the technical supervision and guidance of the Bureau, they shall be under the administrative supervision of the head of the field office to which they shall be assigned, the latter being responsible for regulatory program implementation within the geographic area of his jurisdiction;

(3) Bureau of Licensing and Regulation which shall formulate policies and establish the standards for the licensing and regulation of hospitals, clinics and other health facilities; establish standards that shall be the basis of inspections and licensure procedures of the Department's field offices; and provide consultative, training and advisory services to field offices on the conduct of licensing and regulatory functions over hospitals, clinics and other health facilities.

(4) National Quarantine Office which shall formulate and implement quarantine laws and regulations and, through its field offices, exercise supervision over rat-proof zones in designated international ports and airports and over medical examination of aliens for immigration purposes.

(1) Regional Health Offices (other than the National Capital Region) and subordinate units that include regional medical centers, regional hospitals, provincial health offices including component hospitals and district health offices, city health offices;

(2) Regional Health Office for the National Capital Region: Municipal Health Offices of Makati, Mandaluyong, Pasig, Marikina, Las Piñas, Muntinlupa, San Juan, Valenzuela, Navotas, Malabon, Parañaque, Taguig, Pateros;

(3) National Health Facilities which are health facilities classified as National Health Resources because their services and activities accrue to the whole country's health care and infrastructure. These facilities are of two classifications: National Medical Centers and the Special Research Centers and Hospitals, which are attached to the Department:

(1) Implement laws and rules, regulations, policies, plans, programs and projects of the Department in the region;

(2) Provide efficient and effective health and medical services to the people;

(3) Coordinate with regional offices of other departments, offices, and agencies in the region;

(4) Coordinate with local government units; and

(5) Perform such other functions as may be provided by law.

(1) Formulate and implement policies, plans and programs relative to the development, expansion, promotion and regulation of trade, industry, and investments;

(2) Consolidate and coordinate all functions and efforts pertaining to the promotion of exports, diversification and decentralization of industries, and development of foreign trade;

(3) Encourage and promote the growth and expansion of industries which make full use of human and natural resources and which are competitive in domestic and foreign markets;

(4) Adopt and implement measures to protect Filipino enterprises against unfair foreign competition and trade practices.

(5) Provide incentives to broaden the base of ownership of large-scale industrial enterprises and accelerate the formulation and growth of small and medium-scale enterprises;

(6) Regulate the importation of essential consumer and producer items to maintain their fair and competitive prices to end-users;

(7) Protect consumers from trade malpractices and from substandard or hazardous products;

(8) Adopt and implement measures to prohibit combinations in restraint of trade and unfair competition;

(9) Develop the capabilities of industry to increase the domestic content of its products and upgrade the quality of products according to competitive international standards;

(10) Encourage and support the formation of People's Economic Councils at regional, provincial and municipal levels as well as other trade, industry and consumer protection institutions or associations;

(11) Upgrade and develop the manufacture of local capital goods and precision machinery components;

(12) Formulate the appropriate mechanics to guide and manage the transfer of appropriate industrial technology in the country;

(13) Formulate country and product export strategies which will guide the export promotion and development thrusts of the government; and implement programs and activities geared towards the overseas promotion of Philippine exports in overseas markets;

(14) Take the primary role in negotiating and reviewing existing international trade agreements, particularly those affecting commodity quotas limiting existing exports of Philippine products to determine programs for renegotiations of more favorable terms;

(15) Administratively adjudicate and impose reasonable fines and penalties for violation of existing trade and industry laws;

(16) Prepare, for consideration of the Monetary Board, proposed programs in the commercial banking sector for directing commercial lending facilities towards priority areas of commercial and industrial development, as well as coordinate government direct funding and financial guarantee programs to achieve trade and industry growth;

(17) Issue subpoena and subpoena duces tecum to compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of the necessary information, papers and documents which it may deem necessary in the exercise of its powers and functions;

(18) Prescribe and enforce compliance with such rules and regulations as may be necessary to implement the intent and provisions of this Code, which rules and regulations shall take effect fifteen (15) days following their publication in the Official Gazette; and

(19) Perform such other functions as may be necessary or incidental in carrying into effect the provisions of this Code and as may be provided by law.

(1) The Undersecretary for Policy Planning and Support Services shall supervise the Office of Policy Research, the Office of Operational Planning, the Office of Legal Affairs, the Human Resource Development Service, the General Administrative Service, the Management Information Service, the Financial Management Service and the Public Relations Office;

(2) The Office of Policy Research shall coordinate and help formulate general trade and industry policies for the Department; evaluate the effectiveness of trade and industry programs as such, as their implementation by the Department's Line Operating Units; and research on trade and industry issues for policy analysis and formulation;

(3) The Office of Operational Planning shall develop operating plans, programs and projects of the Department as such; supervise the Annual Trade and Industry Development Planning Conferences between government and the private sector; evaluate the cost-effectiveness of various projects and activities of the Department; coordinate the updating of the Department's operating plans in response to relevant environment changes; review the Department's performance against standards and targets previously established; and provide staff services related to the development, monitoring, reporting and assessment of foreign assisted projects of the Department;

(4) The Office of Legal Affairs shall provide the Secretary with legal advise on all policies, programs, and operational matters of the Department, serve as Counsel for the Department in cases in which it is a party; handle administrative cases against Department personnel and submit recommendations pertaining thereto; and review legislative proposals;

(5) The Human Resource Development Service shall design and implement human resource development plans and programs for the personnel of the Department; provide for present and future manpower needs of the organization; and maintain high morale and favorable employee attitudes towards the organization through the continuing design and implementation of employee development programs;

(6) The Financial Management Service shall formulate and manage a financial program to ensure availability and proper utilization of funds; and provide for an effective monitoring system of the financial operations of the Department;

(7) The General Administrative Service shall provide services relative to procurement and allocation of supplies and equipment, transportation, messengerial work, cashiering, payment of salaries and other Department obligations, office maintenance, property safety and security, and other utility services; and comply with government regulatory requirements in the areas of performance appraisal, compensation and benefits, employment records and reports;

(8) The Management Information Service shall design and implement a comprehensive management information system, both computerized and manual, for the Department; provide technical assistance to the various information generating units within the Department; and establish data exchange linkages with public and private agencies whenever feasible;

(9) The Public Relations Office shall perform The Department's public relations function: provide a two-way flow of information between the Department and its constituencies; and coordinate the Secretary's regular press conferences and the Department's relations with the mass media;

(10) The Trade and Investment Information Center shall, as the primary information arm of the Department, design and operate a computerized system of collection, documentation, storage, retrieval, and timely dissemination of comprehensive and relevant information on trade, industry, and investment for use by other government agencies and the business sector; coordinate and monitor the information campaigns on the Department's services, programs, and projects; develop a communications programs to promote Philippine investment opportunities and the country's export products which shall be directed at foreign audiences; and provide creative services to other units of the Department in support of their own information programs;

(11) The National Industrial Manpower Training Council shall act as the umbrella agency to coordinate and operate the Cottage Industry Technology Center, the Construction Manpower Development Foundation, and the Construction Manpower Development Center and perform other functions such as initiating specialized industrial training centers and identifying supply-demand factors and industrial skills subject to the direction formulated by the National Manpower and Youth Council; and

(12) There is hereby created in the Office of the Secretary the Office of Special Concerns to attend to matters that require special attention, whether involving a matter that crosses several functional areas, demands urgent action, or otherwise necessitates, in the Secretary's opinion, attention by a special group.

(1) Regional Offices. These are offices which shall be located in the National Capital Region and each of the twelve (12) other administrative regions of the country. They shall be operated and maintained on a Department-wide basis, acting as implementing arms in the regions under their jurisdiction, of the Department's policies, programs, rules and regulations as well as those laws which the Department is mandated to enforce.

(2) Line Corporate Agencies and Government Entities. These are the government entities and the government-owned or controlled corporations under the administrative supervision of the Department which are deemed to be integral parts of the Department structure notwithstanding their organizational form, and which perform a focal and implemental role in the Department's programs for the development of trade, industry and investments.

(1) Bureau of Trade Regulations and Consumer Protection. This Bureau shall formulate and monitor the implementation of programs for the effective enforcement of laws, correct interpretation and adoption of policies on monopolies and restraint of trade, mislabelling, product misrepresentation and other unfair trade practices; monitor the registration of business names and the licensing and accreditation of establishments and practitioners; protect and safeguard the interest of consumers and the public, particularly the health and safety implications of intrinsic products features, product representation, and the like; and establish the basis for evaluating consumer complaints and product utility failures.

(2) Bureau of Domestic Trade Promotion. This Bureau shall prepare and monitor the implementation of plans and programs directed at the promotion and development of domestic trade, particularly in the area of efficiency, fairness and balance in the distribution of essential products and services and in the strengthening of the domestic base for export activities; conceptualize, monitor, and evaluate programs, plans and projects intended to create awareness of domestic marketing opportunities for new projects, new technologies and investments.

(3) Bureau of Patents, Trademarks, and Technology Transfer. This Bureau shall examine applications for grant of letters, patent for inventions, utility models and industrial designs, and the subsequent grant or refusal of the same; register trademarks, tradenames, service marks and other marks of ownership; hear and adjudicate contested proceedings affecting rights to patents and trademarks; receive, process for registration and evaluate technology transfer arrangements as to their appropriateness and need for the technology or industrial property rights, reasonableness of the technology payment, and for the prohibition of restrictive business clauses, and comply with all its statutory publication requirements by publishing the same in a newspaper of general circulation or in the Official Gazette.

(4) Bureau of Product Standards. This Bureau shall review the products contained in the critical imports list in accordance with established national standards or relevant international standards and buyer-seller specifications; promulgate rules and regulations necessary for the country's shift to the international system of units; study and carry out research on the various reference materials to be used as basis for the start of whatever analysis or evaluation is demanded by the products under examination or investigation; establish standards for all products of the Philippines for which no standards have as yet been fixed by law, executive order, rules and regulations and which products are not covered by the standardization activities of other government agencies; participate actively in international activities on standardization, quality control and metrology; ensure the manufacture, production, and distribution of quality products for the protection of consumers; test and analyze standardized and unstandardized products for purposes of product standard formulation and certification; extend technical assistance to producers to improve the quality of their products; check length, mass and volume measuring instruments; and maintain consultative liaison with the International Organization for Standardization, Pacific Area Standards Congress, and other international standards organizations.

(5) Video Regulatory Board. This Board shall regulate videogram establishments; prevent unfair practices, unfair competition, pirating of legitimately produced video products, and other deceptive, unfair and unconscionable acts and practices to protect the viewing public and the general public.

(1) Bureau of International Trade Relations. This Bureau shall be the primary agent responsible for all matters pertaining to foreign trade relations, whether bilateral, regional or multilateral, especially market access and market access related matters; formulate positions and strategies for trade negotiations, consultations and conferences as well as supervise trade negotiations, consultations and conferences; coordinate with other Departments and agencies of the Philippine government with the view of assuring consistency in the government's positions in trade negotiations and on other activities pertaining to foreign trade relations; consult with industry groups and provide technical advice and information on the above matters and activities; identify tariff and non-tariff barriers affecting products of export interest to the Philippines, and negotiate measures for liberalizing them at bilateral, regional and multilateral form; and evaluate and submit recommendations on existing and proposed commercial policies of the Philippines.

(2) Bureau of Export Trade Promotion. This Bureau shall formulate and monitor programs, plans, and projects pertinent to the development, promotion, and expansion of the foreign trade of the Philippines; formulate country and product export strategies; conduct research on new product development and adaptation opportunities in the export markets, as well as identify the domestic supply base for such products, prepare situation reports on all export production; prepare and update country and regional market profiles; maintain an integrated information system on all aspects of the products and commodities relevant to export marketing; formulate, plan, supervise, coordinate and monitor the implementation of both private and official incoming and outgoing missions, and review the results of such; promote and coordinate international subcontracting arrangements between and among foreign and Philippine investors whereby production operations and facilities may be located in the Philippines; formulate and monitor the implementation of policies and guidelines for the registration and certification of bona fide exporters eligible for the various export incentive programs of the Philippines; and review and identify appropriate measures to minimize or deregulate export-import procedures and other foreign trade laws necessary to stimulate the international marketing of Philippine products.

(3) Foreign Trade Service Corps. This Corps shall assist Philippine businessmen, producers, and exporters with marketing information, project development support, and liaison with foreign government agencies; develop marketing and commercial intelligence for dissemination to Philippine businessmen through the Trade and Investment Information Center; provide direct support to the Department's overseas promotional programs; assist Philippine businessmen handle trade complaints against foreign firms and governments; support Department units in import and export administration, monitoring of trade agreements, and investments promotion; and be accountable for establishment of foreign investment and export targets for their respective areas of responsibility.

In addition to the existing Foreign Trade Service Corps. the President may appoint Trade Commissioners with the rank of Assistant Secretary to coordinate trade and investment matters in the various continents to which they are assigned for the purpose of increasing trade and investments.

(4) Bonded Export Marketing Board. This Board shall promote the establishment of bonded manufacturing and trading facilities for the re-export of those products where a clear net value added may be generated based on the emerging comparative advantage of the Philippine export industry; study and analyze the international market for specific products where the Philippines has or can develop a comparative advantage; recommend to the Bureau of Customs the licensing of bonded manufacturing facilities and monitor all bonded manufacturing sites, with the objective of ensuring operational efficiency; identify and designate sites where export bonded manufacturing sites shall be located with a view of dispersal to the regions; and initiate studies on the development and maintenance of the country's competitive advantage in export products.

(5) Philippine Shippers' Council. This Council shall represent Philippine shippers in international liner conferences and negotiate in their behalf, for more favorable freight and shipping rates; evaluate and issue waivers to the use of Philippine flag carriers; and provide assistance and information to Philippine shippers, specially exporters, in matters related to shipping.

(6) Philippine Trade Training Center. This Center shall develop training modules on export and import techniques and procedures; raise the level of awareness of Philippine businessmen of export opportunities and the availability of alternative sources of import products or diversified markets for exports; offer specialized courses for specific industry groups directed at overcoming barriers to overseas market penetration; and conduct training programs in international trade practices, inspection techniques and exhibitions mounting.

(7) Product Development and Design Center of the Philippines. This Center shall provide product identification, research, and development services to the private sector; conduct seminars and workshops on product design and development; set up design exhibitions; publish product design related materials; and conduct continuing research on product and product packaging design trends and processing technologies.

(1) Bureau of Small and Medium Business Development. This Bureau shall formulate and monitor development programs for private institutions involved in assisting the trade and industry sector, delivery mechanisms and linkages for marketing, financial and subcontracting services, and development programs for livelihood and micro, small and medium enterprises.

(2) Board of Investments, whose functions are defined below.

(3) Export Processing Zone Authority, whose functions are defined below.

(4) Bureau of Import Services. This Bureau shall monitor import levels and prices, particularly liberalized items; analyze and forecast import levels; analyze and publish import return statistics; perform annual reviews of the substantive components of the Philippine Tariff System and submit recommendations thereon; perform such other functions on import transactions as the President or the Central Bank of the Philippines shall delegate or authorize; and ensure that the Department's views on goods under the jurisdiction of other Departments are taken into consideration.

(5) Iron and Steel Authority.

(6) Construction Industry Authority of the Philippines.

(1) Implement pertinent laws, and the rules, regulations, policies, plans, programs and projects of the Department;

(2) Provide efficient and effective service to the people;

(3) Coordinate with the regional offices of other departments, offices and agencies in the region;

(4) Coordinate with the local government units; and

(5) Perform such other functions as may be provided by law or appropriately assigned by the Secretary.

(1) National Development Company. This Company shall promote investments in or establish enterprises for the express purposes of encouraging the private sector to follow suit by proving the financial viability of such enterprises; or of filling critical gaps in the input-output structure of Philippine commerce and industry when the private sector is unwilling or unable to engage in such enterprises because of the magnitude of investments required or the risk complexion of the undertaking.

(2) Garments and Textile Export Board. This Board, which shall be supervised by the Undersecretary for International Trade, shall oversee the implementation of the garment and textile agreements between the Philippines and other countries, particularly garments and textiles quotas; approve quota allocations and export authorizations; issue export licenses and adopt appropriate measures to expedite their processing; provide the necessary information and statistics relating to the administration of garments and textiles export quotas and the flow of garments and textiles exports for monitoring purposes and for negotiations with other countries; implement rules and regulations for the administration of all international textile agreements entered into between the Philippines and importing countries; and fix and collect reasonable fees for the issuance of export quotas, export authorizations, export licenses, and other related services, in accordance with the Department policies, rules and regulations.

(3) International Coffee Organization-Certifying Agency. This Agency, which shall be supervised by the Undersecretary for International Trade, shall oversee the implementation of the coffee agreements between the Philippines and other countries, particularly coffee quotas.

(4) Philippine International Trading Corporation. This Corporation, which shall be supervised by the Undersecretary for International Trade, shall only engage in both export and import trading on new or non-traditional products and markets not normally pursued by the private business sector; provide a wide range of export oriented auxiliary services to the private sector; arrange for or establish comprehensive system and physical facilities for handling the collection, processing, and distribution of cargoes and other commodities; monitor or coordinate risk insurance services for existing institutions; promote or organize, whenever warranted, production enterprises and industrial establishments and collaborate or associate in joint venture with any person, association, company, or entity, whether domestic or foreign, in the fields of production, marketing, procurement, and other related businesses; and provide technical, advisory, investigatory, consultancy, and management services with respect to any and all of the functions, activities, and operations of the corporation.

(5) Board of Investments. This Board, which shall be supervised by the Undersecretary for Industry and Investments shall be responsible for coordinating the formulation and implementation of short, medium and long term industrial plans as well as promoting investments in the Philippines in accordance with national policies and priorities; register, monitor, and grant investment incentives to individual enterprises; formulate policies and guidelines aimed at creating an environment conducive to the expansion of existing investments or attracting prospective investments in the Philippines, Provided, That the Board shall place primary emphasis on its promotive functions.

(6) Export Processing Zone Authority. This Authority which shall be supervised by the Undersecretary for Industry and Investments, shall develop and manage export processing zones, in consonance with Department policies and programs.

(7) The Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions, Inc. is hereby merged with the Philippine Trade Exhibition Center. The latter shall be the surviving entity and is hereby renamed "Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions."

(1) Implement laws, programs and policies for the acquisition and distribution of all agricultural lands as provided by laws;

(2) Resettle landless farmers and farmworkers in government-owned agricultural estates which shall be distributed to them as provided by law;

(3) Recommend and provide incentives for voluntary sharing of lands by owners of agricultural lands;

(4) Acquire, determine the value, subdivide into family-size farms, develop and distribute to qualified tillers, actual occupants and displaced urban poor, private agricultural lands regardless of area and crops planted;

(5) Administer and dispose of, under a settlement scheme, all portions of the public domain declared as alienable and disposable lands for speedy distribution to and development by deserving and qualified persons who do not own any land and under such terms and conditions as the Department may prescribe, giving priority to qualified and deserving farmers in the province where such lands are located;

(6) Provide free legal assistance to farmers covered by agrarian reform and expedite the resolution of agrarian conflicts and land tenure problems either through conciliatory or adversary proceedings;

(7) Provide creative, responsive and effective information, education and communication programs and projects both for the tenant beneficiaries, landowners, the government and private sectors and the general public, thereby generating a broad spectrum of support and understanding of the new agrarian reform program;

(8) Strengthen agrarian reform beneficiaries organizations to a degree of national viability that would enable them to share in the shaping of government policies and institutionalize farmers' participation in agrarian reform policy formulation, program implementation and evaluation;

(9) Promote the organization and development of cooperatives of agrarian reform beneficiaries and register the same;

(10) Implement all agrarian reform laws and for the this purpose issue subpoena, subpoena duces tecum, and writs of execution of its orders, and decisions and other legal processes to ensure compliance from all parties concerned for successful and expeditious program implementation;

(11) Undertake land surveys on lands covered by agrarian reform, and issue patents to farmers covered by agrarian reform, both on private and public lands;

(12) Develop, implement and undertake alternative and innovative land development schemes and land tenure systems such as, but not limited to land consolidation, land farming cooperative farming and agro-industrial estates;

(13) Approve or disapprove conversion of agricultural lands to non-agricultural uses such as residential and industrial conversions in accordance with the existing provisions of law;

(14) Undertake land use management studies;

(15) Compensate the landowners covered by agrarian reform;

(16) Integrate and synchronize program implementation of the Land Bank of the Philippines and other relevant civilian and military government and private entities involved and mandated to support the agrarian reform program through Inter-Agency Committees and Agrarian Reform Coordinating Councils; and

(17) Perform such other functions as may be provided by law.

(1) Oversee the operational activities of the Department delegated to him by and for which he shall be responsible to the Secretary;

(2) Coordinate programs and projects within the DAR and with other government agencies and farmer organizations when so delegated by the Secretary;

(3) Assist the Secretary on matters relating to the operations of the Department;

(4) Assist the Secretary in the preparation of reports; and

(5) Perform such other duties and functions as may be provided by law or assigned by the Secretary.

(1) Recommend the implementation of appropriate systems and procedures as it relates to the overall monitoring and feedback mechanisms required by the Office of the Secretary;

(2) Gather, consolidate, appraise, prepare and submit regular top management reports pertaining to the Department and overall administration, financial, programs and projects implementation status for decision making purposes;

(3) Design and maintain a program/project display center(s) that will showcase the Department's various plans, programs and accomplishments;

(4) Prepare and review office orders, memoranda and other communications;

(5) Provide secretariat support during meetings and conferences including international conferences and seminars relative to agrarian reform;

(6) Supervise the implementation of department-wide records management and disposal system;

(7) Develop alternative management systems which will increase efficiency in the delivery of services, attain better means of control, maximize use of available human and physical resources;

(8) Conduct periodic systems and procedures audit of the various units of the Department;

(9) Prepare news items on agrarian reform accomplishments and handle press and media relations work for the Secretary; and

(10) Perform such other functions as may be assigned by the Secretary.

(1) Prepare legal decisions and resolutions of administrative cases and render legal opinions, interpretation of contracts, laws, rules and other administrative issuances;

(2) Prepare legal decisions and resolutions of administrative cases; and

(3) Provide public assistance services.

(1) Review, analyze and integrate submitted plans and programs and special project proposals by Bureaus, services, and field offices and determine if plans and programs are in accordance with priorities set for budgetary support;

(2) Review, coordinate and integrate all recommendations for reprogramming and revision of work programs of the Department to support fund releases or requests;

(3) Initiate, integrate, or prioritize research studies and recommend for funding in coordination with units concerned and review and interpret research findings for policy applicability;

(4) Conduct researches or case studies for policy recommendations and application;

(5) Coordinate, integrate and assist in the assessment of programs and projects against plans, costs and resources, standards and performance targets;

(6) Coordinate, integrate and analyze periodic accomplishment reports of the Department as may be required or necessary;

(7) Maintain liaison with public and private development and planning bodies, public and private; and

(8) Perform such other functions as may be provided by law or assigned by the Secretary.

(1) Prepare, execute and administer the Department's budget including standards and guidelines;

(2) Monitor and evaluate the implementation of the Central and Regional budget;

(3) Process all money claims related to all types of Department expenditures including personal services, maintenance and other operating expenses and capital outlays;

(4) Prepare financial reports and maintain books of accounts;

(5) Prepare, release and control check disbursements and index or monitor check payments;

(6) Implement proper internal control mechanisms;

(7) Formulate and implement policies and systems on the disposition of supplies, materials and equipment requirements of all operating units for their effective functioning;

(8) Undertake repair and maintenance of all equipment furniture, building facilities and grounds of the Department; and

(9) Manage and maintain an inventory of physical assets in the Department's Central and Regional offices.

(1) Formulate and implement policies and guidelines on personnel placement, appraisal and action;

(2) Formulate and implement policies and guidelines on employee services, employee relations management and staff development;

(3) Service the reproduction, utility and messengerial requirements of all Departmental groups and offices;

(4) Provide the major operating units of the Department with basic equipment, supplies and materials including logical support;

(5) Engage in general canvassing and purchasing of supplies, materials and equipment;

(6) Implement guidelines with respect to procurement services; and

(7) Perform such other functions as the Secretary may assign.

(1) Formulate guidelines, plans and programs for the effective delivery of legal assistance to the clientele;

(2) Adopt the process of mediation and conciliation to judiciously settle agrarian problems;

(3) Investigate cases, review recommendations, and prepare orders, decisions and resolutions on matters involving agrarian dispute;

(4) Maintain a docket of cases on claims and conflicts and issue clearance in relation thereto;

(5) Provide legal information and prepare materials for publication;

(6) Conduct and compile legal research and studies on agrarian reform and maintain a law library;

(7) Prepare legal opinions on matters pertaining to agrarian reform program implementation;

(8) Represent agrarian reform beneficiaries or members of their immediate farm households before all courts and quasi-judicial and administrative bodies in civil, criminal or administrative cases instituted by or against them, arising from or are connected with, an agrarian dispute;

(9) Develop, maintain and coordinate para-legal services for agrarian reform clientele;

(10) Advise and assist the Office of the Secretary and field offices in agrarian legal matters;

(11) Conduct a continuing follow-up and evaluation of the handling and disposition of judicial cases, claims and conflicts adjudication, legal information and para-legal services of the Department; and

(12) Perform such other functions and duties as may be provided by law.

(1) Draw up plans and programs of land surveys and determine which land survey projects can be done by administration or by contract;

(2) Develop and prescribe procedures and techniques on land surveys in accordance with approved standards;

(3) Develop plans and programs, guidelines, procedures and techniques for soil surveys and classification and for complete aerial photogrammetry;

(4) Analyze and compile soil data and survey reports essential for the production of soil maps and identify particular areas for soil research;

(5) Develop land use patterns, procedures and compile adequate maps for proper land use;

(6) Draw up plans, programs and designs for agricultural development under the scheme of land consolidation;

(7) Formulate policies, guidelines and procedures for the regulation of conversion of private agricultural lands to non-agricultural use, in accordance with the provisions of existing laws, as amended, and other related issuances;

(8) Establish a schedule of priorities in the construction of houses, waterworks, irrigations systems and other community facilities;

(9) Formulate policies and guidelines in the procurement, maintenance or rehabilitation of agricultural machinery and equipment, and review, and evaluate plans, programs, specifications, and cost estimates of land development projects;

(10) Provide functional and technical assistance on the implementation of land development;

(11) Monitor and evaluate activities of field offices on land development; and

(12) Perform such other functions as may be provided by law.

(1) Develop policies, plans and programs, and standard operating procedures in the acquisition and distribution of public and private agricultural lands, including measures to ensure that the lands distributed by the government to the beneficiaries of the agrarian reform program shall be subsequently transferred or sold only to qualified tenant-tillers, agricultural workers and other landless citizens;

(2) Design socio-economic survey plans and prescribe standards, guidelines and procedures in the conduct of such surveys in areas sought to be acquired or administered by the Department of Agrarian Reform;

(3) Develop standards for the valuation of lands placed under the agrarian reform program and formulate appropriate land compensation schemes for affected landowners;

(4) Formulate, general policies and guidelines in the identification of tillers and agricultural lands to be purchased or expropriated, subject of petitions or applications for the exercise of the right of pre-emption or redemption, or voluntarily offered for coverage under the agrarian reform program, and portions of the public domain which may be opened for settlement;

(5) Maintain a current inventory of tillers, landowners, land-holdings, including crops and production thereon, and other related records;

(6) Streamline procedures governing the titling of lands transferred to the beneficiaries of agrarian reform and the documentation of leasehold and other tenurial arrangements;

(7) Develop alternative tenurial or working arrangements or relationships in agrarian reform areas aimed at ensuring security of tenure and equitable distribution of income;

(8) Formulate policies, guidelines, standards, procedures and programs in the development and conduct of land tenure research;

(9) Identify areas of research relevant to land tenure, determine priority needs, and prepare land tenure research designs/proposals;

(10) Undertake operational research and evaluation studies on land tenure programs and projects;

(11) Monitor research findings on land tenure and other related studies by various research agencies;

(12) Review and evaluate documents for the generation, registration, and issuance of Emancipation Patents/Title, land valuation, and landowners compensation claims as to its completeness, accuracy and validity;

(13) Initiate verification and/or investigation of questionable or inconsistent documents as well as data or information critical for expeditious disposition of land transactions by authorities concerned; and

(14) Perform such other functions as may be provided by law.

(1) Provide policy guidance and develop plans and programs for effective and continuing information, education and promotional activities of the Department;

(2) Develop, conduct, assist and coordinate training and education programs to increase farmer, DAR and other governmental personnel participation in program implementation;

(3) Coordinate or implement linkage training or education programs and projects;

(4) Integrate agrarian reform concepts into all levels of the national education system;

(5) Develop appropriate communication materials or aids to support agrarian reform promotion and training;

(6) Produce and disseminate media materials to implement the information programs of the Department;

(7) Maintain and update a library of materials on agrarian reform;

(8) Provide for the establishment of a center for agrarian reform studies;

(9) Provide functional and technical assistance on farmer education and public information;

(10) Coordinate and evaluate training programs and activities undertaken by the regional offices and other units of the Department; and

(11) Perform such other functions as may be provided by law.

(1) Formulate plans, programs, policies and guidelines for the development of agrarian reform areas into viable agro-industrial estates, the promotion of cooperative systems of production, processing, marketing, distribution, credit and services;

(2) Formulate policies, programs and guidelines for the development and management of resettlement areas and landed estates;

(3) Promote the organization and participation of agrarian reform beneficiaries to enhance the dignity and welfare of the beneficiaries and to serve as sources of development information inputs and feedback as basis for policy formulation;

(4) Serve as liaison between the DAR and the legitimate organizations of agrarian reform beneficiaries and serve as receiving zone for request and proposals from legitimately organized agrarian reform beneficiaries associations for appropriate action by any of the Bureaus or Services;

(5) Develop and undertake research and pilot studies of alternative land tenure systems such as agro-industrial estates, cooperative farming and other cooperative-cultivatorship schemes;

(6) Develop project models such as but not limited to compact farms, and other income generating projects, and undertake research and pilot studies on these models and other innovative schemes in coordination with field offices;

(7) Establish linkages with concerned agencies for farm support services and to ensure immediate and effective project implementation;

(8) Provide functional and technical assistance on development and management of resettlement areas and landed estates, organization of agrarian reform beneficiaries and implementation of economic projects;

(10) Perform such other functions as may be provided by law.

(1) Implement laws, policies, plans, rules and regulations of the Department in the regional area;

(2) Develop and implement a regional personnel management program;

(3) Prepare, submit, execute and control the budget for the region;

(4) Prepare and properly maintain books of accounts;

(5) Pay salaries and wages and other approved vouchers;

(6) Provide administrative services to the regional and provincial offices;

(7) Prepare and submit plans and programs for the region on:

(8) Provide technical assistance to the provincial offices and agrarian reform teams in the implementation of approved plans and programs;

(9) Extend effective legal assistance, advice or service to agrarian reform beneficiaries;

(10) Conduct operations research and evaluation of agrarian reform program implementation within the region;

(11) Coordinate with other government and private agencies and farmer organizations at the Regional level through the Agrarian Reform Coordinating Council, to carry out programs/projects for the general welfare of the agrarian reform beneficiaries;

(12) Coordinate para-legal services;

(13) Maintain a data-based information system in coordination with the established monitoring system;

(14) Review documents submitted by the Provincial and Team Offices or by the clientele;

(15) Submit periodic feedback and recommend policy changes and/or modification of procedures on program implementation; and

(16) Perform such other functions as may be necessary in the service of the clientele.

(1) Set priorities, specific targets, schedules and deadlines for the execution of approved plans, programs and projects on:

(2) Provide administrative services to the Agrarian Reform Teams within the province;

(3) Provide legal services to agrarian reform beneficiaries in cases arising from or are connected with agrarian disputes, handling of expropriation proceedings, registering cooperatives organized by Agrarian Reform Teams and reviewing and acting on all matters initially investigated and elevated by Agrarian Reform Teams;

(4) Provide technical assistance to the Agrarian Reform Teams in the implementation of approved plans and programs;

(5) Coordinate with government, private agencies and farmer organizations at the provincial level to carry out programs;

(6) Conduct periodic performance audit surveys in collaboration with the regional office, and monitor agrarian reform program accomplishments of Agrarian Reform Teams including operational problems and constraints and recommend appropriate remedial measures for effective program implementation; and

(7) Perform such other functions as may be necessary in the service of the clientele.

(1) Implement policies and programs on land acquisition, and distribution, and transfer of landownership to actual tillers, including farmer-landowner's identification, leasehold arrangements, land valuation and landowners compensation and transfer actions;

(2) Undertake continuing information and education programs on agrarian reform among the beneficiaries;

(3) Promote the organization and development of agrarian reform beneficiaries and assist in the registration of organized cooperatives;

(4) Institutionalize farmers participation in agrarian reform policy formulation and program implementation;

(5) Organize and establish compact farms, land consolidation, integrated farm systems, sloping agricultural land technology and other cooperative-cultivatorship schemes;

(6) Provide assistance in agrarian reform research;

(7) Provide assistance to various legal services, including legal information and legal counselling, documentation and preliminary processing of applications for free patent and applications to purchase lots, preliminary investigation of conflicting claims on lot boundaries and appraisal of properties, and mediation of different problems arising from tenancy relationship, execution and registration of lease contracts, initial investigation of administrative cases, and other legal services;

(8) Provide assistance on project identification, formulation and development that would uplift the socio-economic status of the beneficiaries including projects that would divert landlord capital to industrial development;

(9) Coordinate with other government and private agencies and farmer organizations within the area of coverage for effective program/project implementation;

(10) Submit periodic reports on program/project accomplishments including problems identified and recommended solutions thereto;

(11) Implement DAR commitment programs supportive of national priority programs; and

(12) Perform such other functions as may be assigned from time to time.

(1) Land Bank of the Philippines

(2) Agricultural Credit Administration

(3) Agrarian Reform Coordinating Council

(1) Advise the President on the promulgation of policies, rules, regulations and other issuances relative to the general supervision of local government units;

(2) Establish and prescribe rules, regulations and other issuances and implementing laws on the general supervision of local government units and on the promotion of local autonomy and monitor compliance thereof by said units;

(3) Provide assistance in the preparation of national legislation affecting local government units;

(4) Establish and prescribe plans, policies, programs and projects to strengthen the administrative, technical and fiscal capabilities of local government offices and personnel;

(5) Formulate and implement policies, plans, programs and projects to meet national and local emergencies arising from natural and man-made disasters; and

(6) Perform such other functions as may be provided by law.

(1) Bureau of Local Government Supervision;

(2) Bureau of Local Government Development;

(3) National Barangay Operations Office;

(4) Project Development Services;

(5) Department Services;

(6) Office of Public Affairs; and

(7) Regional and Field Offices.

(1) Advise and assist the Secretary in the exercise of the power of general supervision of the President over local government units, particularly in the formulation and implementation of national laws, policies, and standards concerning local government operations and their personnel;

(2) Establish and prescribe guidelines for the administration of the Katarungang Pambarangay Laws;

(3) Monitor compliance with national laws and policies by local government units;

(4) Provide assistance in the preparation of national legislation affecting local government units and in the promotion of local autonomy;

(5) Extend consultation service and advice to local government units involved in promoting local autonomy; and

(6) Provide assistance to local governments in the promotion of citizens participation in local government activities;

(7) Provide technical and financial assistance, as well as secretariat services to the Leagues of Provinces, Cities and Municipalities; and

(8) Perform such other functions as may be provided by law.

(1) Establish and prescribe plans, policies, programs, and projects to strengthen the administrative and technical capabilities of local government offices and personnel;

(2) Provide technical assistance to enhance the administrative, fiscal and technical capabilities of local government officers and personnel;

(3) Formulate, prescribe and periodically evaluate local development policies, plans, programs and projects designed to enhance the participation of local government units in planning and implementation;

(4) Establish a system of incentives and grants to local governments and prescribe policies, procedures and guidelines in the implementation of self-help assistance projects;

(5) Formulate and develop models, standards and technical materials on local government development;

(6) Extend consultation service and advice to local government units involved in development programs;

(6) Extend consultation service and advice to local government units involved in development programs;

(7) Establish a viable system of strategies and approaches for local governments anchored on citizen participation within a wholistic and integrated framework for the development of communities; and

(8) Perform such other functions as may be provided by law.

(1) Provide technical assistance in the modernization and maintenance of a Department-wide micro-telecommunica- tions systems;

(2) Provide mechanisms for the operationalization of the intent of the provisions of public information, coverages and documentation of the activities of the Department;

(3) Perform functional supervision over regional information centers in providing the citizenry with relevant information on the program of the Department and the Government's thrust towards the participation of the citizens in the democratic processes;

(4) Formulate plans and programs to implement the administrative and technical capabilities of public officers and personnel both on the central and regional levels;

(5) Establish and prescribe guidelines in the administration of Information and Public Assistance Services;

(6) Extend consultation services and advice in the implemen- tation of Regional Information Services;

(7) Assess information needs of the people through opinion polls and surveys;

(8) Provide assistance on various public programs of the Department;

(9) Establish and implement policies, plans, programs and projects to meet local emergencies arising from natural and man-made disasters; and

(10) Perform such other duties and responsibilities and projects assigned or delegated by the Secretary in the effective delivery of public services or as may be required by law.

(1) Formulate policies, plans and programs that will promote community and citizen participation in the political development of the barangay through the mobilization and participation of barangay assemblies;

(2) Initiate projects on innovative barangay development strategies and approaches in close coordination with the Bureau of Local Government Development;

(3) Provide secretariat services to the Association of Barangay Councils and serve as a clearing house on matters affecting barangay officials' insurance, hospitalization, educational and other benefits as provided by law;

(4) Provide continuing information dissemination to barangay units on national development efforts and issues in order for barangay assembly members to participate meaningfully in national development;

(5) Establish and maintain masterlists of barangays, barangay officials and barangay socio-economic profiles;

(6) Provide situational and political analysis for the Secretary on barangay affairs; and

(7) Perform other functions as may be delegated by the Secretary or as provided for by law.

(1) Formulate innovative approaches and strategies designed to promote technical capabilities of local governments;

(2) Assist in the development of program components for the implementation of tested and appropriate system and processes at the local level; and

(3) Perform other functions as may be delegated by the Secretary or as provided by law.

(1) Implement laws, rules, and regulations, other issuances, policies, plans, programs and projects of the Department;

(2) Provide efficient and effective service to local government;

(3) Coordinate with regional offices of other departments, offices and agencies affecting local administration and development;

(4) Assist local government units in developing their capabilities for local government administration and development; and

(5) Perform such other functions as may be delegated by the Secretary or as provided by law.

(1) Formulate policies, plans, programs and projects for the development of the tourism industry;

(2) Administer, coordinate and supervise all activities of the Government concerning tourism;

(3) Advise the President on the promulgation of laws relative to the policy, plans, programs and projects designed to promote and develop the tourism industry;

(4) Effect the removal of unnecessary barriers to travel, the integration and simplification of travel regulations as well as their efficient, fair and courteous enforcement to assure expeditious and hospitable reception of all tourists and travelers;

(5) Represent the government in all such conferences and meetings concerning tourism and travel and discharge such responsibilities of the government as may arise from treaties, agreements and other commitments on tourism and travel to which it is signatory;

(6) Formulate standards for tourism-oriented establishments that will prescribe minimum levels of operating quality and efficiency in order to ensure that facilities, personnel and services are maintained in accordance with acceptable local and international norms in the operations of tourism-oriented establishments;

(7) Approve the construction standards of accredited tourism-oriented establishments including hotels, resorts, inns, motels and other related facilities and services and prescribe information reporting on the purchase, sale or lease of the said establishments and facilities;

(8) Provide the protection, maintenance and preservation of historical, cultural and natural assets which are tourist attractions with the appropriate government agencies or with the private sector or with the owners of said assets or attractions;

(9) Undertake research studies and surveys for the continuing analysis of economic conditions and trends relating to tourism and maintain a statistical data bank on the tourism industry;

(10) Design programs to encourage private-sector investment and participation in tourism activities and projects;

(11) Set up and organize foreign field offices for the purpose of overseeing all marketing and promotional activities and implementing programs of the Department;

(12) Arrange, whenever deemed appropriate, for the reclamation of any land adjacent to or adjoining a tourist zone in coordination with appropriate government agencies;

(13) Delegate any specific powers and functions in favor of the regional offices to promote efficiency and effectiveness in the delivery of public service;

(14) Enlist the aid, assistance and support of any and all government agencies, civil or military, in the implementation of the provisions of laws pertaining to the Department or of its rules and regulations;

(15) Exercise such powers and functions as may be necessary, proper, or incidental to the attainment of its mandate;

(16) Perform such other functions as may be provided by law.

(1) Organize and coordinate programs of public relations, promotions, and publicity; encourage domestic tourism and encourage overseas visitors to travel throughout the Philippines;

(2) Design and provide support for dissemination of materials for publicity as tourist attractions in the Philippines; promote educational and cultural tours to increase travel within the country;

(4) Plan promotional campaigns through advertising and publicity and coordinate promotional efforts with the private sector through sales campaigns and information dissemination; and

(5) Organize special events for the promotion of local destinations.

(1) Generate favorable publicity on the Philippines;

(2) Disseminate current information on the country and its tourist products;

(3) Provide support for the private sector in the promotional campaign;

(4) Organize special events to promote the country as a tourist destination;

(5) Gather market intelligence and research information on tourist markets through the Foreign Field Offices;

(6) Monitor trends and developments in international tourism through the Foreign Field Offices;

(7) Organize, set up and participate in international meetings, conferences and conventions on tourism; and

(8) Supervise foreign field offices charged with coordinating and assisting in the marketing and promotional activities and programs of the Department.

(1) Promote a continuing wholesome and informative relationship between the Department and the travelling public;

(2) Cause the widest publicity of existing and forthcoming activities and programs of the Department through a functional relationship with the media; and

(3) Organize and disseminate promotional and tourist information materials to various tourist assistance centers.

(1) Approve the construction standards of tourism-oriented establishments including hotels, resorts, inns, motels, and other related facilities and services, prescribe information reporting on purchase, sale or lease of accredited tourism-oriented facilities and ensure a harmonious, positive and constructive development of the tourism, industry;

(2) Formulate operating standards for tourism-oriented establishments including hotels and resorts, restaurants, inns, motels, and other related facilities and services, that will prescribe minimum levels of operating quality and efficiency in order to ensure that facilities, personnel and services are maintained in accordance with acceptable local and international norms in the operations of tourism-oriented establishments;

(3) Regulate and issue licenses to qualified travel agencies in accordance with the rules and regulations promulgated by the Secretary;

(4) Encourage formation of industry associations for accreditations by the Department;

(5) Assist in auditioning Filipino entertainers in order to project properly and enhance the Filipino image in the entertainment field and thereby gain better international respect and reputation; and

(6) Coordinate with all agencies concerned on the enforcement of rules and regulations promulgated by the Department.

(1) Formulate plans and policies for the development of the tourism industry, including but not limited to national tourism plans and the identification of master physical plans for tourism zones within the country;

(2) Monitor and evaluate plans, programs and projects of the Department to ensure their effective implementation;

(3) Undertake research studies and surveys for the continuing analysis of the tourism industry;

(4) Compile and integrate statistical data on the tourism industry and publish the same;

(5) Coordinate and assist in the implementation of tourism-oriented projects, plans or operations of local governments, governmental agencies, public corporations, and where clearly necessary and feasible, those of private entities so as to make possible the accelerated and balanced growth and development of tourism in the Philippines which is responsible to the needs of targetted travel markets, domestic and foreign, and beneficial to a greater number of Filipino communities;

(6) Analyze specific geographical areas with potential tourism value leading to the preparation of a national tourism development plan which will establish the order of priority for the development plan of tourist zone;

(7) Formulate a government plan for each zone in coordination with other government agencies and local government units exercising political jurisdiction over the area, provided, that the plan of the zone to be developed shall cover specifically those aspects pertaining to tourisms; provided further, that the tourism development plan is fully coordinated and integrated with other sectoral plans for the area; and

(8) Coordinate with appropriate local government units and other government agencies to assist in formulating and implementing zone regulations, including building codes, hotel standards and such other restrictions as may be necessary within a tourist zone to control its orderly development; preserve such historical, cultural or natural assets or relics giving the zone its tourism value and significance; and assure adherence to approved zone development plans;

(9) Ensure through proper coordination with appropriate government agencies and local private agencies the social growth of the community within a tourist zone; carefully control possible negative social impact brought about by tourism development.

(1) Develop and conceptualize new products which can lead to the enhancement of tourist sites and facilities;

(2) Undertake pilot tests for testing the viability and acceptability of new tourism-related products and programs; and

(3) Encourage and promote joint undertakings with the private sector of new tourism-related products and programs.

(1) Initiate and coordinate with all sectors, both government and private, the development of the national tourism plans and policies;

(2) Coordinate priority activities and projects of the Department, and other government agencies, and the private sector;

(3) Enlist the assistance and support of any or all of the government agencies in the implementation of the policies of the Department; and

(4) Provide support to all tourism-related activities of the private sector needing government assistance.

(1) Implement laws, policies, plans, programs, rules and regulations of the Department;

(2) Provide economical, efficient and effective service to the people;

(3) Coordinate with regional offices of other departments, bureaus, and agencies;

(4) Coordinate with local government units; and

(5) Perform such other functions as may be provided by law.

(1) The State shall ensure, for the benefit of the Filipino people, the full exploration and development as well as the judicious disposition, utilization, management, renewal and conservation of the country's forest, mineral, land, waters, fisheries, wildlife, off-shore areas and other natural resources, consistent with the necessity of maintaining a sound ecological balance and protecting and enhancing the quality of the environment and the objective of making the exploration, development and utilization of such natural resources equitably accessible to the different segments of the present as well as future generations.

(2) The State shall likewise recognize and apply a true value system that takes into account social and environmental cost implications relative to the utilization, development and conservation of our natural resources.

(1) The Department of Environment and Natural Resources shall be primarily responsible for the implementation of the foregoing policy.

(2) It shall, subject to law and higher authority, be in charge of carrying out the State's constitutional mandate to control and supervise the exploration, development, utilization, and conservation of the country's natural resources.

(1) Assure the availability and sustainability of the country's natural resources through judicious use and systematic restoration or replacement, whenever possible;

(2) Increase the productivity of natural resources in order to meet the demands for the products from forest, mineral, land and water resources of a growing population;

(3) Enhance the contribution of natural resources for achieving national economic and social development;

(4) Promote equitable access to natural resources by the different sectors of the population; and

(5) Conserve specific terrestrial and marine areas representative of the Philippine natural and cultural heritage for present and future generations.

(1) Advise the President and the Congress on the enactment of laws relative to the exploration, development, use, regulation and conservation of the country's natural resources and the control of pollution;

(2) Formulate, implement and supervise the implementation of the government's policies, plans and programs pertaining to the management, conservation, development, use and replenishment of the country's natural resources;

(3) Promulgate rules and regulations in accordance with law governing the exploration, development, conservation, extraction, disposition, use and such other commercial activities tending to cause the depletion and degradation of our natural resources;

(4) Exercise supervision and control over forest lands, alienable and disposable public lands, mineral resources and, in the process of exercising such control, impose appropriate taxes, fees, charges, rentals and any such form of levy and collect such revenues for the exploration, development, utilization or gathering of such resources;

(5) Undertake the exploration, assessment, classification and inventory of the country's natural resources, using ground surveys, remote sensing and complementary technologies;

(6) Promote proper and mutual consultation with the private sector on matters involving natural resources exploration, development, use and conservation;

(7) Undertake geological surveys of the whole country including its territorial waters;

(8) Issue licenses and permits for activities related to the use and development of aquatic resources, treasure hunting, salvaging of sunken vessels and other similar activities:

(9) Establish policies and implement programs for the:

(10) Promulgate rules and regulations necessary to:

(11) Assess, review and provide direction to, in coordination with concerned government agencies, energy research and development programs, including identification of sources of energy and determination of their commercial feasibility for development;

(12) Regulate the development, disposition, extraction, exploration and use of the country's forest, land, water and mineral resources;

(13) Assume responsibility for the assessment, development, protection, licensing and regulation as provided for by law, where applicable, of all energy and natural resources; the regulation and monitoring of service contractors, licensees, lessees, and permit for the extraction, exploration, development and use of natural resources products; the implementation of programs and measures with the end in view of promoting close collaboration between the government and the private sector; the effective and efficient classification and subclassification of lands of the public domain; and the enforcement of natural resources and environmental laws, rules and regulations;

(14) Promulgate rules, regulations and guidelines on the issuance of licenses, permits, concessions, lease agreements and such other privileges concerning the development, exploration and utilization of the country's marine, freshwater, and brackish water and over all aquatic resources of the country and shall continue to oversee, supervise and police our natural resources; cancel or cause to cancel such privileges upon failure, non-compliance or violations of any regulation, order, and for all other causes which are in furtherance of the conservation of natural resources and supportive of the national interest;

(15) Exercise exclusive jurisdiction on the management and disposition of all lands of the public domain and serve as the sole agency responsible for classification, sub-classification, surveying and titling of lands in consultation with appropriate agencies;

(16) Implement measures for the regulation and supervision of the processing of forest products, grading and inspection of lumber and other forest products and monitoring of the movement of timber and other forest products;

(17) Promulgate rules and regulations for the control of water, air and land pollution;

(18) Promulgate ambient and effluent standards for water and air quality including the allowable levels of other pollutants and radiations;

(19) Promulgate policies, rules and regulations for the conservation of the country's genetic resources and biological diversity, and endangered habitats;

(20) Formulate an integrated, multi-sectoral, and multi-disciplinary National Conservation Strategy, which will be presented to the Cabinet for the President's approval;

(21) Perform such other functions as may be provided by law.

(1) Advise the President on the promulgation of rules, regulations and other issuances relative to the conservation, management, development and proper use of the country's natural resources;

(2) Establish policies and standards for the efficient and effective operations of the Department in accordance with the programs of the government;

(3) Promulgate rules, regulations and other issuances necessary in carrying out the Department's mandate, objectives, policies, plans, programs and projects.

(4) Exercise supervision and control over all functions and activities of the Department;

(5) Delegate authority for the performance of any administrative or substantive function to subordinate officials of the Department; and

(6) Perform such other functions as may be provided by law or assigned by the President.

(1) Advise the Secretary in the promulgation of Department orders, administrative orders and other issuances, with respect to his area of responsibility;

(2) Exercise supervision and control over the offices, services, operating units and officers and employees under his responsibility;

(3) Promulgate rules and regulations, consistent with Department policies, that will efficiently and effectively govern the activities of units under his responsibility;

(4) Coordinate the functions and activities of the units under his responsibility with those of other units under the responsibility of other Undersecretaries;

(5) Exercise such authority on substantive and administrative matters related to the functions and activities of units under his responsibility to the extent granted by the Secretary through administrative issuances; and

(6) Perform such other functions as may be provided by law or assigned by the Secretary.

(1) Recommend policies and/or programs for the effective protection, development, occupancy, management and conservation of forest lands and watersheds, including the grazing and mangrove areas; reforestation and rehabilitation of critically denuded or degraded forest reservations, improvement of water resource use and development, development of national parks, preservation of wilderness areas, game refuges and wildlife sanctuaries, ancestral lands, wilderness areas and other natural preserves, development of forest plantations, including rattan, bamboo, and other valuable non-timber forest resources; and rationalization of the wood-based industries, regulation of the utilization and exploitation of forest resources, including wildlife, to ensure continuous supply of forest and goods and services;

(2) Advise the regional offices in the implementation of the above policies and/or programs;

(3) Develop plans, programs, operating standards and administrative measures to promote the Bureau's objectives and functions;

(4) Assist in the monitoring and evaluation of forestry and watershed development projects to ensure efficiency and effectiveness;

(5) Undertake studies on the economics of forestry and forest-based industries, including supply and demand trends on the local, national and international levels, identifying investment problems and opportunities in various areas; and

(6) Perform such other functions as may be provided by law or assigned by the Secretary.

(1) Recommend policies and programs for the efficient and effective administration, surveys, management and disposition of alienable and disposable lands of the public domain and other lands outside the responsibilities of other government agencies, such as reclaimed areas and other areas not needed for or are not being utilized for the purposes for which they have been established;

(2) Advise the Regional Offices on the efficient and effective implementation of policies, programs and projects for more effective public lands management;

(3) Assist in the monitoring and evaluation of land surveys, management and disposition of lands to ensure efficiency and effectiveness thereof;

(4) Issue standards, guidelines, regulations and orders to enforce policies for the maximization of land use and development;

(5) Develop operating standards and procedures to promote the Bureau's objectives and functions; and

(6) Perform such other functions as may be provided by law or assigned by the Secretary.

(1) Recommend policies, regulations or programs pertaining to mineral resources development and geology;

(2) Advise the Secretary on the granting of mining rights and contracts over areas containing metallic and non-metallic mineral resources;

(3) Advise the Regional Offices on the effective implementation of mineral development and conservation programs as well as geological surveys;

(4) Recommend policies, regulations and oversee the development and exploitation of mineral resources of the sea within the country's jurisdiction such as silica sand, gold placer, magnetic and chromite sand, etc;

(5) Assist in the monitoring and evaluation of the Bureau's programs and projects to ensure efficiency and effectiveness thereof;

(6) Develop and promulgate standards and operating procedures on mineral resources development and geology;

(7) Supervise and control the development and packaging of nationally applicable technologies on geological survey, mineral resource assessment, mining and metallurgy; the provision of geological, metallurgical, chemical and rock mechanics laboratory services; the conduct of marine geological and geophysical survey and natural exploration drilling programs; and

(8) Perform such other functions as may be provided by law or assigned by the Secretary.

(1) Recommend possible legislation, policies and programs for environmental management and pollution control;

(2) Advise the Regional Offices in the efficient and effective implementation of policies, programs, and projects for the effective and efficient environmental management and pollution control;

(3) Formulate environmental quality standards such as the quality standards for water, air, land, noise and radiations;

(4) Recommend rules and regulation for environmental impact assessments and provide technical assistance for their implementation and monitoring;

(5) Formulate rules and regulations for the proper disposition of solid wastes, toxic and hazardous substances;

(6) Advise the Secretary on the legal aspects of environmental management and pollution control and assist in the conduct of public hearings in pollution cases;

(7) Provide secretariat assistance to the Pollution Adjudication Board;

(8) Coordinate the inter-agency committees that may be created for the preparation of the State of the Philippine Environment Report and the National Conservation Strategy;

(9) Provide assistance to the Regional Office in the formulation and dissemination of information on environmental and pollution matters to the general public;

(10) Assist the Secretary and the Regional Officers by providing technical assistance in the implementation of environmental and pollution laws; and

(11) Provide scientific assistance to the Regional Offices in the conduct of environmental research programs.

(1) Formulate and recommend an integrated research program relating to Philippine ecosystems and natural resources such as minerals, lands, forests, as holistic and interdisciplinary fields of inquiry;

(2) Assist the Secretary in determining a system of priorities for the allocation of resources to various technological research programs of the department;

(3) Provide technical assistance in the implementation and monitoring of the aforementioned research programs;

(4) Generate technologies and provide scientific assistance in the research and development of technologies relevant to the sustainable uses of Philippine ecosystems and natural resources; and

(5) Assist the Secretary in the evaluation of the effectiveness of the implementation of the integrated research programs.

(1) Formulate and recommend policies, guidelines, rules and regulations for the establishment and management of an Integrated Protected Areas Systems such as national parks, wildlife sanctuaries and refuge, marine parks, and biospheric reserves;

(2) Formulate and recommend policies, guidelines, rules and regulations for the preservation of biological diversity, genetic resources, the endangered Philippine flora and fauna;

(3) Prepare an up-to-date listing of endangered Philippine flora and fauna and recommend a program of conservation and propagation of the same;

(4) Assist the Secretary in the monitoring and assessment of the management of the Integrated Protected Areas System and provide technical assistance to the Regional Offices in the implementation of programs for these areas; and

(5) Perform such other functions as may be provided by law or assigned by the Secretary.

(1) Implement laws, policies, plans, programs, projects, and rules and regulations of the Department to promote the sustainability and productivity of natural resources, social equity in natural resource utilization and environmental protection;

(2) Provide efficient and effective delivery of services to the people;

(3) Coordinate with regional offices of other departments, offices, agencies in the region and local government units in the enforcement of natural resource conservation laws and regulations, and in the formulation/implementation of natural resource programs and projects;

(4) Recommend and, upon approval, implement programs and projects on forestry, minerals, and land management and disposition;

(5) Conduct a comprehensive inventory of natural resources in the region and formulate regional short and long-term development plans for the conservation, utilization and replacement of natural resources;

(6) Evolve respective regional budget in conformity with the priorities established by the Regional Development Councils;

(7) Supervise the processing of natural resources products, grade and inspect minerals, lumber and other wood processed products, and monitor the movement of these products;

(8) Conduct field researches for appropriate technologies recommended for various projects; and

(9) Perform such other functions as may be provided by law or assigned by the Secretary.

(1) Formulate and recommend national policies and guidelines for the preparation and implementation of integrated and comprehensive transportation and communications systems at the national, regional and local levels;

(2) Establish and administer comprehensive and integrated programs for transportation and communications, and for this purpose, it may call on any agency, corporation or organization, whether public or private, whose development programs include transportation and communications as integral parts thereof, to participate and assist in the preparation and implementation of such programs;

(3) Assess, review and provide direction to transportation and communications research and development programs of the government in coordination with other institutions concerned;

(4) Administer and enforce all laws, rules and regulations in the field of transportation and communications;

(5) Coordinate with the Department of Public Works and Highways in the design, location, development, rehabilitation, improvement, construction, maintenance and repair of all infrastructure projects and facilities of the Department. However, government corporate entities attached to the Department shall be authorized to undertake specialized telecommunications, ports, airports and railways projects and facilities as directed by the President of the Philippines or as provided by law;

(6) Establish, operate and maintain a nationwide postal system that shall include mail processing, delivery services and money order services and promote the art of philately;

(7) Issue certificates of public convenience for the operation of public land and rail transportation utilities and services;

(8) Accredit foreign aircraft manufacturers or international organizations for aircraft certification in accordance with established procedures and standards;

(9) Establish and prescribe rules and regulations for identification of routes, zones or areas of operation of particular operators of public land services;

(10) Establish and prescribe rules and regulations for the establishment, operation and maintenance of such telecommunications facilities in areas not adequately served by the private sector in order to render such domestic and overseas services that are necessary with due consideration for advances in technology;

(11) Establish and prescribe rules and regulations for the issuance of certificates of public convenience for public land transportation utilities, such as motor vehicles, trimobiles and railways;

(12) Establish and prescribe rules and regulations for the inspection and registration of air and land transportation facilities, such as motor vehicles, trimobiles, railways and aircraft;

(13) Establish and prescribe rules and regulations for the issuance of licenses to qualified motor vehicle drivers, conductors and airmen;

(14) Establish and prescribe the corresponding rules and regulations for enforcement of laws governing land transportation, air transportation and postal services, including the penalties for violations thereof, and for the deputation of appropriate law enforcement agencies in pursuance thereof;

(15) Determine, fix or prescribe charges or rates pertinent to postal services and to the operation of public air and land transportation utility facilities and services, except such rates or charges as may be prescribed by the Civil Aeronautics Board under its charter and, in cases where charges or rates are established by international bodies or associations of which the Philippines is a participating member or by bodies or associations recognized by the Philippine government as the proper arbiter of such charges or rates;

(16) Establish and prescribe the rules, regulations, procedures and standards for the accreditation of driving schools;

(17) Administer and operate the Civil Aviation Training Center (CATC) and the National Telecommunications Training Institute (NTTI); and

(18) Perform such other powers and functions as may be provided by law.

(1) The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administrative and Legal Affairs composed of the Administrative Service and the Legal Service;

(2) The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Finance and Comptrollership composed of the Finance and Management Service and the Comptrollership Service;

(3) The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Project Development composed of the Planning Service and the Project Development Service; and

(4) The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Management Information and Project Management composed of the Management Information Service and the Project Management Service.

(1) The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Land Transportation;

(2) The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Postal Services;

(3) The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Telecommunications; and

(4) The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Air Transportation.

(1) Law Enforcement Service, and

(2) Traffic Adjudication Service.

(1) To hear and decide cases involving violations of laws, rules and regulations governing land transportation and to impose fines and/or penalties therefor; provided that violations resulting in damage to property and/or physical injuries or violations constituting offenses punishable under the Revised Penal Code and other penal laws shall be under the jurisdiction of the regular courts;

(2) To order the impounding of motor vehicles and confiscation of plates or the arrest of violators of laws, rules and regulations governing land transportation;

(3) To issue subpoena and subpoena duces tecum and to summon witnesses to appear in any proceedings thereof, and to administer oaths and affirmations;

(4) To promulgate rules and regulations governing the proceedings before it; provided that except with respect to paragraph c, the rules of procedure and evidence prevailing in the courts of law shall not be controlling and all reasonable means to ascertain the facts in each case shall be used without regard to technicalities of law and procedures but all in the interest of due process; and

(5) To perform such other functions and duties as may be provided by law, or as may be necessary, or proper or incidental to its powers and functions.

(1) Administrative Service;

(2) Legal Service;

(3) Finance and Management Service;

(4) Comptrollership Service;

(5) Planning Service;

(6) Project Development Service;

(7) Management Information Service; and

(8) Project Management Service.

(1) Implement laws, policies, plans, programs, projects, rules and regulations of the Department;

(2) Provide efficient and effective service to the people;

(3) Coordinate with regional offices of other departments, offices and agencies;

(4) Coordinate with local government units; and

(5) Perform such other functions as may be provided by law.

(1) Prescribe and regulate routes, economically viable capacities, and zones or areas of operation of public land transportation services provided by motorized vehicles in accordance with the public land transportation development plans and programs approved by the Department of Transportation and Communications;

(2) Issue, amend, revise, suspend or cancel Certificates of Public Convenience or permits authorizing the operation of public land transportation services provided by motorized vehicles, and prescribe the appropriate terms and conditions therefor;

(3) Determine, prescribe, approve and periodically review and adjust reasonable fares, rates and other related charges, relative to the operation of public land transportation services provided by motorized vehicles;

(4) Issue preliminary or permanent injunctions, whether prohibitory or mandatory, in all cases in which it has jurisdiction and in which cases the pertinent provisions of the Rules of Court shall apply;

(5) Punish for contempt of the Board, both direct and indirect, in accordance with the pertinent provisions of, and the penalties prescribed by, the Rules of Court;

(6) Issue subpoena and subpoena duces tecum and to summon witnesses to appear in any proceedings of the Board, to administer oaths and affirmations, and, in appropriate cases, to order the search and seizure of all vehicles and documents, upon probable cause and as may be necessary for the proper disposition of the cases before it;

(7) Conduct investigations and hearings of complaints for violation of the public service laws on land transportation and of the Board's rules and regulations, orders, decisions or rulings and to impose fines or penalties for such violations;

(8) Review motu propio the decisions/actions of the Regional Franchising and Regulatory Offices;

(9) Promulgate rules and regulations governing proceedings before the Board and the Regional Franchising and Regulatory Office. However, except with respect to paragraphs 4, 5, 6, and 7 hereof, the rules of procedure and evidence prevailing in the courts of law should not be controlling but rather the spirit and intention of said rules. The Board and the Regional Franchising and Regulatory Offices shall use every and all reasonable means to ascertain facts in each case speedily and objectively and without regard to technicalities of law and procedures, all in the interest of due process;

(10) Fix, impose and collect, and periodically review and adjust, reasonable fees and other related charges for services rendered;

(11) Formulate, promulgate, administer, implement and enforce rules and regulations on land transportation public utilities, standards of measurements or design, and rules and regulations requiring operators of any public land transportation service to equip, install and provide in their utilities and in their stations such devices, equipment, facilities and operating procedures and techniques as may promote safety, protection, comfort and convenience to persons and property in their charges as well as the safety of persons and property within their areas of operation;

(12) Coordinate and cooperate with other government agencies and entities concerned with any aspect involving public land transportation services with the end in view of effecting continuing improvement of such services; and

(13) Perform such other functions and duties as may be provided by law, or as may be necessary, or proper or incidental to the purposes and objectives of the Department;

(1) Care for, protect and rehabilitate the physically and mentally handicapped and socially disabled constituents, for effective social functioning;

(2) Provide an integrated welfare package to its constituents on the basis of their needs and coordinate the service facilities required from such departments or agencies, governmental and non-governmental, which can best provide them;

(3) Arrest the further deterioration of the socially disabling or dehumanizing conditions of the disadvantaged segment of the population at the community level; and

(4) Advocate for policies and measures addressing social welfare concerns.

(1) Formulate, develop and implement plans, programs and projects in the field of social welfare and development;

(2) Adopt policies to ensure effective implementation of programs for public and private social welfare services;

(3) Promote, support and coordinate the establishment, expansion and maintenance of non-government social welfare facilities, projects and services;

(4) Establish, operate, maintain and otherwise support institutional facilities, projects and services for its constituents;

(5) Promote, build and strengthen people's organizations for a self-directing welfare system at the grassroots level;

(6) Promote, support and coordinate networks and facilities for the identification and delivery of appropriate interventions to its welfare constituents;

(7) Accredit institutions and organizations engaged in social welfare activities and provide consultative and information services to them;

(8) Undertake researches and studies on matters pertaining to its constituency;

(9) Initiate, promote and maintain bilateral and multi-lateral linkages for technical cooperation, in coordination with the Department of Foreign Affairs;

(10) Provide advisory services and develop and implement training standard and programs for personnel, social workers and students and third-country participants for career and staff development in social welfare activities;

(11) Disseminate information and publish technical bulletins on social welfare and development;

(12) Deputize law enforcement agencies to assist in the implementation of laws, rules and regulations for the protection of the rights of the exploited, abused and disadvantaged;

(13) Regulate fund drives, public solicitations and donations for charitable or welfare purposes;

(14) Set standards, accredit and monitor performance of all social welfare activities in both public and private sectors;

(15) Exercise functional and technical supervision over social workers in other government settings or agencies like courts, hospitals, schools and housing projects;

(16) Deputize local government units and other agencies of government as are necessary in providing disaster relief;

(17) Coordinate all activities pertaining to the implementation of programs and services for the disabled, the aging and other socially disadvantaged; and

(18) Perform such other functions as may be provided by law.

(1) Supervise the Personnel Development Service; Administrative Service and Financial Service;

(2) Supervise the Bureau of Child and Youth Welfare; Bureau of Women's Welfare; Bureau of Family Community Welfare; Bureau of Emergency Assistance; and Bureau of Disable Person's Welfare;

(3) Supervise the Planning and Monitoring Service and the Legal Service, and assist the Undersecretary and the Secretary in matters pertaining to regional or field operations.

(1) The Personnel Development Service shall provide the Department with services relating to manpower, career planning and development, personnel transactions, and employee welfare;

(2) The Financial Service shall provide the Department with services relating to budget, collection, disbursement, and other financial matters;

(3) The Administrative Service shall provide the Department with services relating to records, correspondence, supplies, property and equipment, security and general services;

(4) The Planning and Monitoring Service shall provide technical services to the Department in the areas or overall policy formulation, strategic and operational planning, management systems or procedures, and the evaluation and monitoring of Department programs, projects and internal operations;

(5) The Legal Service shall provide the Department with services on legal matters, especially on proposed legislations;

(6) The Public Affairs and Liaison Service in the Office of the Secretary shall provide public information services and publications as well as coordinate and mobilize volunteers, non-governmental organizations and cause-oriented groups in partnership with the Department.

Each of the Services shall be headed by a Staff Director and may have divisions whenever necessary for the performance of its functions.

(1) Formulate programs, policies, rules, regulations and standards relative to the implementation of their respective functional specialization;

(2) Initiate and administer pilot or special projects for demonstration of the corresponding policies, programs, services, strategies, methods, procedures and guidelines prior to nationwide implementation;

(3) Audit, evaluate, and provide technical assistance and consultative services to operating units and field offices and local government welfare departments on program implementation;

(4) Develop standards and assess agencies for licensing and accreditation;

(5) Review applications for regulatory purposes including tax exemptions for foreign donations;

(6) Provide advisory services to non-governmental agencies implementing programs and services for welfare and development;

(7) Formulate the substantive content of, and assist in the orientation and training on, the bureaus' programs, services, strategies, procedures, methods and guidelines;

(8) Develop indigenous literature and other media materials for clients, volunteers and other audiences;

(9) Promote and develop a system of networking and coordination with relevant welfare councils;

(10) Undertake studies and action researches on matters pertaining to client welfare and development and propose relevant policies and amendments for legislation;

(11) Maintain linkages relative to welfare programs or projects for national, regional and interregional cooperation.

(1) Bureau of Emergency Assistance - relief and rehabilitation of victims of natural calamities and social disorganization and of cultural communities and other distressed and displaced persons;

(2) Bureau of Family and Community Welfare - assistance to socially disadvantaged families and communities including family planning, planning outreach programs to develop their capability in defining needs and formulating solutions as well as setting up viable community structures which bring about desired social changes;

(3) Bureau of the Disabled Person's Welfare - disability prevention and rehabilitation of the physically, mentally and socially disabled persons;

(4) Bureau of Women's Welfare - promoting women's welfare, with specific attention to the prevention or eradication of exploitation of women in any form, such as but not limited to prostitution and illegal recruitment; as well as the promotion of skills for employment and self-actualization;

(5) Bureau of Child and Youth Welfare - care and protection of abandoned, neglected, abused or exploited children and youth, delinquents, offenders, the disturbed, street children, victims of prostitution and others, for their social adjustment and economic self-sufficiency.

(1) Provide within the region efficient and effective services to its constituents; and for such purposes, establish, operate, promote and support, at the minimum, the following welfare facilities:

(2) Ensure the implementation of laws, policies, programs, rules, and regulations regarding social welfare and development within the region;

(3) Secure effective coordination with other departments, agencies, institutions and organizations, especially local government units within the region;

(4) Conduct continuing studies and planning, to improve its services to its constituents.

(1) Other Vocational Rehabilitation and Special Education Centers for the Handicapped;

(2) "Street Children" Centers;

(3) Centers for Youth with Special Needs;

(4) Other Centers for Youth Offenders;

(5) Homes for the Aged;

(6) Homes for Unwed Mothers;

(7) Drug Abuse Centers;

(8) Other Reception and Study Centers; and

(9) Such other facilities as may be necessary to assist the socially disadvantaged.

(1) Formulate and coordinate the implementation of operational, field-level plans/programs of the Department;

(2) Provide specialized services and comprehensive assistance to other department/agency units whenever necessary;

(3) Secure all pertinent feedback and information from field units as well as appropriate department/agency units, particularly local government units, and communicate the same regularly to the Regional Office;

(4) Establish and maintain a vocational rehabilitation and special education program for the handicapped in the form and magnitude appropriate for the needs of the province.

(1) No social work agency shall operate and be accredited as such unless it is registered with the Department which shall issue the corresponding certificate of registration.

(2) Before any social work agency shall be duly registered, the following requirements must have been complied with:

(3) A certificate of registration may be revoked if after due investigation, the Department finds that the social work agency has failed to perform its function or has violated existing laws, rules and regulations.

(1) No person, natural or juridical, shall establish any child welfare agency without first securing a license from the Department. Such license shall not be transferable and shall be used only by the person or institution to which it was issued at the place stated therein. No license shall be granted unless the purpose or function of the agency is clearly defined and stated in writing. Such definition shall include the geographical area to be served, the children to be accepted for care, and the services to be provided.

If the applicant is a juridical person, it must be registered in accordance with Philippine laws.

(2) The work of all registered and licensed child welfare agencies shall be supervised and coordinated by the Department.

(3) The Department may, after notice and hearing, suspend or revoke the license of a child welfare agency on any of the following grounds:

(1) The Systems and Procedures Bureau which shall review and design the management reporting systems, review and evaluate the applicability and economics of computerization, purchasing/inventory systems, formulate measures on internal controls to ensure accuracy, integrity and reliability of records systems, and develop a system of controls for capital operational and cash budgeting;

(2) The Organization and Productivity Improvement Bureau which shall develop performance standards as bases for agency budgeting and performance evaluation, conduct studies on work simplification and methods improvement, review the equipment procurement programs of agencies, and prepare operations manuals and conduct continuing studies on organizational changes of government agencies;

(3) The Compensation and Position Classification Bureau which shall classify positions and determine appropriate salaries for specific position classes and review the compensation benefits programs of agencies and shall design job evaluation programs.

(1) The Legislative Services which shall provide legal advice and service to the Department Officers and employees, review legislative proposals and provide clarificatory opinions on budget laws.

(2) The Administrative Services which shall provide the services relative to personnel, records management, allocation of property and supplies, and shall perform security and custodial functions.

(3) The Procurement Services which shall implement an integrated programs for the procurement of supplies and materials for the Department.

(1) The Financial Services which shall provide services relative to cash management, budgetary and financial matters.

(2) The Data Processing Service which shall provide computer services, prepare and generate management reports, maintain and operate computer-based monitoring systems.

(1) National Government Budget Bureaus A and B which shall evaluate and review the budgetary proposals, work and financial flows of the national government and ensure its compliance with budgetary policies and project priorities of the bureaus assigned to each group.

(2) Local Government Budget Bureau which shall recommend and effect the release of National Assistance for Local Government (NALGU) funds and those for autonomous regions based on approved work and financial plans as limited by the Secretary.

(3) Government Corporation Budget Bureau which shall evaluate and analyze the budgetary proposals, plans and financial flows of government corporations and agencies and ensure its compliance with budgetary policies and project priorities;

(4) Budget Planning Bureau which shall assist the Secretary in the preparation and management of fiscal policies and plans for budget coordination, conduct studies on economic trends and factors affecting government revenues, expenditures and borrowings, and shall collaborate with the Office of the President, Department of Finance, Central Bank, National Economic and Development Authority, and other agencies in the formulation of financial plans.

(5) Foreign Assisted Projects Bureau which shall review and evaluate foreign assisted projects to determine the annual funding requirements of certain projects identified by implementing agencies and supported by foreign funding; assist the Secretary in determining the budgetary implications of foreign assisted projects from the time of project design to negotiations for financial assistance; ensure the concurrence of the Secretary of Budget on all loan agreements; evaluate the work-financial plan of projects chargeable against the Foreign Assistance Projects (FAPS) support fund; and recommend and effect the releases from such fund based on the approved work financial plans as may be directed by the Secretary.

(1) National Government Account and Finance Bureau;

(2) Local Government Accounting and Finance Bureau; and

(3) Government Corporate Accounting and Finance Bureau.

(1) Support and encourage local scientific and technological efforts that address national and local problems and positively contribute to national development;

(2) Promote the development of local capability in science and technology to achieve technological self-reliance in selected areas that are vital to national development;

(3) Support and encourage public and private sector partnership aimed at accelerating self-reliance in the selected areas; and

(4) Encourage and support private sector initiatives in science and technology and provide the necessary incentives and assistance to enable the private sector to take increasing responsibility and a greater role in the country's research and development efforts.

(1) Formulate and adopt a comprehensive National Science and Technology Plan including specific goals, policies, plans, programs and projects based on the recommendation of the Inter-Council Review Board and, upon approval by the President, monitor and coordinate its funding and implementation by all government agencies and instrumentalities;

(2) Promote, assist and where appropriate, undertake scientific and technological research and development in those areas which are determined to be vital to the country's development and offer optimum returns for the resources employed;

(3) Promote the development of indigenous technology and adaptation and innovation of suitable imported technology and in this regard, undertake technology development up to the commercial state, preferably in joint venture with the private sector or with public agencies;

(4) Undertake design and engineering work to complement its research and development functions;

(5) Promote, assist and where appropriate undertake the transfer of the results of scientific and technological research and development, to their end-users;

(6) Promote, assist and where appropriate undertake technological services needed by agriculture, industry, transport and the general public;

(7) Develop and maintain an information system and data-bank on science and technology for use by both the public and private sectors;

(8) Develop and implement, together with other entities concerned, programs for strengthening scientific and technological capabilities in the relevant discipline through manpower training, and through infrastructure and institution building and rationalization, in both the public and private sectors;

(9) Promote public consciousness of science and technology;

(10) Undertake policy research, technology assessment studies, feasibility studies and technical studies; and

(11) Perform such other functions as may be provided by law.

(1) Planning and Evaluation Service, which shall be responsible for providing the Department with efficient and effective services relating to planning, programs and project monitoring and development;

(2) Financial and Management Service, which shall be responsible for providing the Department with efficient and effective staff advice and assistance on budgetary, financial, and management improvement matters;

(3) Administrative and Legal Service, which shall be responsible for providing the Department with efficient and effective services relating to personnel, information, records, supplies, equipment collections, disbursement, security and custodial work, and all legal matters.

(1) Philippine Council for Industry and Energy Research and Development, for industry and energy and mineral resources;

(2) Philippine Council for Health Research and Development for health;

(3) Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development, for agriculture and forestry resources;

(4) Philippine Council for Aquatic and Marine Research and Development, for aquatic and marine resources; and

(5) Philippine Council for Advanced Science and Technology Research and Development, for advanced science and technology.

(1) Undertake applied research and development to develop technologies and technological innovations in the field of industrial manufacturing, mineral processing and energy;

(2) Undertake the transfer of research results directly to end-users or preferably via linkage units of other government agencies;

(3) Undertake technical services, such as but not limited to, standards, analytical and calibration services mandated by law or as needed by industry; and

(4) Conduct training and provide technical advisory and consultancy services to industry clientele and end-users.

(1) Conduct research and development on the application of radiation and nuclear materials, processes and techniques in agriculture, food, health, nutrition and medicine and in industrial or commercial enterprises;

(2) Undertake the transfer of research reactors and other radiation facilities; and

(3) License and regulate activities relative to production, transfer, and utilization of nuclear and radioactive substances.

(1) Undertake research that defines the citizenry's nutritional status, with reference particularly to the malnutrition problem, its causes and effects, and identify alternative solutions to them;

(2) Develop and recommend policy options, strategies, programs and projects, which address the malnutrition problem for implementation by the appropriate agencies; and

(3) Disseminate research findings and recommendations to the relevant end-users.

(1) Conduct applied research and development in secondary and tertiary processing for the forest-based industry to generate information and technology which can improve the utility value of wood and other forest products;

(2) Undertake the transfer or completed researches directly to the end-users or via linkage units of other government agencies;

(3) Undertake technical services and provide training programs.

(1) Conduct applied research and development for the textile industry sector;

(2) Undertake the transfer of completed researches to end-users or via linkage units for other government agencies; and

(3) Undertake technical services and provide training programs.

(1) Undertake long-term researches to strengthen and modernize science and technology infrastructure;

(2) Conduct research and development work in the advanced fields of studies including biotechnology and microelectronics; and

(3) Complement the overall endeavor in the scientific field with intensive activities in the computer and information technologies.

(1) Undertake science education and training;

(2) Administer scholarships, awards and grants;

(3) Undertake science and technology manpower development; and

(4) Formulate plans and establish programs and projects for the promotion and development of science and technology education and training in coordination with the Department of Education, Culture and Sports, and other institutions of learning in the field of science and technology.

(1) Establish a science and technology databank and library;

(2) Disseminate science and technology information; and

(3) Undertake training on science and technology information.

(1) Undertake contract research, particularly at the pilot plant and semi-commercial stage;

(2) Provide technical consultancy including engineering design services, patenting and licensing services; and

(3) Provide grants and/or venture-financing for new and/or emerging projects.

(1) Maintain a nationwide network pertaining to observation and forecasting of weather and other climatological conditions affecting national safety, welfare and economy;

(2) Undertake activities relative to observation, collection, assessment and processing of atmospheric and allied data for the benefit of agriculture, commerce and industry;

(3) Engage in studies of geophysical and astronomical phenomena essential to the safety and welfare of the people;

(4) Undertake researches on the structure, development and motion of typhoons and formulate measures for their moderation; and

(5) Maintain effective linkages with scientific organizations here and abroad, and promote exchange of scientific information and cooperation among personnel engaged in atmospheric, geophysical and astronomical studies.

(1) Predict the occurrence of volcanic eruptions and earthquakes and their geotectonic phenomena;

(2) Determine how eruptions and earthquakes shall occur and the likely areas to be affected;

(3) Exploit the positive aspects of volcanoes and volcanic terrain in furtherance of the socio-economic development efforts of the government;

(4) Generate sufficient data for forecasting volcanic eruptions and earthquakes;

(5) Formulate appropriate disaster-preparedness plans; and

(6) Mitigate hazards of volcanic activities through appropriate detection, forecast, and warning systems.

(1) Implement laws, rules, regulations, policies, plans, programs and projects of the Department;

(2) Provide efficient and effective service to the people;

(3) Coordinate with regional offices of other departments, offices and agencies in the administrative region;

(4) Coordinate with local government units; and

(5) Perform such other functions as may be provided by law.

(1) To stimulate research in the mathematical, physical, biological and other basic sciences and in the application of these sciences to engineering, agriculture, medicine, and other useful arts, with the object of increasing knowledge and of contributing in other ways to the public welfare;

(2) To give encouragement to individual initiative in research as fundamentally important to the advancement of science; and

(3) To gather and collate scientific and technical information at home and abroad, in cooperation with governmental and other agencies and to render such information available to duly accredited persons.

(1) Make its own organization, including its Constitution, by-laws and rules and regulations;

(2) Fill all vacancies created by death, resignation or otherwise;

(3) Provide for the election of members, division into classes, and for all other matters needful or usual in such institution;

(4) Receive bequests and donations and hold the same in trust, to be applied in aid of scientific investigations according to the will of the donors;

(5) Be exempt from the payment of all internal-revenue taxes, fees, assessments and other charges of the Government in carrying out its aims, functions, and powers;

(6) Submit an annual report to the Congress and to the President of the Philippines an accurate account of its work and activities during the corresponding fiscal year; and

(7) Perform such powers as may be provided by law or necessary to carry out its purposes and functions.

(1) Provide its members the following benefits and privileges:

(2) Recommend annually for Presidential awards not more than ten (10) scientists for distinguished individual or collaborative achievement in science or technology who shall be accorded by the President the rank and title of "National Scientists." Said "National Scientists" shall each be given gratuity in such amount to be fixed by the Academy and entitled to other privileges as enjoyed by the National Artists.

(3) Engage in other projects and programs designed to recognize outstanding achievements in science to promote scientific productivity.

(1) Agency means any bureau, office, commission, administration, board, committee, institute, corporation with original charter, whether performing governmental or proprietary function, or any other unit of the National Government, as well as provincial, city or municipal government, except as hereinafter otherwise provided.

(2) Appointing officer is the person or body authorized by law to make appointments in the Philippine Civil Service.

(3) Class includes all positions in the government service that are sufficiently similar as to duties and responsibilities and require similar qualifications that can be given the same title and salary and for all administrative and compensation purposes, be treated alike.

(4) Commission refers to the Civil Service Commission.

(5) Chairman refers to the Chairman of the Commission.

(6) Commissioner refers to either of the two other members of the Commission.

(7) Department includes any of the executive departments or entities having the category of a department including the judiciary, Commission on Elections and Commission on Audit.

(8) Eligible refers to a person who obtains a passing grade in a civil service examination or is granted a civil service eligibility and whose name is entered in the register of eligibles.

(9) Examination refers to a civil service examination conducted by the Commission and its regional offices or by other departments or agencies with the assistance of the Commission, or in coordination or jointly with it, and those that it may delegate to departments and agencies pursuant to this Title, or those that may have been delegated by law.

(10) Form refers to those prescribed by the Civil Service Commission.

(1) The Civil Service embraces all branches, subdivisions, instrumentalities, and agencies of the Government, including government-owned or controlled corporations with original charters.

(2) Positions in the Civil Service shall be classified into career service and non-career service.

(1) Open Career positions for appointment to which prior qualification in an appropriate examination is required;

(2) Closed Career positions which are scientific, or highly technical in nature; these include the faculty and academic staff of state colleges and universities, and scientific and technical positions in scientific or research institutions which shall establish and maintain their own merit systems;

(3) Positions in the Career Executive Service; namely, Undersecretary, Assistant Secretary, Bureau Director, Assistant Bureau Director, Regional Director, Assistant Regional Director, Chief of Department Service and other officers of equivalent rank as may be identified by the Career Executive Service Board, all of whom are appointed by the President;

(4) Career officers, other than those in the Career Executive Service, who are appointed by the President, such as the Foreign Service Officers in the Department of Foreign Affairs;

(5) Commissioned officers and enlisted men of the Armed Forces which shall maintain a separate merit system;

(6) Personnel of government-owned or controlled corporations, whether performing governmental or proprietary functions, who do not fall under the non-career service; and

(7) Permanent laborers, whether skilled, semi-skilled, or unskilled.

(1) Classes of positions in the career service appointment to which requires examinations shall be grouped into three major levels as follows:

(2) Except as herein otherwise provided, entrance to the first two levels shall be through competitive examinations, which shall be open to those inside and outside the service who meet the minimum qualification requirements. Entrance to a higher level does not require previous qualification in the lower level. Entrance to the third level shall be prescribed by the Career Executive Service Board.

(3) Within the same level, no civil service examination shall be required for promotion to a higher position in one or more related occupation groups. A candidate for promotion should, however, have previously passed the examination for that level.

(1) Elective officials and their personal or confidential staff;

(2) Secretaries and other officials of Cabinet rank who hold their positions at the pleasure of the President and their personal or confidential staff(s);

(3) Chairman and members of commissions and boards with fixed terms of office and their personal or confidential staff;

(4) Contractual personnel or those whose employment in the government is in accordance with a special contract to undertake a specific work or job, requiring special or technical skills not available in the employing agency, to be accomplished within a specific period, which in no case shall exceed one year, and performs or accomplishes the specific work or job, under his own responsibility with a minimum of direction and supervision from the hiring agency; and

(5) Emergency and seasonal personnel.

(1) Administer and enforce the constitutional and statutory provisions on the merit system for all levels and ranks in the Civil Service;

(2) Prescribe, amend and enforce rules and regulations for carrying into effect the provisions of the Civil Service Law and other pertinent laws;

(3) Promulgate policies, standards and guidelines for the Civil Service and adopt plans and programs to promote economical, efficient and effective personnel administration in the government;

(4) Formulate policies and regulations for the administration, maintenance and implementation of position classification and compensation and set standards for the establishment, allocation and reallocation of pay scales, classes and positions;

(5) Render opinion and rulings on all personnel and other Civil Service matters which shall be binding on all heads of departments, offices and agencies and which may be brought to the Supreme Court on certiorari;

(6) Appoint and discipline its officials and employees in accordance with law and exercise control and supervision over the activities of the Commission;

(7) Control, supervise and coordinate Civil Service examinations. Any entity or official in government may be called upon by the Commission to assist in the preparation and conduct of said examinations including security, use of buildings and facilities as well as personnel and transportation of examination materials which shall be exempt from inspection regulations;

(8) Prescribe all forms for Civil Service examinations, appointments, reports and such other forms as may be required by law, rules and regulations:

(9) Declare positions in the Civil Service as may properly be primarily confidential, highly technical or policy determining;

(10) Formulate, administer and evaluate programs relative to the development and retention of qualified and competent work force in the public service;

(11) Hear and decide administrative cases instituted by or brought before it directly or on appeal, including contested appointments, and review decisions and actions of its offices and of the agencies attached to it. Officials and employees who fail to comply with such decisions, orders, or rulings shall be liable for contempt of the Commission. Its decisions, orders, or rulings shall be final and executory. Such decisions, orders, or rulings may be brought to the Supreme Court on certiorari by the aggrieved party within thirty (30) days from receipt of a copy thereof;

(12) Issue subpoena and subpoena duces tecum for the production of documents and records pertinent to investigation and inquiries conducted by it in accordance with its authority conferred by the Constitution and pertinent laws;

(13) Advise the President on all matters involving personnel management in the government service and submit to the President an annual report on the personnel programs;

(14) Take appropriate action on all appointments and other personnel matters in the Civil Service including extension of Service beyond retirement age;

(15) Inspect and audit the personnel actions and programs of the departments, agencies, bureaus, offices, local government units and other instrumentalities of the government including government-owned or controlled corporations; conduct periodic review of the decisions and actions of offices or officials to whom authority has been delegated by the Commission as well as the conduct of the officials and the employees in these offices and apply appropriate sanctions when necessary;

(16) Delegate authority for the performance of any function to departments, agencies and offices where such functions may be effectively performed;

(17) Administer the retirement program for government officials and employees, and accredit government services and evaluate qualifications for retirement;

(18) Keep and maintain personnel records of all officials and employees in the Civil Service; and

(19) Perform all functions properly belonging to a central personnel agency and such other functions as may be provided by law.

(1) Direct all operations of the Commission;

(2) Establish procedures for the effective operations of the Commission;

(3) Transmit to the President rules and regulations, and other guidelines adopted by the Chairman which require Presidential attention including annual and other periodic reports;

(4) Issue appointments to, and enforce decisions on administrative discipline involving officials and employees of the Commission;

(5) Delegate authority for the performance of any function to officials and employees of the Commission;

(6) Approve and submit the annual and supplemental budget of the Commission; and

(7) Perform such other functions as may be provided by law.

(1) The Office of the Executive Director headed by an Executive Director, with a Deputy Executive Director shall implement policies, standards, rules and regulations promulgated by the Commission; coordinate the programs of the offices of the Commission and render periodic reports on their operations, and perform such other functions as may be assigned by the Commission.

(2) The Merit System Protection Board composed of a Chairman and two (2) members shall have the following functions:

(3) The Office of Legal Affairs shall provide the Chairman with legal advice and assistance; render counselling services; undertake legal studies and researches; prepare opinions and rulings in the interpretation and application of the Civil Service law, rules and regulations; prosecute violations of such law, rules and regulations; and represent the Commission before any Court or tribunal.

(4) The Office of Planning and Management shall formulate development plans, programs and projects; undertake research and studies on the different aspects of public personnel management; administer management improvement programs; and provide fiscal and budgetary services.

(5) The Central Administrative Office shall provide the Commission with personnel, financial, logistics and other basic support services.

(6) The Office of Central Personnel Records shall formulate and implement policies, standards, rules and regulations pertaining to personnel records maintenance, security, control and disposal; provide storage and extension services; and provide and maintain library services.

(7) The Office of Position Classification and Compensation shall formulate and implement policies, standards, rules and regulations relative to the administration of position classification and compensation.

(8) The Office of Recruitment, Examination and Placement shall provide leadership and assistance in developing and implementing the overall Commission programs relating to recruitment, examination and placement, and formulate policies, standards, rules and regulations for the proper implementation of the Commission's examination and placement programs.

(9) The Office of Career Systems and Standards shall provide leadership and assistance in the formulation and evaluation of personnel systems and standards relative to performance appraisal, merit promotion, and employee incentive benefits and awards.

(10) The Office of Human Resource Development shall provide leadership and assistance in the development and retention of qualified and efficient work force in the Civil Service; formulate standards for training and staff development; administer service-wide scholarship programs; develop training literature and materials; coordinate and integrate all training activities and evaluate training programs.

(11) The Office of Personnel Inspection and Audit shall develop policies, standards, rules and regulations for the effective conduct or inspection and audit of personnel and personnel management programs and the exercise of delegated authority; provide technical and advisory services to civil Service Regional Offices and government agencies in the implementation of their personnel programs and evaluation systems.

(12) The Office of Personnel Relations shall provide leadership and assistance in the development and implementation of policies, standards, rules and regulations in the accreditation of employee associations or organizations and in the adjustment and settlement of employee grievances and management of employee disputes.

(13) The Office of Corporate Affairs shall formulate and implement policies, standards, rules and regulations governing corporate officials and employees in the areas of recruitment, examination, placement, career development, merit and awards systems, position classification and compensation, performing appraisal, employee welfare and benefits, discipline and other aspects of personnel management on the basis of comparable industry practices.

(14) The Office of Retirement Administration shall be responsible for the enforcement of the constitutional and statutory provisions, relative to retirement and the regulation for the effective implementation of the retirement of government officials and employees.

(15) The Regional and Field Offices. - The Commission shall have not less than thirteen (13) Regional offices each to be headed by a Director, and such field offices as may be needed, each to be headed by an official with at least the rank of an Assistant Director. Each Regional Office shall have the following functions:

(1) Provide technical assistance in all aspects of personnel management;

(2) Monitor and audit periodically the personnel practices and performance of the Department or agency concerned as well as those of public officers and employees thereat;

(3) Determine agency compliance with Civil Service Law and rules; and

(4) In the performance of these functions, the staff shall welcome and receive from the public any suggestions, observations and complaints pertaining to the conduct of public officers and employees.

In the performance of their functions, the units so organized shall avail of the technical assistance and guidelines of the Civil Service Commission.

(1) Offer advice, upon request of the Secretary of a Department or the Commission, in developing constructive policies, standards, procedures, and programs as well as on matters relating to the improvement of personnel methods and to the solution of personnel problems confronting the various departments and agencies of the government;

(2) Promote among the departments and agencies, through study and discussion, uniform and consistent interpretation and application of personnel policies; and

(3) Serve as a clearing house of information and stimulate the use of methods of personnel management that will contribute most to good government.

(1) Opportunity for government employment shall be open to all qualified citizens and positive efforts shall be exerted to attract the best qualified to enter the service. Employees shall be selected on the basis of fitness to perform the duties and assume the responsibilities of the positions.

(2) When a vacancy occurs in a position in the first level of the Career Service as defined in Section 6, the employees in the department who occupy the next lower positions in the occupational group under which the vacant position is classified, and in other functionally related occupational groups and who are competent, qualified and with the appropriate civil service eligibility shall be considered for promotion.

(3) When a vacancy occurs in a position in the second level of the Career Service as defined in Section 8, the employees in the government service who occupy the next lower positions in the occupational group under which the vacant position is classified and in other functionally related occupational groups and who are competent, qualified and with the appropriate civil service eligibility shall be considered for promotion.

(4) For purposes of this Section, each department or agency shall evolve its own screening process, which may include tests of fitness, in accordance with standards and guidelines set by the Commission. Promotion boards shall be formed to formulate criteria for evaluation, conduct tests or interviews, and make systematic assessment of training experience.

(5) If the vacancy is not filled by promotion as provided herein the same shall be filled by transfer of present employees in the government service, by reinstatement, by re-employment of persons separated through reduction in force, or by appointment of persons with the civil service eligibility appropriate to the positions.

(6) A qualified next-in-rank employee shall have the right to appeal initially to the Secretaries or heads of agencies or instrumentalities including government-owned or controlled corporations with original charters, then to the Merit System Protection Board, and finally to the Civil Service Commission an appointment made in favor of another employee if the appellant is not satisfied with the written special reason or reason given by the appointing authority for such appointment; Provided, however, that the decision of the Civil Service Commission may be reviewed on certiorari only by the Supreme Court within thirty (30) days from receipt of the decision of the aggrieved party. For purposes of this Section, "qualified next-in-rank" refers to an employee appointed on a permanent basis to a position previously determined to be next-in-rank and who meets the requirements for appointment thereto as previously determined by the appointing authority and approved by the Commission.

(7) Qualification in an appropriate examination shall be required for appointment to positions in the first and second levels in the career service in accordance with the Civil Service rules, except as otherwise provided in this Title: Provided, That whenever there is a civil service eligible actually available for appointment, no person who is not such an eligible shall be appointed even in a temporary capacity to any vacant position in the career service in the government or in any government-owned or controlled corporation with original charter, except when the immediate filling of the vacancy is urgently required in the public interest, or when the vacancy is not permanent, in which cases temporary appointments of non-eligibles may be made in the absence of eligibles actually and immediately available.

(8) The appropriate examinations herein referred to shall be those given by the Commission and the different agencies: Provided, however, That nothing herein shall affect those eligibilities acquired prior to the effectivity of this Civil Service Law: Provided, further, That a person with a civil service eligibility acquired by successfully passing an examination shall be qualified for a position requiring a lower eligibility if he possesses the other requirements for appointments to such position.

(1) A qualification standard expresses the minimum requirements for a class of positions in terms of education, training and experience, civil service eligibility, physical fitness, and other qualities required for successful performance. The degree of qualifications of an officer or employee shall be determined by the appointing authority on the basis of the qualification standard for the particular position.

Qualification standards shall be used as basis for civil service examinations for positions in the career service, as guides in appointment and other personnel actions, in the adjudication of protested appointments, in determining training needs, and as aid in the inspection and audit of the agencies personnel work programs.

It shall be administered in such manner as to continually provide incentives to officers and employees towards professional growth and foster the career system in the government service.

(2) The establishment, administration and maintenance of qualification standards shall be the responsibility of the department or agency, with the assistance and approval of the Civil Service Commission and in consultation with the Wage and Position Classification Office.

(1) Appointment through certification. An appointment through certification to a position in the civil service, except as herein otherwise provided, shall be issued to a person who has been selected from a list of qualified persons certified by the Commission from an appropriate register of eligibles, and who meets all the other requirements of the position.

All such persons must serve a probationary period of six months following their original appointment and shall undergo a thorough character investigation in order to acquire permanent civil service status. A probationer may be dropped from the service for unsatisfactory conduct or want of capacity any time before the expiration of the probationary period: Provided, That such action is appealable to the Commission.

(2) Promotion. A promotion is a movement from one position to another with an increase in duties and responsibilities as authorized by law and usually accompanied by an increase in pay. The movement may be from one department or agency to another, or from one organizational unit to another in the same department or agency.

(3) Transfer. A transfer is a movement from one position to another which is of equivalent rank, level, or salary without break in service involving the issuance of an appointment.

It shall not be considered disciplinary when made in the interest of public service, in which case, the employee concerned shall be informed of the reasons therefor. If the employee believes that there is no justification for the transfer, he may appeal his case to the Commission.

The transfer may be from one department or agency to another or from one organizational unit to another in the same department or agency: Provided, however, That any movement from the non-career service to the career service shall not be considered a transfer.

(4) Reinstatement. Any person who has been permanently appointed to a position in the career service and who has, through no delinquence or misconduct, been separated therefrom, may be reinstated to a position in the same level for which he is qualified.

(5) Reemployment. Names of persons who have been appointed permanently to positions in the career service and who have been separated as a result of reduction in force or reorganization, shall be entered in a list from which selection for reemployment shall be made.

(6) Detail. A detail is the movement of an employee from one agency to another without the issuance of an appointment and shall be allowed, only for a limited period in the case of employees occupying professional, technical and scientific positions. If the employee believes that there is no justification for the detail, he may appeal his case to the Commission. Pending appeal, the decision to detail the employee shall be executory unless otherwise ordered by the Commission.

(7) Reassignment. An employee may be reassigned from one organizational unit to another in the same agency: Provided, That such reassignment shall not involve a reduction in rank, status or salary.

(1) Permanent status. A permanent appointment shall be issued to a person who meets all the requirements for the positions to which he is being appointed, including the appropriate eligibility prescribed, in accordance with the provisions of law, rules and standards promulgated in pursuance thereof.

(2) Temporary appointment. In the absence of appropriate eligibles and it becomes necessary in the public interest to fill a vacancy, a temporary appointment shall be issued to a person who meets all the requirements for the position to which he is being appointed except the appropriate civil service eligibility: Provided, That such temporary appointment shall not exceed twelve months, but the appointee may be replaced sooner if a qualified civil service eligible becomes available.

(1) Public and private colleges and universities and similar institutions shall be encouraged to organize and carry out continuing programs of executive development.

(2) The Commission, the Commission on Audit, the Department of Budget and Management, the General Services Administration, and other central staff agencies shall conduct centralized training and assist in the training program of the Departments or agencies along their respective functional areas of specialization.

(3) In coordination with the Commission, the Department of Local Government and Community Development shall undertake local government training programs.

(4) In coordination with the Commission, each department or agency, province or city shall establish, maintain and promote a systematic plan of action for personnel training at all levels in accordance with standards laid down by the Commission. It shall maintain appropriate training staffs and make full use of available training facilities.

Whenever it deems it necessary, the Commission shall take the initiative in undertaking programs for personnel development.

(1) It shall be the concern of the Commission to provide leadership and assistance in developing employee relations programs in the department or agencies.

(2) Every Secretary or head of agency shall take all proper steps toward the creation of an atmosphere conducive to good supervisor-employee relations and the improvement of employee morale.

(1) All government employees, including those in government-owned or controlled corporations with original charters, can form, join or assist employees' organizations of their own choosing for the furtherance and protection of their interests. They can also form, in conjunction with appropriate government authorities, labor-management committees, work councils and other forms of workers' participation schemes to achieve the same objectives.

(2) The provisions of this Chapter shall not apply to the members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, including police officers, policemen, firemen and jail guards.

(1) Government employees shall not be discriminated against in respect of their employment by reason of their membership in employees' organizations or participation in the normal activities of their organizations. Their employment shall not be subject to the condition that they shall not join or shall relinquish their membership in the employees' organizations.

(2) Government authorities shall not interfere in the establishment, functioning or administration of government employees' organizations through acts designed to place such organizations under the control of government authority. lawphi1.net

(1) The duly registered employees' organization having the support of the majority of the employees in the appropriate organizational unit shall be designated as the sole and exclusive representative of the employees.

(2) A duly registered employees' organization shall be accorded voluntary recognition upon a showing that no other employees' organization is registered or is seeking registration, based on the records of the Bureau of Labor Relations, and that the said organization has the majority support of the rank-and-file employees in the organizational unit.

(3) Where there are two or more duly registered employees' organizations in the appropriate organizational unit, the Bureau of Labor Relations shall, upon petition, order the conduct of a certification election and shall certify the winner as the exclusive representative of the rank-and-file employees in said organizational unit.

(a) No officer or employee in the Civil Service shall be suspended or dismissed except for cause as provided by law and after due process.

(b) The following shall be grounds for disciplinary action:

(c) Except when initiated by the disciplining authority, no complaint against a civil service official or employee shall be given due course unless the same is in writing and subscribed and sworn to by the complainant.

(d) In meeting out punishment, the same penalties shall be imposed for similar offenses and only one penalty shall be imposed in each case. The disciplining authority may impose the penalty of removal from the service, demotion in rank, suspension for not more than one year without pay, fine in an amount not exceeding six months' salary, or reprimand.

(1) The Commission shall decide upon appeal all administrative disciplinary cases involving the imposition of a penalty of suspension for more than thirty days, or fine in an amount exceeding thirty days' salary, demotion in rank or salary or transfer, removal or dismissal from office. A complaint may be filed directly with the Commission by a private citizen against a government official or employee in which case it may hear and decide the case or it may deputize any department or agency or official or group of officials to conduct the investigation. The results of the investigation shall be submitted to the Commission with recommendation as to the penalty to be imposed or other action to be taken.

(2) The Secretaries and heads of agencies and instrumentalities, provinces, cities and municipalities shall have jurisdiction to investigate and decide matters involving disciplinary action against officers and employees under their jurisdiction. Their decisions shall be final in case the penalty imposed is suspension for not more than thirty days or fine in an amount not exceeding thirty days', salary. In case the decision rendered by a bureau or office head is appealable to the Commission, the same may be initially appealed to the department and finally to the Commission and pending appeal, the same shall be executory except when the penalty is removal, in which case the same shall be executory only after confirmation by the Secretary concerned.

(3) An investigation may be entrusted to regional director or similar officials who shall make the necessary report and recommendation to the chief of bureau or office or department within the period specified in Paragraph (4) of the following Section.

(4) An appeal shall not stop the decision from being executory, and in case the penalty is suspension or removal, the respondent shall be considered as having been under preventive suspension during the pendency of the appeal in the event he wins an appeal.

(1) Administrative proceedings may be commenced against a subordinate officer or employee by the Secretary or head of office of equivalent rank, or head of local government, or chiefs of agencies, or regional directors, or upon sworn, written complaint of any other person.

(2) In the case of a complaint filed by any other persons, the complainant shall submit sworn statements covering his testimony and those of his witnesses together with his documentary evidence. If on the basis of such papers a prima facie case is found not to exist, the disciplining authority shall dismiss the case. If a prima facie case exists, he shall notify the respondent in writing, of the charges against the latter, to which shall be attached copies of the complaint, sworn statements and other documents submitted, and the respondent shall be allowed not less than seventy-two hours after receipt of the complaint to answer the charges in writing under oath, together with supporting sworn statements and documents, in which he shall indicate whether or not he elects a formal investigation if his answer is not considered satisfactory. If the answer is found satisfactory, the disciplining authority shall dismiss the case.

(3) Although a respondent does not request a formal investigation, one shall nevertheless be conducted when from the allegations of the complaint and the answer of the respondent, including the supporting documents, the merits of the case cannot be decided judiciously without conducting such an investigation.

(4) The investigation shall be held not earlier than five days nor later than ten days from the date of receipt of respondent's answer by the disciplining authority, and shall be finished within thirty days from the filing of the charges, unless the period is extended by the Commission in meritorious cases. The decision shall be rendered by the disciplining authority within thirty days from the termination of the investigation or submission of the report of the investigator, which report shall be submitted within fifteen days from the conclusion of the investigation.

(5) The direct evidence for the complainant and the respondent shall consist of the sworn statement and documents submitted in support of the complaint or answer, as the case may be, without prejudice to the presentation of additional evidence deemed necessary but was unavailable at the time of the filing of the complaint or answer, upon which the cross-examination, by respondent and the complainant, respectively, shall be based. Following cross-examination, there may be redirect and recross-examination.

(6) Either party may avail himself of the services of counsel and may require the attendance of witnesses and the production of documentary evidence in his favor through the compulsory process of subpoena or subpoena duces tecum.

(7) The investigation shall be conducted only for the purpose of ascertaining the truth and without necessarily adhering to technical rules applicable in judicial proceedings. It shall be conducted by the disciplining authority concerned or his authorized representative.

The phrase "any other party" shall be understood to be a complainant other than those referred to in subsection (a) hereof.

(1) Appeals, where allowable, shall be made by the party adversely affected by the decision within fifteen days from receipt of the decision unless a petition for reconsideration is seasonably filed, which petition shall be decided within fifteen days. Notice of the appeal shall be filed with the disciplining office, which shall forward the records of the case, together with the notice of appeal, to the appellate authority within fifteen days from filing of the notice of appeal, with its comment, if any. The notice of appeal shall specifically state the date of the decision appealed from and the date of receipt thereof. It shall also specifically set forth clearly the grounds relied upon for excepting from the decision.

(2) A petition for reconsideration shall be based only on any of the following grounds: (a) new evidence has been discovered which materially affects the decision rendered; (b) the decision is not supported by the evidence on record; or (c) error of law or irregularities have been committed which are prejudicial to the interest of the respondent: Provided, That only one petition for reconsideration shall be entertained.

(1) When the charge is serious and the evidence of guilt is strong;

(2) When the respondent is a recidivist or has been repeatedly charged and there is reasonable ground to believe that he is guilty of the present charge; and

(3) When the respondent is notoriously undesirable.

Resort to summary proceedings by the disciplining authority shall be done with utmost objectivity and impartiality to the end that no injustice is committed: Provided, That removal or dismissal except those by the President, himself or upon his order, may be appealed to the Commission.

(1) No elective official shall be eligible for appointment or designation in any capacity to any public office or position during his tenure.

(2) No candidate who has lost in any election shall, within one year after election, be appointed to any office in the Government or any government-owned or controlled corporations or in any of its subsidiaries.

(3) Unless otherwise allowed by law or by the primary functions of his position, no appointive official shall hold any other office or employment in the Government or any subdivision, agency or instrumentality thereof, including government-owned or controlled corporations or their subsidiaries.

(1) All appointments in the national, provincial, city and municipal governments or in any branch or instrumentality thereof, including government-owned or controlled corporations, made in favor of a relative of the appointing or recommending authority, or of the chief of the bureau or office, or of the persons exercising immediate supervision over him, are hereby prohibited.

As used in this Section, the word "relative" and members of the family referred to are those related within the third degree either or consanguinity or of affinity.

(2) The following are exempted from the operation of the rules on nepotism: (a) persons employed in a confidential capacity, (b) teachers, (c) physicians, and (d) members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines: Provided, however, That in each particular instance full report of such appointment shall be made to the Commission.

The restriction mentioned in subsection (1) shall not be applicable to the case of a member of any family who, after his or her appointment to any position in an office or bureau, contracts marriage with someone in the same office or bureau, in which event the employment or retention therein of both husband and wife may be allowed.

(3) In order to give immediate effect to these provisions, cases of previous appointments which are in contravention hereof shall be corrected by transfer, and pending such transfer, no promotion or salary increase shall be allowed in favor of the relative or relatives who are appointed in violation of these provisions.

(1) "Fund" is a sum of money or other resources set aside for the purpose of carrying out specific activities or attaining certain objectives in accordance with special requisitions, restrictions, or limitations, and constitutes an independent fiscal and accounting entity.

(2) "Government funds" includes public moneys of every sort and other resources pertaining to any agency of the Government.

(3) "Revenue funds" comprises all funds deprived from the income of any agency of the Government and available for appropriation or expenditure in accordance with law.

(4) "Trust funds" refers to funds which have come officially into the possession of any agency of the Government or of a public officer as trustee, agent, or administrator, or which have been received for the fulfillment of some obligation.

(5) "Depository funds" comprises funds over which the officer accountable therefor may retain control for the lawful purposes for which they came into his possession. It embraces moneys in any and all depositories.

(6) "Depository" refers to any financial institution lawfully authorized to receive government moneys upon deposit.

(7) "Resources" refers to the actual assets of any agency of the Government such as cash, instruments representing or convertible to money, receivables, lands, buildings, as well as contingent assets, such as estimated revenues applying to the current fiscal period not accrued or collected, and bonds authorized and unissued.

(8) "Government agency" or "agency of the government," or "agency" refers to any department, bureaus or office of the National Government, or any of its branches and instrumentalities, or any political subdivision, as well as any government-owned or controlled corporation, including its subsidiaries, or other self-governing board or commission of the Government.

(1) Control and supervise the general administration of the commission;

(2) Direct and manage the implementation and execution of policies, standards, rules and regulations of the commission;

(3) Control and supervise the audit of highly technical or confidential transactions or accounts of any government agency; and

(4) Perform such other related functions as may be assigned from time to time by the Chairman.

(1) Prepare the agenda for the sessions of the Commission Proper;

(2) Prepare and keep the minutes of all sessions, hearings and conferences of the Commission Proper;

(3) Maintain the records of the Commission Proper; and

(4) Perform such related functions as may be assigned by the Chairman of the Commission Proper.

(1) The Administrative Office shall be headed by a Director and shall perform the following functions:

(2) The Planning, Financial and Management Office shall:

(3) The State Accounting and Auditing Development Office shall be headed by a Director and shall perform the following functions:

(4) The Accountancy Office shall be headed by a Director and shall perform the following functions:

(5) The Special Audits Office shall be headed by a Director and shall perform the following functions:

(6) The Technical Services Office shall perform the following functions:

(7) The Legal Office shall be headed by a General Counsel with the rank and privileges of a director and which shall perform the following functions:

(8) The National Government Audit Offices I and II shall be headed by a Director and which shall perform the following functions:

(9) The Corporate Audit Office shall be headed by a Director and shall perform the following functions:

(10) The Local Governments Audit Office shall be headed by a Director and shall perform the following functions:

(1) Exercise supervision and control over the implementation of auditing rules and regulations in any agency of the government with principal office or place of operations within the regions;

(2) Review local, national and corporate audit reports pertaining to the region;

(3) Exercise control and supervision over personnel, planning, financial (budgetary and accounting), and legal matters pertaining to the region; and

(4) Perform such other related functions as may be assigned by the Chairman.

(1) Examine, audit and settle all accounts, funds, financial transactions and resources of government agencies under their jurisdiction.

(2) Submit audit reports and such other reports as may be required by the Commission;

(3) Keep and preserve expense vouchers, journal vouchers, stubs of treasury warrants and checks, reports of collections and disbursements and similar documents together with their supporting papers, under regulations of the Commission; and

(4) Perform such other functions as may be assigned to them by the Chairman.

(1) Determine whether or not the fiscal responsibility that rests directly with the head of the government agency has been properly and effectively discharged;

(2) Develop and implement a comprehensive audit program that shall encompass an examination of financial transactions, accounts and reports, including evaluation of compliance with applicable laws and regulations;

(3) Institute control measures through the promulgation of auditing and accounting rules and regulations governing the receipts disbursements, and uses of funds and property, consistent with the total economic development efforts of the Government;

(4) Promulgate auditing and accounting rules and regulations so as to facilitate the keeping, and enhance the information value of the accounts of the Government;

(5) Institute measures designed to preserve and ensure the independence of its representatives; and

(6) Endeavor to bring its operations closer to the people by the delegation of authority through decentralization, consistent with the provisions of the Constitution and the laws.

(1) The Commission on Audit shall have the power, authority, and duty to examine, audit, and settle all accounts pertaining to the revenue and receipts of, and expenditures or uses of funds and property, owned or held in trust by, or pertaining to, the Government, or any of its subdivisions, agencies, or instrumentalities, including government-owned or controlled corporations with original charters, and on a post-audit basis: (a) constitutional bodies, commissions and offices that have been granted fiscal autonomy under this Constitution; (b) autonomous state colleges and universities, (c) other government-owned or controlled corporations and their subsidiaries; and (d) such non-governmental entities receiving subsidy or equity, directly or indirectly from or through the Government, which are required by law or the granting institution to submit to such audit as a condition of subsidy or equity. However, where the internal control system of the audited agencies is inadequate, the Commission may adopt such measures, including temporary or special pre-audit, as are necessary and appropriate to correct the deficiencies. It shall keep the general accounts of the Government and, for such period as may be provided by law, preserve the vouchers and other supporting papers pertaining thereto.

(2) The Commission shall have exclusive authority, subject to the limitations in this Article, to define the scope of its audit and examination, establish the techniques and methods required therefor, and promulgate accounting and auditing rules and regulations, including those for the prevention and disallowance of irregular, unnecessary, excessive, extravagant, or unconscionable expenditures, or uses of government funds and properties.

(1) The Commission shall have visitorial authority over non-government entities subsidized by the Government, those required to pay levies or have government shares, those which have received counterpart funds from the Government or are partly funded by donations through the Government. This authority, however, shall pertain only to the audit of these funds or subsidies coming from or through the Government; and

(2) Upon direction of the President, the Commission shall likewise exercise visitorial authority over non-governmental entities whose loans are guaranteed by the Government, provided that such authority shall pertain only to the audit of the government's contingent liability.

(1) The Commission shall fix and collect reasonable fees for the different services rendered to non-government entities that shall be audited in connection with their dealings with the Government arising from subsidiaries, counterpart funding by Government, or where audited records become the basis for a government levy or share. Fees of this nature shall accrue to the General Fund and shall be remitted to the Treasurer of the Philippines within ten (10) days following the completion of the audit; and

(2) Whenever the Commission contracts with any government entity to render audit and related services beyond the normal scope of such services, the Commission is empowered to fix and collect reasonable fees. Such fees shall either be appropriated in the agency's current budget, charged against its savings, or appropriated in its succeeding year's budget. Remittance shall accrue to the General Fund and shall be made to the Treasurer of the Philippines within the time provided for in the contract of service, or in the billing rendered by the Commission.

(1) The Commission may, when the exigencies of the service also require, deputize and retain in the name of the Commission such certified public accountants and other licensed professionals not in the public service as it may deem necessary to assist government auditors in undertaking specialized audit engagements; and

(2) The deputized professionals shall be entitled to such compensation and allowances as may be stipulated, subject to pertinent rules and regulations on compensation and fees.

(1) No government agency shall enter into any contract with any private person or firm for services to undertake studies and services relating to government auditing, including services to conduct, for a fee, seminars or workshops for government personnel on these topics, unless the proposed contract is first submitted to the Commission to enable it to determine if it has the resources to undertake such studies or services. The Commission may engage the services of experts from the public or private sectors in the conduct of these studies; and

(2) Should the Commission decide not to undertake the study or service, it shall nonetheless have the power to review the contract in order to determine the reasonableness of its costs.

(1) When the interest of the Government so requires, the Commission may compromise or release in whole or in part, any settled claim or liability to any government agency not exceeding ten thousand pesos arising out of any matter or case before it or within its jurisdiction, and with the written approval of the President, it may likewise compromise or release any similar claim or liability not exceeding one hundred thousand pesos. In case the claim or liability exceeds one hundred thousand pesos, the application for relief therefrom shall be submitted, through the Commission and the President, with their recommendations, to the Congress; and

(2) The Commission may, in the interest of the Government, authorize the charging or crediting to an appropriate account in the National Treasury, small discrepancies (overage or shortage) in the remittances to, and disbursements of, the National Treasury, subject to the rules and regulations as it may prescribe.

(1) The Commission shall examine and audit the books, records and accounts of public utilities in connection with the fixing of rates of every nature, or in relation to the proceedings of the proper regulatory agencies, for purposes of determining franchise taxes;

(2) Any public utility refusing to allow an examination and audit of its books of accounts and pertinent records, or offering unnecessary obstruction to the examination and audit, or found guilty of concealing any material information concerning its financial status shall be subject to the penalties provided by law; and

(3) During the examination and audit, the public utility concerned shall produce all the reports, records, books of accounts and such other papers as may be required. The Commission shall have the power to examine under oath any official or employee of the said public utility.

(1) The Commission shall have the power, for purposes of inspection, to require the submission of the original of any order, deed, contract, or other document under which any collection, or payment from, government funds may be made, together with any certificate, receipt, or other evidence in connection therewith. If authenticated copy is needed for record purposes, the copy shall upon demand be furnished;

(2) In the case of deeds to property purchased by any government agency, the Commission shall require a certificate of title entered in favor of the Government or other evidence satisfactory to it that the title is in the Government; and

(3) It shall be the duty of the officials or employees concerned, including those in non-government entities under audit, or affected in the audit of government and non-government entities, to comply with these requirements. Failure or refusal to do so without justifiable cause shall be a ground for administrative disciplinary action as well as for disallowing permanently a claim under examination, assessing additional levy or government share, or withholding or withdrawing government funding or donation through the Government.

(1) The Commission shall submit to the President, and the Congress not later than the last day of September of each year an annual report on the financial condition and results of operation of all agencies of the Government which shall include recommendations of measures necessary to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of these agencies;

(2) To carry out the purposes of this section, the Chief Accountant or the official in charge of keeping the accounts of government agency shall submit to the Commission year-end trial balances and such other supporting or subsidiary statements as may be required by the Commission not later than the fourteenth (14) day of February. Trial balances returned by the Commission for revision due to non-compliance with accounting rules and regulations shall be resubmitted within three days after the date of receipt by the official concerned; and

(3) Failure on the part of any official or employee to comply with the provisions of the immediately preceding paragraph shall cause the automatic suspension of the payment of his salary and other emoluments until he shall have complied therewith. The violation of these provisions for at least three (3) times shall subject the offender to administrative disciplinary action.

(1) The Auditors shall exercise such powers and functions as may be authorized by the Commission in the examination, audit and settlement of the accounts, funds, financial transactions and resources of the agencies under their respective audit jurisdiction;

(2) A report of audit for each calendar year shall be submitted on the last working day of February following the close of the year by the head of each auditing unit through the Commission to the head or the governing body of the agency concerned, and copies thereof shall be furnished the government officials concerned or authorized to receive them. Subject to such rules and regulations as the Commission may prescribe, the report shall set forth the scope of audit and shall include statements of financial conditions, surplus or deficit analysis, operations, changes in financial position, and such comments and information as may be necessary together with such recommendations with respect thereto as may be advisable, including a report of any impairment of capital noted in the audit. It shall also show specifically any program, expenditure, or other financial transaction or undertaking observed in the course of the audit which in the opinion of the auditor has been carried out or made without authority of law. The auditor shall render such other reports as the Commission may require:

(3) In the performance of their respective audit functions as herein specified, the auditors shall employ such auditing procedures and techniques as are determined by the Commission under regulations that it may promulgate; and

(4) The auditors in all auditing units shall have the custody and be responsible for the safekeeping and preservation of paid expense vouchers, journal vouchers, stubs of treasury warrants or checks, reports of collections and disbursements and similar documents, together with their respective supporting papers, under regulations of the Commission.

(1) The books, accounts, papers and cash of any local treasurer or other accountable officer shall at all times be open to the inspection of the Commission or its authorized representatives;

(2) In case an examination of the accounts of a local treasurer discloses a shortage in cash which should be on hand, it shall be the duty of the examining officer to seize the office and its contents, notify the Commission and the local chief executive, thereupon immediately take full possession of the office and its contents, close and render his accounts to the date of taking possession, and temporarily continue the public business of such office; and

(3) The auditor who takes possession of the office of the local treasurer under this section shall ipso facto supersede the local treasurer until the officer involved is restored, or another person has been appointed or designated to the position or other provision has been lawfully made for filling the office.

(1) Upon discovery in audit of a shortage in the accounts of any accountable officer and upon a finding of a prima facie case of malversation of public funds or property against him, in order to safeguard the interest of the Government, the Commission may place under constructive distraint personal property of the accountable officer concerned where there is reasonable ground to believe that the said officer is retiring from the government service or intends to leave the Philippines or remove his property therefrom or hide or conceal his property.

(2) The constructive distraint shall be effected by requiring the accountable officer concerned or any other person having possession or control of the property to accomplish a receipt, in the form of prescribed by the Commission, covering the property distrained and obligate himself to preserve the same intact and unaltered and not to dispose of it in any manner whatever without the express authority of the Commission; and

(3) In case the said accountable officer or other person having the possession and control of the property sought to be placed under constructive distraint refuses or fails to accomplish the receipt herein referred to, the representative of the Commission effecting the constructive distraint shall proceed to prepare a list of such property and, in the presence of two (2) witnesses, leave a copy thereof in the premises where the property distrained is located, after which the said property shall be deemed to have been placed under constructive distraint.

(1) At any time before the expiration of three (3) years after the settlement of any account by an auditor, the Commission may motu proprio review and revise the account or settlement and certify a new balance. For this purpose, it may require any account, vouchers or other papers connected with the matter to be forwarded to it;

(2) When any settled account appears to be tainted with fraud, collusion, or error of calculation, or when new and material evidence is discovered, the Commission may, within three (3) years after the original settlement, open the account and, after a reasonable time for reply or appearance of the party concerned, certify thereon a new balance. An auditor may exercise the same power with respect to settled accounts pertaining to the agencies under his audit jurisdiction; and

(3) Accounts once finally settled shall in no case be opened or reviewed except as herein provided.

(1) The audit shall be performed by a person possessed with adequate technical training and proficiency as auditor;

(2) In all matters relating to the audit work, the auditor shall maintain complete independence, impartiality and objectivity and shall avoid any possible compromise of his independence or any act which may create a presumption of lack of independence or the possibility of undue influence in the performance of his duties; and

(3) The auditor shall exercise due professional care and be guided by applicable laws, regulations and the generally accepted principles of accounting in the performance of the audit work a well as in the preparation of audit and financial reports.

(1) No payment of any nature shall be received by a collecting officer without immediately issuing an official receipt in acknowledgment thereof. The receipt may be in the form of postage, internal revenue or documentary stamps and the like, or officially numbered receipts, subject to proper custody, accountability and audit; and

(2) Where mechanical devices are used to acknowledge cash receipts, the Commission may approve, upon request, exemption from the use of accountable forms.

(1) Revenue funds shall not be paid out of any public treasury or depository except in pursuance of an appropriation law or other specific statutory authority;

(2) Trust funds shall not be paid out of any public treasury or depository except in fulfillment of the purpose for which the trust was created or funds received and upon authorization of the legislative body, or head of any other agency of the government having control thereof, and subject to pertinent budget laws, rules and regulations;

(3) National revenue and trust funds shall not be withdrawn from the National Treasury except upon warrant or other instruments of withdrawal approved by the Secretary of Finance as recommended by the Treasurer of the Philippines; and

(4) Temporary investment of investible cash in the National Treasury in any securities issued by the National Government and its political subdivisions and instrumentalities, including government-owned or controlled corporations as authorized by the Secretary of Finance, shall not be construed as disbursement of funds.

(1) No contract involving the expenditure of public funds shall be entered into unless there is an appropriation therefor, the unexpended balance of which, free of other obligations, is sufficient to cover the proposed expenditure; and

(2) Notwithstanding this provision, contracts for the procurement of supplies and materials to be carried in stock may be entered into under regulations of the Commission provided that when issued, the supplies and materials shall be charged to the proper appropriations account.

(1) Every officer of any government agency whose duties permit or require the possession or custody government funds shall be accountable therefor and for safekeeping thereof in conformity with law; and

(2) Every accountable officer shall be properly bonded in accordance with law.

(1) The head of any agency of the Government is immediately and primarily responsible for all government funds and property pertaining to his agency;

(2) Persons entrusted with the possession or custody of the funds or property under the agency head shall be immediately responsible to him, without prejudice to the liability of either party to the Government.

(1) Promulgate rules and regulations implementing the provisions of the Omnibus Elections Code or other laws which the Commission is required to enforce and administer;

(2) Fix other reasonable periods for certain pre-election requirements in order that voters shall not be deprived of their rights of suffrage and certain groups of rights granted them in the Omnibus Election Code;

Unless indicated in the Omnibus Election Code, the Commission is hereby authorized to fix the appropriate period for the various prohibited acts enumerated therein, consistent with the requirements of free, orderly, honest, peaceful and credible elections.

(3) Exercise direct and immediate supervision and control over national and local officials or employees, including members of any national or local law enforcement agency and instrumentality of the government required by law to perform duties relative to the conduct of elections, plebiscite, referendum, recall and initiative. In addition, it may authorize CMT cadets, eighteen years of age and above to act as its deputies for the purpose of enforcing its orders;

The Commission may relieve any officer or employee referred to in the preceding paragraph from the performance of his duties relating to electoral processes who violates the election law or fails to comply with its instructions, orders, decisions or rulings, and appoint his substitute. Upon recommendation of the Commission, the corresponding proper authority shall suspend or remove from office any or all of such officers or employees who may after due process, be found guilty of such violation or failure.

(4) During the period of the campaign and ending thirty days thereafter, when in any area of the country there are persons committing acts of terrorism to influence people to vote for or against any candidate or political party, the Commission shall have the power to authorize any member or members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the National Bureau of Investigation, the Integrated National Police or any similar agency or instrumentality of the government, except civilian home defense forces, to act as deputies for the purpose of insuring the holding of free, orderly, honest, peaceful and credible elections;

(5) Publish at least ten (10) days before an election in a newspaper of general circulation certified data on the number of official ballots and election returns and the names and address of the printers and the number printed by each;

(6) Refuse, motu propio or upon a verified petition, to give due course to or cancel a certificate of candidacy if it is shown that said certificate has been filed to put the election process in mockery or disrepute or to cause confusion among the voters by the similarity of the names of the registered candidates or by other circumstances or acts which clearly demonstrate that the candidate has no bona fide intention to run for the office for which the certificate of candidacy has been filed and thus prevent a faithful determination of the true will of the electorate;

(7) Postpone, motu propio or upon verified petition and after due notice and hearing whereby all interested parties are afforded equal opportunity to be heard, the election to a date which should be reasonably close to the date of the election not held, suspended or which resulted in a failure to elect but not later than thirty days after the cessation of the cause for such postponement or suspension of the election or failure to elect, when for any serious cause such as violence, terrorism, loss or destruction of election paraphernalia or records, force majeure, and other analogous causes the holding of a free, orderly, honest, peaceful and credible election should become impossible in any political subdivision.

(8) Call for the holding or continuation of election not held in any polling place where on account of force majeure, violence, terrorism, fraud or other analogous causes the election has not been held on the date fixed, or had been suspended before the hour fixed by law for the closing of the voting, or after the voting and during the preparation and the transmission of the election returns or in the custody or canvass thereof, such election results in a failure to elect, and in any of such cases the failure or suspension of election would affect the result of the election. Such call should be on the basis of a verified petition by any interested party and after due notice and hearing and the new date should be reasonably close to the date of the election not held, suspended or which resulted in a failure to elect but not later than thirty (30) days after the cessation of the cause of such postponement or suspension of the election or failure to elect.

(9) Call a special election to elect the member to serve the unexpired portion in case a vacancy arises in the Senate or in the House of Representatives eighteen (18) months or more before a regular election, to be held within sixty (60) days after the vacancy occurs;

(10) Summon the parties to a controversy pending before it, issue subpoena duces tecum and take testimony in any investigation or hearing before it, and delegate such power to any officer of the Commission who shall be a member of the Philippine Bar. In case of failure of a witness to attend, the Commission, upon proof of service of the subpoena to said witness, may issue a warrant to arrest the witness and bring him before the Commission or the officer before whom his attendance is required;

Any controversy submitted to the Commission shall, after compliance with the requirements of due process, be immediately heard and decided by it within sixty (60) days from the date of its submission for decision or resolution. No decision or resolution shall be rendered by the Commission either en banc or by division unless taken up in a formal session properly convened for the purpose;

The Commission may when necessary, avail itself of the assistance of any national or local law enforcement agency and or instrumentality of the government to execute under its direct and immediate supervision any of its final decisions, orders, instruction or rulings;

(11) Punish for contempt according to the procedure, and with the same penalties provided, in the Rules of Court. Any violation of any final and executory decision, order or ruling of the Commission shall constitute contempt thereof;

(12) Enforce and execute its decisions, directives, orders and instructions which shall have precedence over those emanating from any other authority, except the Supreme Court and those issued in habeas corpus proceedings;

(13) Prescribe the forms to be used in the election, plebiscite or referendum, recall or initiative;

(14) Procure any supplies, equipment, materials or services needed for the holding of the election by public bidding; but if it finds the requirements of public bidding impractical to observe, then by negotiations or sealed bids, and in both cases, the accredited parties shall be duly notified;

(15) Prescribe the use or adoption of the latest technological and electronic devices, taking into account the situation prevailing in the area and funds available for the purpose. The Commission shall notify the authorized representatives of accredited political parties and candidates in areas affected by the use or adoption of technological and electronic devices not less than thirty days prior to the effectivity of the use of such devices;

(16) Constitute a pool of standby-teachers from which substitutes shall be drawn in case a member/s of the Board of Election Inspectors who, for one reason or another, failed to report or refused to act as such on the day of election.

(17) Carry out a continuing and systematic campaign through newspapers of general circulation, radio and other media forms to educate the public and fully inform the electorate about election laws, procedures, decisions, and other matters relative to the works and duties of the Commission and the necessity of clean, free, orderly, honest, peaceful and credible electoral processes;

(18) Accredit non-partisan groups or organizations of citizens from the civic, youth, professional, education, business or labor sectors known for their probity, impartiality and integrity with the membership and capability to undertake a coordinated operation and activity to assist it in the implementation of the provisions of Omnibus Election Code and the resolutions, orders and instructions of the Commission for purpose of ensuring free, orderly, honest, peaceful and credible elections in any constituency. Such groups or organization shall functions under the direct and immediate control and supervision of the Commission;

(19) Conduct hearings on controversies pending before it in the cities or provinces upon proper motion of any party, taking into consideration the materiality and number of witnesses to be presented, the situation prevailing in the area and the fund available for the purpose;

(20) Have exclusive jurisdiction over all pre-proclamation controversies. It may motu proprio or upon written petition, and after due notice and hearing, order the partial or total suspension of the proclamation of any candidate-elect or annul partially or totally any proclamation, if one has been made, as the evidence shall warrant. Notwithstanding the pendency of any preproclamation controversy, the Commission may, motu propio or upon filing of a verified petition and after due notice and hearing, order the proclamation of other winning candidates whose election will not be affected by the outcome of the controversy.

(21) Have the exclusive power, through its duly authorized legal officers, to conduct preliminary investigation of all election offenses punishable under the Omnibus Election Code and to prosecute the same. The Commission may avail itself of the assistance of other prosecuting arms of the government: Provided, however, that in the event that the Commission fails to act on any complaint within four (4) months from its filing, the complainant may file the complaint with the office of the fiscal or with the Department of Justice for proper investigation and prosecution, if warranted; and

(22) Perform such other functions as may be provided by law.

1. To stop any illegal activity, or confiscate, tear down, and stop any unlawful, libelous, misleading or false election propaganda, after due notice and hearing; and

2. To inquire into the financial records of candidates and any organization or group of persons, motu propio or upon written representation for probable cause by any candidate, organization or group of persons or qualified voter, after due notice and hearing.

(1) Execute and administer the policies, decisions, orders and resolutions approved by the Commission;

(2) Direct and supervise the operations and internal administration of the Commission;

(3) Sign appointments of subordinate officials and employees made by the Commission and enforce decisions on administrative discipline involving them;

(4) Make temporary assignments, rotate and transfer personnel in accordance with the provisions of the civil service law;

(5) Submit an annual budget to the Commission for its approval;

(6) Delegate his authority, in whole or in part, to other officials of the Commission, in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Commission; and

(7) Perform such other duties as may be authorized by the Commission.

(1) Advise and assist the Chairman in the formulation and implementation of the objectives, policies, plans and programs of the Commission;

(2) Serve as the principal assistant of the Chairman in the overall supervision of the administrative business of the Commission;

(3) Oversee all the operational activities of the Commission;

(4) Coordinate the programs and projects of the Commission and be responsible for its economical, efficient and effective administration;

(5) Serve as deputy to the Chairman in all matters relating to the operational activities of the Commission;

(6) Administer oaths in connection with all matters relating to the business of the Commission; and

(7) Perform such other duties as may be assigned by the Chairman.

(1) Regional Election Office, headed by the Regional Election Director and assisted by the Assistant Regional Director and such other subordinate officers or employees as the Commission may appoint;

(2) Provincial Election Office, headed by the Provincial Election Supervisor and assisted by such other subordinate officers or employees as the Commission may appoint;

(3) City Municipal Election Office, headed by the City/Municipal Election Registrar who shall be assisted by an election clerk and such other employees as the Commission may appoint.

The Commission may delegate its powers and functions or order the implementation or enforcement of its orders, rulings or decisions through the heads of its field offices.

(1) Investigate, on its own or on complaint by any party, all forms of human rights violations involving civil and political rights;

(2) Adopt its operational guidelines and rules of procedure, and cite for contempt violations thereof in accordance with the Rules of Court;

(3) Provide appropriate legal measures for the protection of human rights of all persons within the Philippines, as well as Filipinos residing abroad, and provide for preventive measures and legal aid services to the under-privileged whose human rights have been violated or need protection;

(4) Exercise visitorial powers over jails prisons, or detention facilities;

(5) Establish a continuing program of research, education and information to enhance respect for the primacy of human rights;

(6) Recommend to the Congress effective measures to promote human rights and to provide for compensation to victims of violations of human rights, or their families;

(7) Monitor the Philippine Government's compliance with international treaty obligations on human rights;

(8) Grant immunity from prosecution to any person whose testimony or whose possession of documents or other evidence is necessary or convenient to determine the truth in any investigation conducted by it or under its authority;

(9) Request the assistance of any department, bureau, office, or agency in the performance of its functions;

(10) Appoint its officers and employees in accordance with law; and

(11) Perform such other duties and functions as may be provided by law.

(1) The Office of the Ombudsman shall be headed by the Ombudsman, to be known as the Tanod-bayan, who shall be assisted by one overall Deputy and at least by one Deputy each for Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. A separate Deputy for the military establishment may likewise be appointed.

(2) It shall have such other officials and employees, to be appointed by the Ombudsman according to the Civil Service Law.

(1) Investigate on its own, or on complaint by any person, any act or omission of any public official, employee, office or agency, when such act or omission appears to be illegal, unjust, improper, or inefficient;

(2) Direct, upon complaint or at its own instance, any public official or employee of the Government, or any subdivision, agency or instrumentality thereof, as well as of any government-owned or controlled corporation with original charter, to perform and expedite any act or duty required by law, or to stop, prevent, and correct any abuse or impropriety in the performance of duties;

(3) Direct the officer concerned to take appropriate action against a public official or employee at fault, and recommend his removal, suspension, demotion, fine, censure, or prosecution, and ensure compliance therewith;

(4) Direct the officer concerned, in any appropriate case, and subject to such limitations as may be provided by law, to furnish it with copies of documents relating to contracts or transactions entered into by his office involving the disbursement or use of public funds or properties, and report any irregularity to the Commission on Audit for appropriate action;

(5) Request any government agency for assistance and information necessary in the discharge of its responsibilities, and to examine, if necessary, pertinent records and documents;

(6) Publicize matters covered by its investigation when circumstances so warrant and with due prudence;

(7) Determine the causes of inefficiency; red tape, mismanagement, fraud, and corruption in the Government and make recommendations for their elimination and the observance of high standards of ethics and efficiency;

(8) Promulgate its rules of procedure and exercise such other powers or perform such functions or duties as may be provided by law.

(1) The State aims to achieve objectives of growth coupled with equity;

(2) Development leading to the attainment of the above mentioned goals is a multi-faceted process that calls for the coordination and integration of policies, plans, programs and projects of all sectors of society;

(3) In the formulation of basic policies, plans, programs and projects, there shall be maximum participation by and consultation with concerned private sector groups, community organizations and beneficiaries and local government units in order to ensure that priority needs are incorporated into such policies, plans, programs and projects;

(4) National plans shall be in fact the sum of nationally and regionally identified targets and strategies and locally formulated approaches to perceived local needs and priorities, carried out within the framework of national strategies;

(5) Major socio-economic policies, plans, programs and projects of different government agencies must be properly coordinated with the Authority at both the national and regional levels prior to their adoption, in order to ensure their consistency with established national priorities and coordination with other policies, plans, programs and projects of the government; and

(6) The linkage between development planning, programming and budgeting shall be of the highest priority in planning and budgeting activities.

(1) Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) - The DBCC, to be composed of the Director-General of the National Economic Development Authority Secretariat, the Executive Secretary and the Secretaries of Finance and of Budget and Management, shall have the following functions:

(2) Investment Coordination Committee (ICC) - The ICC to be composed of the Director-General of the National Economic Development Authority Secretariat, the Executive Secretary, the Secretaries of Finance, Agriculture, Trade and Industry and of Budget and Management and the Governor of the Central Bank shall have the following functions:

(3) Committee on Social Development (SDC) - The SDC to be composed of the Director-General of the National Economic Development Authority Secretariat, the Executive Secretary, and the Secretaries of Education, Culture and Sports, Labor and Employment, Health, Local Government, Agrarian Reform, Agriculture and Social Welfare and Development shall have the following functions:

(4) Committee on Infrastructure (INFRACOM) - the INFRACOM to be composed of the Director-General of the National Economic Development Authority Secretariat, the Executive Secretary, and the Secretaries of Public Works and Highways, Transportation and Communications, Finance, and Budget and Management shall have the following functions:

(5) Committee on Tariff and Related Matters (TRM) - The TRM to be composed of the Director-General of the National Economic Development Authority Secretariat, the Executive Secretary, the Secretaries of Trade and Industry, Foreign Affairs, Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources and Budget and Management, the Government of the Central Bank and the Chairman of the Tariff Commission shall have the following functions:

(1) Serve as the research and technical support arm of the NEDA Board;

(2) Provide through its various organizational units, technical staff support and assistance, including the conduct of studies and development of policy measures and other recommendations, on the various aspects of the substantive functions of development planning and policy formulation, and coordination, evaluation and monitoring of plan implementation;

(3) Serve as the Secretariat of the NEDA Board; and

(4) Perform such other functions as may be assigned to it by the NEDA Board to achieve its goals and objectives.

(1) National Planning and Policy Staff;

(2) Agriculture Staff;

(3) Trade, Industry and Utilities Staff;

(4) Infrastructure Staff;

(5) Social Development Staff; and

(6) Public Investment Staff.

(1) Regional Development Coordination Staff;

(2) Project Monitoring Staff; and

(3) Regional Offices.

(1) Management Staff;

(2) Legal Staff;

(3) Administrative Staff;

(4) Management Information System Staff; and

(5) Development Information Staff.

(1) Philippine Institute for Development Studies:

(2) Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency; and

(3) Tariff Commission.

The Authority shall arrange for the transfer of the functions of the following agencies to the Regional Development Councils concerned or other agencies as may be appropriate:

(1) All appropriations, revenue or tariff bills, bills authorizing increase of the public debt, bills of local application, and private bills shall originate exclusively in the House of Representatives but the Senate may propose or concur with amendments.

(2) The Congress may not increase the appropriations recommended by the President for the operation of the Government as specified in the budget. The form, content and manner of preparation of the budget shall be prescribed by law.

(3) No provision or enactment shall be embraced in the general appropriations bill unless it relates specifically to some particular appropriation to which it relates.

(4) The procedures in approving appropriations for the Congress shall strictly follow the procedure for approving appropriations for other departments and agencies.

(5) A special appropriations bill shall specify the purpose for which it is intended, and shall be supported by funds actually available as certified by the National Treasurer or to be raised by a corresponding revenue proposal therein.

(6) No law shall be passed authorizing any transfer of appropriations. However, the President, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and the heads of Constitutional Commissions may, by law, be authorized to augment any item in the general appropriations laws for their respective offices from savings in other items of their respective appropriations.

(7) Discretionary funds appropriated for particular official shall be disbursed only for public purposes to be supported by appropriate vouchers and subject to such guidelines as may be prescribed by law.

(8) If, by the end of any fiscal year, the Congress shall have failed to pass the general appropriations bill for the ensuing fiscal year, the general appropriations law for the preceding fiscal year shall be deemed reenacted and shall remain in force and effect until the general appropriations bill is passed by the Congress.

(9) Fiscal autonomy shall be enjoyed by the Judiciary, Constitutional Commissions, Office of the Ombudsman, Local Government and Commission on Human Rights.

(1) "Appropriation" refers to an authorization made by law or other legislative enactment, directing payment out of government funds under specified conditions or for specified purposes.

(2) "Allotment" refers to an authorization issued by the Department of the Budget to an agency, which allows it to incur obligation for specified amounts contained in a legislative appropriation.

(3) "Budget" refers to a financial plan required to be prepared pursuant to Section 16 (1) , Article VIII of the Constitution, reflective of national objectives, strategies and programs.

(4) "Current operating expenditures" refers to appropriations for the purchase of goods and services for current consumption or for benefits expected to terminate within the fiscal year.

(5) "Capital outlay" or "capital expenditures" refers to an appropriation for the purchase of goods and services, the benefits of which extend beyond the fiscal year and which add to the assets of the Government, including investments in the capital of government-owned or controlled corporations and their subsidiaries.

(6) "Continuing appropriation" refers to an appropriation available to support obligations for a specified purpose or project, even when these obligations are incurred beyond the budget year.

(7) "Expected result" means service, product, or benefit that will accrue to the public, estimated in terms of performance measures or targets.

(8) "Fiscal year" refers to the period beginning with the first day of January and ending with the thirty-first day of December of each calendar year.

(9) The "Government" means the National Government, including the Executive, the Legislative and the Judicial Branches, and the Constitutional Commissions.

(10) "Department and agency" and "department or agency" include all departments, bureaus, offices, boards, commissions, courts, tribunals, councils, authorities, administrations, centers, institutes, state colleges and universities, and all other establishments and instrumentalities of the National Government as defined in the preceding paragraph.

(11) "Obligation" refers to an amount committed to be paid by the Government for any lawful act made by an authorized officer for and in behalf of the Government.

(12) "Program" refers to the functions and activities necessary for the performance of a major purpose for which a government agency is established.

(13) "Project" means a component of a program covering a homogenous group of activities that results in the accomplishment of an identifiable output.

(1) A budget message setting forth in brief the government's budgetary thrusts for the budget year, including their impact on development goals, monetary and fiscal objectives, and generally on the implications of the revenue, expenditure and debt-proposals; and

(2) Summary financial statements setting forth:

(1) Objectives, functions, activities, programs and projects showing the general character and relative importance of the work to be accomplished or the services to be rendered, and the principal elements of cost involved;

(2) Linkage of the work and financial proposals to approved development plans;

(3) Estimated current operating expenditures and capital outlays, with comparative data for the preceding and current budget years;

(4) Identification by region, pursuant to policies on the regionalization of government operations;

(5) Financial sources, reflecting all revenues, proceeds of foreign and domestic borrowings, and other sources, particularly those which accrue to the General Funds;

(6) Contingent liabilities, including national government guarantees of obligations of government-owned or controlled corporations and their subsidiaries;

(7) Brief description of the major thrusts and priority programs and projects for the budget year, results expected for each budgetary program and project, the nature of work to be performed, estimated costs per unit of work measurement, including the various objects of expenditure for each project;

(8) Organization charts and staffing patterns indicating the list of existing and proposed positions with corresponding salaries, and proposals for position classification and salary changes, duly supported by adequate justification.

(1) Appropriations authorized for any Department or agency of the Government may be made available for expenditure when the head of each Department or agency submits to the Secretary a request for allotment of funds showing the estimated amounts needed for each function, activity or purpose for which the funds are to be expended during the applicable allotment period. The form and the time of submission of the request for allotment showing the proposed quarterly allotments of the whole authorized appropriation for the department or agency, shall be prescribed by the Secretary.

(2) In the administration of the allotment system herein provided, each calendar year shall be divided into four quarterly allotment periods beginning, respectively, on the first day of January, April, July and October. In any case where the quarterly allotment period is found to be impractical or otherwise undesirable, the Secretary may prescribe a different period suited to the circumstances.

(3) Request for allotment shall be approved by the Secretary who shall ensure that expenditures are covered by appropriations both as to amount and purpose and who shall consider the probable needs of the department or agency for the remainder of the fiscal year or period for which the appropriation was made.

(4) At the end of every quarter, each department or agency shall report to the Secretary the current status of its appropriations, the cumulative allotments, obligations incurred or liquidated, total disbursements, unliquidated obligations and unexpended balances and the results of expended appropriations.

(5) Releases of funds appropriated for a given agency may be made to its regional offices if dictated by the need and urgency of regional activities.

(6) The Secretary shall have authority to modify or amend any allotment previously issued. In case he shall find at any time that the probable receipts from taxes or other sources of any fund will be less than anticipated and that as a consequence the amount available for the remainder of the term of the appropriations or for any allotment period will be less than the amount estimated or allotted therefor, he shall, with the approval of the President and after notice to the department or agency concerned, reduce the amount or amounts allotted so as to conform to the targeted budgetary goals.

(7) The Secretary shall maintain a control record showing quarterly by funds, accounts, and other suitable classifications, the amounts appropriated; the estimated revenues, the actual revenues or receipts, the amounts allotted and available for expenditures, the unliquidated obligations, actual balances on hand, and the unencumbered balance of the allotments for each department or agency of the Government.

(1) Claims of officials, employees and laborers who died or were injured in line of duty, including burial expenses as authorized under existing law;

(2) Commutation of terminal leaves of employees due to retirement, resignation or separation from the service through no fault of their own in accordance with the provisions of existing law, including unpaid claims for commutation of maternity leave of absence;

(3) Payment of retirement gratuities or separation pay of employees separated from the service due to government reorganization;

(4) Payment of salaries of employees who have been suspended or dismissed as a result of administrative or disciplinary action, or separated from the service through no fault of their own and who have been subsequently exonerated and reinstated by virtue of decisions of competent authority;

(5) Cash awards to deserving officials and employees in accordance with civil service law;

(6) Salary adjustments of officials and employees as a result of classification action under, and implementation of, the provisions of the Compensation and Position Classification Act, including positions embraced under the Career Executive Service;

(7) Peso support to any undertaking that may be entered into by the government with international organizations, including administrative and other incidental expenses;

(8) Covering any deficiency in peso counterpart fund commitments for foreign assisted projects, as may be approved by the President;

(9) Priority activities that will promote the economic well being of the nation, including food production, agrarian reform, energy development, disaster relief, and rehabilitation.

(10) Repair, improvement and renovation of government buildings and infrastructure and other capital assets damaged by natural calamities;

(11) Expenses in connection with official participation in trade fairs, civic parades, celebrations, athletic competitions and cultural activities, and payment of expenses for the celebration of regular or special official holidays;

(12) Payment of obligations of the government or any of its departments or agencies as a result of final judgment of the Courts; and

(13) Payment of valid prior year's obligations of government agencies with any other government office or agency, including government-owned or controlled corporations.

(1) Marine officers, engineers and crew of government vessels, launches, and motorboats, who shall take their meals on the mess when aboard the said vessels, launches, or motorboats;

(2) Lightkeepers and other employees in light stations duly authorized by the head of the department to receive subsistence, who shall be furnished raw canned, or preserved food supplies;

(3) Officials and employees who are required to render service within the premises of hospitals, penal institutions, leper institutions, military installations, and other similar institutions, for a continuous period that includes meal time, may be allowed full subsistence when required to live in said premises to make their services available at any and all times;

(4) Laborers temporarily fielded to isolated or unsettled districts shall be furnished the usual rations or the equivalent in cash, at the expense of the government.

In hospitals and leper institutions where there are no mess halls or whenever these are inadequate, personnel entitled to subsistence allowance in kind may commute such subsistence upon request of the personnel concerned subject to the approval of the department head at authorized rates chargeable against the appropriations for supplies and materials authorized in the General Appropriations Act.

(1) "Agency" includes any department, bureau, office, commission, authority or officer of the National Government authorized by law or executive order to make rules, issue licenses, grant rights or privileges, and adjudicate cases; research institutions with respect to licensing functions; government corporations with respect to functions regulating private right, privileges, occupation or business; and officials in the exercise of disciplinary power as provided by law.

(2) "Rule" means any agency statement of general applicability that implements or interprets a law, fixes and describes the procedures in, or practice requirements of, an agency, including its regulations. The term includes memoranda or statements concerning the internal administration or management of an agency not affecting the rights of, or procedure available to, the public.

(3) "Rate" means any charge to the public for a service open to all and upon the same terms, including individual or joint rates, tolls, classifications, or schedules thereof, as well as commutation, mileage, kilometerage and other special rates which shall be imposed by law or regulation to be observed and followed by any person.

(4) "Rule making" means an agency process for the formulation, amendment, or repeal of a rule.

(5) "Contested case" means any proceeding, including licensing, in which the legal rights, duties or privileges asserted by specific parties as required by the Constitution or by law are to be determined after hearing.

(6) "Person" includes an individual, partnership, corporation, association, public or private organization of any character other than an agency.

(7) "Party" includes a person or agency named or admitted as a party, or properly seeking and entitled as of right to be admitted as a party, in any agency proceeding; but nothing herein shall be construed to prevent an agency from admitting any person or agency as a party for limited purposes.

(8) "Decision" means the whole or any part of the final disposition, not of an interlocutory character, whether affirmative, negative, or injunctive in form, of an agency in any matter, including licensing, rate fixing and granting of rights and privileges.

(9) "Adjudication" means an agency process for the formulation of a final order.

(10) "License" includes the whole or any part of any agency permit, certificate, passport, clearance, approval, registration, charter, membership, statutory exemption or other form of permission, or regulation of the exercise of a right or privilege.

(11) "Licensing" includes agency process involving the grant, renewal, denial, revocation, suspension, annulment, withdrawal, limitation, amendment, modification or conditioning of a license.

(12) "Sanction" includes the whole or part of a prohibition, limitation or other condition affecting the liberty of any person; the withholding of relief; the imposition of penalty or fine; the destruction, taking, seizure or withholding of property; the assessment of damages, reimbursement, restitution, compensation, cost, charges or fees; the revocation or suspension of license; or the taking of other compulsory or restrictive action.

(13) "Relief" includes the whole or part of any grant of money, assistance, license, authority, privilege, exemption, exception, or remedy; recognition of any claim, right, immunity, privilege, exemption or exception; or taking of any action upon the application or petition of any person.

(14) "Agency proceeding" means any agency process with respect to rule-making, adjudication and licensing.

(1) Every agency shall file with the University of the Philippines Law Center three (3) certified copies of every rule adopted by it. Rules in force on the date of effectivity of this Code which are not filed within three (3) months from that date shall not thereafter be the basis of any sanction against any party or persons.

(2) The records officer of the agency, or his equivalent functionary, shall carry out the requirements of this section under pain of disciplinary action.

(3) A permanent register of all rules shall be kept by the issuing agency and shall be open to public inspection.

(1) Publish a quarter bulletin setting forth the text of rules filed with it during the preceding quarter; and

(2) Keep an up-to-date codification of all rules thus published and remaining in effect, together with a complete index and appropriate tables.

(1) The University of the Philippines Law Center may omit from the bulletin or the codification any rule if its publication would be unduly cumbersome, expensive or otherwise inexpedient, but copies of that rule shall be made available on application to the agency which adopted it, and the bulletin shall contain a notice stating the general subject matter of the omitted rule and new copies thereof may be obtained.

(2) Every rule establishing an offense or defining an act which, pursuant to law, is punishable as a crime or subject to a penalty shall in all cases be published in full text.

(1) If not otherwise required by law, an agency shall, as far as practicable, publish or circulate notices of proposed rules and afford interested parties the opportunity to submit their views prior to the adoption of any rule.

(2) In the fixing of rates, no rule or final order shall be valid unless the proposed rates shall have been published in a newspaper of general circulation at least two (2) weeks before the first hearing thereon.

(3) In case of opposition, the rules on contested cases shall be observed.

(1) In any contested case all parties shall be entitled to notice and hearing. The notice shall be served at least five (5) days before the date of the hearing and shall state the date, time and place of the hearing.

(2) The parties shall be given opportunity to present evidence and argument on all issues. If not precluded by law, informal disposition may be made of any contested case by stipulation, agreed settlement or default.

(3) The agency shall keep an official record of its proceedings.

(1) The agency may admit and give probative value to evidence commonly accepted by reasonably prudent men in the conduct of their affairs.

(2) Documentary evidence may be received in the form of copies or excerpts, if the original is not readily available. Upon request, the parties shall be given opportunity to compare the copy with the original. If the original is in the official custody of a public officer, a certified copy thereof may be accepted.

(3) Every party shall have the right to cross-examine witnesses presented against him and to submit rebuttal evidence.

(4) The agency may take notice of judicially cognizable facts and of generally cognizable technical or scientific facts within its specialized knowledge. The parties shall be notified and afforded an opportunity to contest the facts so noticed.

(1) Every agency shall publish and make available for public inspection all decisions or final orders in the adjudication of contested cases.

(2) It shall be the duty of the records officer of the agency or his equivalent functionary to prepare a register or compilation of those decisions or final orders for use by the public.

(1) When the grant, renewal, denial or cancellation of a license is required to be preceded by notice and hearing, the provisions concerning contested cases shall apply insofar as practicable.

(2) Except in cases of willful violation of pertinent laws, rules and regulations or when public security, health, or safety require otherwise, no license may be withdrawn, suspended, revoked or annulled without notice and hearing.

(1) Administrative appeals under this Chapter shall be perfected within fifteen (15) days after receipt of a copy of the decision complained of by the party adversely affected, by filing with the agency which adjudicated the case a notice of appeal, serving copies thereof upon the prevailing party and the appellate agency, and paying the required fees.

(2) If a motion for reconsideration is denied, the movant shall have the right to perfect his appeal during the remainder of the period for appeal, reckoned from receipt of the resolution of denial. If the decision is reversed on reconsideration, the aggrieved party shall have fifteen (15) days from receipt of the resolution of reversal within which to perfect his appeal.

(3) The agency shall, upon perfection of the appeal, transmit the records of the case to the appellate agency.

(1) Each agency shall have such number of qualified and competent members of the base as hearing officers as may be necessary for the hearing and adjudication of contested cases.

(2) No hearing officer shall engaged in the performance of prosecuting functions in any contested case or any factually related case.

(1) Agency decisions shall be subject to judicial review in accordance with this chapter and applicable laws.

(2) Any party aggrieved or adversely affected by an agency decision may seek judicial review.

(3) The action for judicial review may be brought against the agency, or its officers, and all indispensable and necessary parties as defined in the Rules of Court.

(4) Appeal from an agency decision shall be perfected by filing with the agency within fifteen (15) days from receipt of a copy thereof a notice of appeal, and with the reviewing court a petition for review of the order. Copies of the petition shall be served upon the agency and all parties of record. The petition shall contain a concise statement of the issues involved and the grounds relied upon for the review, and shall be accompanied with a true copy of the order appealed from, together with copies of such material portions of the records as are referred to therein and other supporting papers. The petition shall be under oath and shall how, by stating the specific material dates, that it was filed within the period fixed in this chapter.

(5) The petition for review shall be perfected within fifteen (15) days from receipt of the final administrative decision. One (1) motion for reconsideration may be allowed. If the motion is denied, the movant shall perfect his appeal during the remaining period for appeal reckoned from receipt of the resolution of denial. If the decision is reversed on reconsideration, the appellant shall have fifteen (15) days from receipt of the resolution to perfect his appeal.

(6) The review proceeding shall be filed in the court specified by statute or, in the absence thereof, in any court of competent jurisdiction in accordance with the provisions on venue of the Rules of Court.

(7) Review shall be made on the basis of the record taken as a whole. The findings of fact of the agency when supported by substantial evidence shall be final except when specifically provided otherwise by law.