Whereas, the Philippine Government formally adopted the principles of sustainable
development embodied in the Rio Declaration adopted by the United Nations Conference on
Environment and Development (UNCED) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 1992;
Whereas,
on June 28, 1997, the General Assembly of the United Nations passed Resolution No.
A/RES/S-19/2 scheduling the next comprehensive review of progress achieved in the
implementation of Agenda 21 by the General Assembly in the year 2002;
Whereas, on May 4, 2000, the Eighth session of the United Nations Commission on
Sustainable Development (UNCSD) stressed the importance of early and effective
preparations for the 2002 review and assessment of progress achieved in the implementation
of Agenda 21 and further invited all government to undertake national review processes as
early as possible;
Whereas, the PCSD was created by virtue of Executive Order (EO) 15 s. 1992 to
initiate the formulation of Philippine Agenda 21 (PA 21) and was further mandated to
review and ensure the implementation of the commitments made by the Philippines in the
light of the UNCED and PA21 through EO No. 370, s. 1996;
Whereas, the LGUs were directed to formulate and implement sustainable integrated
area development plans and Local Agenda 21 by virtue of Memorandum Order (MO) No. 47, s.
1999.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH EJERCITO ESTRADA, President of the Republic of the
Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby order the following:
Section 1. Preparations for and Participation in the Earth Summit + 10. The PCSD is
hereby directed to make all necessary preparations for the upcoming 10-year review of the
Rio Declaration adopted by the UNCED and effectively participate in the Earth Summit +10.
It shall:
a. review the progress of national
implementation of the UNCED commitments made in 1992,
specifically the implementation of the Action Agenda of PA 21;
b. review the status of national
implementation of all relevant international agreements related to sustainable
development;
c. in all aspects of the review, adopt a
multi-stakeholder consultation process where government, business, labor and civil society
shall participate. National government shall lead the review at the national and regional
levels. Each sector is encouraged to conduct their respective sectoral reviews in
preparation for the national and regional multi-stakeholder review. Local government units
in coordination with the business, labor and civil society are encouraged to lead the
conduct of the review at the community or grassroots level;
d. coordinate the drafting of a report
documenting the results of the review process and a revised Action Agenda for the period
2002-2007 in time for the ten-year review of the UNCED Agreement in 2002;
e. participate, wherever possible, in
preparatory meetings and events leading up to and including the Earth Summit + 10;
f. take the lead in the drafting of a
country statement for the Earth Summit + 10;
g. call on any and all government
agencies, resource persons and other groups, as necessary, in the preparations for and
participation in the Earth Summit + 10 and perform such other acts which are necessary to
carry out its mandated functions and responsibilities.
Section 2. Collaborating Agencies. All
relevant government agencies, departments and instrumentalities are directed to
participate in the review of the PA 21 Action Agenda and the formulation of a revised
Action Agenda consistent with the principles, parameters and strategies of PA21. NEDA, as
Chair of the PCSD, shall coordinate the over-all review process to ensure synergy and
internal consistency. Moreover, as Chair of the Committee on Social and Economic
Dimensions, it shall coordinate the review and revision of the action agenda across
ecosystems. Furthermore, it shall call on the following agencies to lead in specific
aspects of the review process:
a. the Department of Environment and
Natural Resources, as Chair of the PCSD-Committee on the Conservation and Management of
Natural Resources shall take the lead in the review and revision of the action agenda
related to environment and natural resources;
b. the Department of the Interior and
Local Government, as chair of the Committee on Strengthening the Role of Major Groups, to
lead the review of the integration of sustainable development in governance;
c. the Department of Science and
Technology, as chair of the Committee on the Means of Implementation, to lead the review
of the institutional capacities in implementing PA21; and
d. the Philippine Information Agency, to
lead in developing and implementing a Communication and Advocacy Campaign in support of
the Earth Summit +10 process. It shall seek the assistance of such other sectors as civil
society (including mass media and academe) business and labor in advocating public
acceptance of and support for the Earth Summit +10 process, and in disseminating relevant
information to as wide and varied an audience as possible.
Section 3. Role of the Department of
Foreign Affairs. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) shall coordinate with
the PCSD on all matters connected with the Earth Summit + 10 process. It shall facilitate
the conduct of multistakeholder consultative workshops to review the implementation of
international commitments related to sustainable development. It shall also endeavor,
where possible, to include civil society and business representatives endorsed by the PCSD
in official delegations to the United Nations in connection with the Earth Summit + 10
process.
Section 4. Role of Civil Society,
Business and Labor Sectors. The PCSD shall coordinate with civil society,
business and the labor sectors in the review process. The Civil Society Counterpart
Council for Sustainable Development is hereby enjoined to take the lead in coordinating
the participation of civil society sectors in the review process of PA 21, preparation for
and participation in the Earth Summit + 10. Efforts shall also be exerted to encourage
business and labor organizations such as the Management Association of the Philippines and
the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines to take the lead in coordinating the
participation of their respective sectors.
Section 5. Funding. Subject
to prescribed budgetary guidelines, all government agency-members of the PCSD are directed
to include in their FY 2001 Budget Appropriation an allocation to cover the operational
requirements in compliance with this Order. LGUs are also directed to provide funds to
cover their participation in the review process. The PCSD shall identify other funding
sources for the purpose of this Order. Civil society and the business sector are,
likewise, enjoined to contribute funds for activities related thereto in their respective
sectors.
Section 6. Separability Clause.
If any of the provisions of this Order shall be declared unconstitutional, the
other provisions of this order shall remain valid.
Section 7. Effectivity. This
Memorandum Order shall take effect immediately.
Done in the City of Manila, this 19th
day of August in the year of our Lord, Two Thousand.
By the President:
RONALDO B. ZAMORA
Executive Secretary |