Rationalizing the Office of North Luzon Growth Quadrangle Area and Defining its Powers, Functions and Responsibilities

September 24, 2003

EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 239

RATIONALIZING THE OFFICE OF NORTH LUZON GROWTH QUADRANGLE AREA AND DEFINING ITS POWERS, FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

WHEREAS, the Local Government Code provides for inter-LGU collaboration wherein "local government units may group themselves, consolidate, or coordinate their efforts, services and resources for purposes commonly beneficial to them;" DEcTCa

WHEREAS, the North Luzon Growth Quadrangle Area is an integrated region, composed of Region I, Region II and the Cordillera Administrative Region, established to stimulate trade, investment and tourism activities, generate jobs, expand businesses, and create export markets for local produce, thereby reducing the incidence of poverty in said regions;

WHEREAS, the North Luzon Growth Quadrangle Area should be efficiently administered in line with the national government's goal of achieving a Strong Republic through effective governance, vigorous free enterprise economy, true and vigorous democratic representation, and a vibrant civil society;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby order:

SECTION 1. Creation of the Office of North Luzon Growth Quadrangle Area. — The Office of North Luzon Growth Quadrangle Area (ONL-GQA) is hereby created to facilitate the integrated development of Region I, Region II and the Cordillera Administrative Region. The ONL-GQA shall oversee the promotion of the socio-cultural development of the Ilocanos and other Filipino workers within and outside the North Luzon Growth Quadrangle Area, as well as promote trans-border economic cooperation with neighboring advanced economies and cause the inter-regional economic growth of North Luzon communities.

SECTION 2. Presidential Adviser for North Luzon Growth Quadrangle Area. — The President shall appoint a Presidential Adviser with the rank of Cabinet Secretary to head the Office of North Luzon Growth Quadrangle Area. The Presidential Adviser shall report directly to the President and shall assist the President in mobilizing local support, national leadership assistance, and international cooperation in developing North Luzon.

SECTION 3. Functions and Responsibilities of the Office of North Luzon Growth Quadrangle Area. — The Office of North Luzon Growth Quadrangle Area (ONL-GQA) shall have the following functions and responsibilities:

a) Monitor the proper coordination of the development goals, policies and programs formulated for the North Luzon Growth Quadrangle Area with the overall national goals, policies and programs;

b) Promote investments in the North Luzon Growth Quadrangle Area;

c) Mobilize the participation of the local and national government agencies, as well as non-government organizations and private sector groups;

d) Undertake trade and investment missions in pursuance of transborder relations and conduct liaison with associations of Ilocanos abroad;

e) Maintain linkages with central government offices and the official development assistance community;

f) Monitor and conduct periodic review of the plans, programs and projects for the North Luzon Growth Quadrangle Area;

g) Address matters concerning Ilocano and other indigenous peoples affairs and issues relative to the pursuit of the goals and objectives of the North Luzon Growth Quadrangle Area;

h) Recommend the annual budget and program of work of the Program Management Office — North Luzon Growth Quadrangle Area (PMO-NLGQA); and

i) Call on any agency for any assistance and support on matters relative to its plans, programs and projects.

SECTION 4. Secretariat Support for the Office of North Luzon Growth Quadrangle Area. — The Program Management Office of the North Luzon Growth Commission (PMO-NLGC) created under Executive Order No. 114 dated June 28, 1999 shall act as secretariat to provide administrative and technical support.

SECTION 5. Effectivity. — This Executive Order shall take effect immediately.

City of Manila, September 24, 2003.