Providing for the Functions of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas

November 8, 2016

MEMORANDUM ORDER NO. 8

PROVIDING FOR THE FUNCTIONS OF THE PRESIDENTIAL ASSISTANT FOR THE VISAYAS

WHEREAS,it is the policy of the State to provide a more responsive and accountable local government structure instituted through a system of decentralization;

WHEREAS, Republic Act No. 7160, as amended, or the Local Government Code of 1991, states that the realization of local autonomy shall be facilitated through improved coordination of national government policies and programs and extension of adequate technical and material assistance to less developed and deserving local government units;

WHEREAS,in order to promote and accelerate the socio-economic development of the Visayas and to ensure the efficient administration of national government policies and programs therein, the President appointed a Presidential Assistant for the Visayas with the rank of Undersecretary;

WHEREAS,there is a need to specify the functions of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas;

WHEREAS, under Executive Order No. 292 (s. 1987) or the Administrative Code of 1987, the President has the continuing authority to reorganize the administrative structure of the Office of the President.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, RODRIGO ROA DUTERTE,President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby order:

SECTION 1. The Presidential Assistant for the Visayas shall have the following functions:

(a) Pursue matters and issues in the Visayas that are submitted to the Office of the President (OP);

(b) Monitor programs, projects and developments in the aforementioned area, which are deemed critical to the OP;

(c) Provide assistance to local government units (LGUs) for matters requiring the attention of the OP and other national government agencies;

(d) Report regularly to the OP on the status of development programs and projects, and make recommendations on any action that should be taken by the National Government to accelerate development efforts in his area of responsibility; HcSaAD

(e) Coordinate Presidential visits, consultations and other activities of the President in his area of responsibility with the Presidential Management Staff (PMS) and other concerned units in the OP; and

(f) Perform such other functions and duties as the President and/or the Executive Secretary may assign from time to time.

SECTION 2. All departments, bureaus, offices, agencies, or instrumentalities of the government, including Government-Owned or Controlled Corporations (GOCCs) and Government Financial Institutions (GFI),are hereby directed to render full assistance and cooperation to the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas as may be required to carry out his functions pursuant to this Order. LGUs are also encouraged to give assistance to the Presidential Assistant as the circumstances may require.

SECTION 3. This Memorandum Order shall take effect immediately.

DONE in the City of Manila, this 8th day of November, in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Sixteen.