Creating the Inter-Agency Task Force on Federalism and Constitutional Reform

October 31, 2018

MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 52

CREATING THE INTER-AGENCY TASK FORCE ON FEDERALISM AND CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM

WHEREAS, Executive Order No. 10 (s. 2016) created the Consultative Committee tasked to conduct consultations, and review the provisions of the 1987 Constitution including, but not limited to, the structure and powers of government, local governance and economic policies;

WHEREAS, the conduct of a public information drive and advocacy campaign at the grassroots level is necessary to raise public awareness on Federalism and constitutional reform, as well as to ensure widest public participation in the ongoing initiatives to amend or revise the fundamental law of the land;

WHEREAS, constant consultations with all sectors of society is essential in every stage of the process of constitutional reform so that all such efforts towards reform will embody the sovereign will and reflect the ideals and aspirations of our people; and

WHEREAS, Section 17, Article VII of the 1987 Constitution vests in the President the power of control over all executive departments, bureaus and offices;

NOW, THEREFORE, the following are hereby ordered:

SECTION 1. Creation. — There is hereby established an Inter-Agency Task Force on Federalism (IATF) to be composed of the Secretary of the Interior and Local Government or his equivalent as Chairperson; the Secretary of Justice, as Vice-Chairperson; and the heads of the following offices/agencies as members:

(a) Office of the Cabinet Secretary;

(b) Presidential Management Staff;

(c) Presidential Communications Operations Office;

(d) Office of the Presidential Spokesperson;

(e) Presidential Legislative Liaison Office;

(f) Office of the Political Adviser;

(g) Commission on Higher Education;

(h) Development Academy of the Philippines; and

(i) University of the Philippines Law Center.

The members may designate their respective permanent representatives to the IATF with the rank of Undersecretary or Assistant Secretary.

Technical and administrative support services of the IATF shall be sourced from the organic personnel of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), and if necessary, from the other member-agencies of the IATF.

SECTION 2. Functions. — The IATF shall have the primary duty of integrating, harmonizing and coordinating ongoing efforts towards Federalism and constitutional reform. To this end, the IATF shall perform the following functions:

(a) Develop strategies and implement such activities necessary and proper to raise public awareness on Federalism and constitutional reform;

(b) Prepare an Information Dissemination and Public Communication Plan to ensure an effective, efficient and uniform undertaking of advocacy activities;

(c) Undertake consultations with the former members of the Consultative Committee, government agencies, the private sector, and the public in general concerning Federalism and constitutional reform;

(d) Liaise with Congress to initiate the process of and address the roadblocks to constitutional reform; and TIADCc

(e) Perform such other functions as the President may direct.

SECTION 3. Agency Coordination. — All departments, bureaus, offices, agencies, or instrumentalities of the government, including government-owned or -controlled corporations and state universities and colleges, are hereby directed to coordinate with the IATF before conducting any activity involving Federalism and constitutional reform, to render the necessary support to the IATF consistent with their respective mandates, and to participate in the educational programs and orientation seminars on Federalism and constitutional reform that the IATF shall conduct.

SECTION 4. Reportorial Requirement. — The IATF shall submit quarterly reports on its activities and accomplishments to the President.

SECTION 5. Funding Requirement. — The budgetary requirements for the operations of the IATF shall be sourced from appropriate funding sources that the Department of Budget and Management may identify, subject to relevant laws, rules and regulations.

Funding for succeeding years shall be incorporated in the budget proposal of the DILG.

SECTION 6. Effectivity. — This Order shall take effect immediately.

DONE in the City of Manila, this 31st day of October, in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Eighteen.

 

Published in the Official Gazette, Vol. 114, No. 47, p. 7814 on November 19, 2018.