Amending Executive Order No. 241 by Expanding the Powers and Functions and Membership of the National Steering Committee of the Family Week

September 22, 2003

EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 238

AMENDING EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 241 BY EXPANDING THE POWERS AND FUNCTIONS AND MEMBERSHIP OF THE NATIONAL STEERING COMMITTEE OF THE FAMILY WEEK

WHEREAS, Section 12 Article II, of the Constitution of the Philippines provides that, "The state recognizes the sanctity of family life and shall protect and strengthen the family as a basic autonomous social institutions; DHSaCA

WHEREAS, Section I Article XV, of the same Constitution provides that, "The state recognizes the Filipino Family as the foundation of the nation";

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the government to foster solidarity in the family and actively work for its development;

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the State to encourage non-governmental and sectoral organizations to promote the welfare of the Filipino Family;

WHEREAS, while there exist a National Steering Committee overseeing the proper observance of Family Week every last week of September in accordance with Executive Order No. 241 dated June 9, 1995, implementing Presidential Proclamation No. 60 dated September 28, 1992, there is a need to expand its powers and functions to ensure that all programs and activities on the family, including among others the proper observance of the forthcoming Anniversary of the International Year of the Family in 2004, shall be effectively implemented;

WHEREAS, there is a need to expand the membership of the National Steering Committee of the Family Week in order that there will be more effective and sustained planning, coordination and promotion of programs and activities that would increase awareness of the importance of the Family and ensure active participation and implementation from both the public and private sectors.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby order the amendment of Executive Order No. 241 dated June 9, 1995 by expanding the powers and functions of the National Steering Committee of the Family Week to be henceforth known as the National Committee on the Filipino Family and increasing the membership therewith.

SECTION 1. Purposes of the National Steering Committee on the Filipino Family. — The National Steering Committee on the Filipino Family shall promote the family as the foundation of the nation, its basic social institution, as well as the protection of marriage as the foundation of the family. If shall likewise provide opportunities for partnership with private sector particularly civic and religious, marriage and family organizations, educational institutions and media groups in promoting the goals and objectives of the Council.

SECTION 2. Powers and Functions. — The National Steering Committee on the Filipino Family shall have the following powers and functions:

2.1 To formulate policies, plan and promote strategies for an effective national program on the family;

2.2 To draw up a mechanism between and among the various national department and local government units, and the private sector particularly civic and religious, marriage and family organizations, educational institutions and media groups for the mobilization, coordination, monitoring and evaluation of effective family life programs;

2.3 To conduct studies, researches and cause the publication of articles and books on marriage family;

2.4 To encourage opportunities for training on human relations development among groups and individual engaged in family life programs;

2.5 To set up and administer a national family development fund for its programs and projects;

2.6 To plan, coordinate and evaluate the yearly celebration of the National Family Week (Amends E.O. No. 241 and PP No. 60) the National Family Thanksgiving Day (PP No. 847), the National Mother's Day, the National Father's Day, the National Grandparents Day, the International Year of the Family, and such other celebration for the family;

2.7 To ensure the institutionalization of Family Week and Family Thanksgiving Day through the participation of all concerned;

2.8 To network with all concerned government agencies and non-government organizations in the effective discharge of its functions;

2.9 To perform such powers and functions as necessary to carry out the provisions of this Executive Order.

SECTION 3. Composition. — The National Steering Committee on the Filipino Family shall be chaired by the Secretary of Social Welfare and Development of his/her designated Undersecretary and a Vice-Chairperson who shall be elected from among the non-governmental organizations, civic and religious, marriage and family organizations, educational institutions and media groups represented and shall be composed of the following government agencies and private sector entities.

3.1 Government Agencies

3.1.1 Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)

3.1.2 Department of Education (DepEd)

3.1.3 Department of Health (DOH)

3.1.4 Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)

3.1.5 Commission on Higher Education (CHED)

3.1.6 National Youth Commission (NYC)

3.1.7 National Commission on the Role of Filipino Women (NCRFW) EASIHa

3.1.8 National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP)

3.1.9 Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC)

3.1.10 Presidential Management Staff (PMS)

3.1.11 Office of the Presidential Adviser for Special Concerns (OPASC)

3.1.12 Office of the Muslim Affairs (OMA)

3.1.13 Philippine Information Agency (PIA)

3.1.14 Senate Committee on Youth Women and Family

3.1.15 House Committee on Population and Family Relations

3.2 Non-Government Entities

3.2.1 CBCP Episcopal Commission on the Family and Life (ECFL)

3.2.2 The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint;

3.2.3 Iglesia ni Cristo

3.2.4 National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP)

3.2.5 Kaisahang Buhay Foundation (KBF)

3.2.6 Marriage Enhancement and Teams Services Foundation (METS Foundation)

3.2.7 NORFIL Foundation

3.2.8 National Council of Social Development Foundation, Inc. (NSCD)

3.2.9 Family Life Institute Family Network

3.2.10 Pro-Life Philippines Foundation

The National Steering Committee on the Filipino Family as the need arises may invite government agencies and non-government organizations not mentioned above as additional members of the National Committee on the Filipino Family.

SECTION 4. Funding. — The necessary amount to be incurred in connection with the implementation of this Order shall be primarily funded under the budget of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and secondarily shared by the government departments and agencies concerned, charged against their respective regular budgets. And, therefore, funds for the operation of the activities and programs, shall be included in the General Appropriations Act. Further, the National Steering Committee on the Filipino Family may engage in resource generation/mobilization activities as may be allowed by law to ensure the success and continued operation of the National Steering Committee on the Filipino Family and its programs and projects.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the Republic of the Philippines to be affixed.

DONE in the City of Manila, this 22nd day of September, in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Three.