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, the Philippine Council for Sustainable Development (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 catalyze the formation and institutionalization of
local councils for sustainable development through EO No. 370, s. 1996;
Whereas, the PA 21 was formulated after an extensive and intensive process of
coordination, cooperation, counterparting and consensus-building among various
stakeholders of society to provide the overall direction and serve as enabling mechnism to
achieve sustainable development;
Whereas,
the localization and adaptation of PA21 is deemed the appropriate mechanism to address
area-specific concerns pertaining to sustainable development;
Whereas,
cognizant of the role of the Local Government Units (LGUs) in the localization process,
there is a need for them to formulate sustainable integrated area development plans for PA
21;
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. Strengthening of the Localization of PA 21. The LGUs are
hereby directed to formulate and implement their respective sustainable integrated area
development plans or Local Agenda 21. The LGUs are hereby directed to formulate and
implement their respective sustainable integrated area development plans or Local Agenda
21 using existing structures and mechanisms. In this regard, the National Economic
and Development Authority (NEDA), the Office of the Presidential Assistant on Poverty
Eradication, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), and other concerned
government agencies are directed to assist the LGUs in the formulation of the said plans.
LGUs are also directed to coordinate closely with non-governmental organizations
and people's organizations in the formulation of Local Agenda 21.
Section 2. Overall Monitoring. The PCSD shall continue to oversee and monitor
the overall operationalization of PA 21. Pursuant to Memorandum Order No. 399, s.
1996, the DILG shall monitor the localization of PA 21 and shall provide the coordinating
and monitoring mechanisms for its implementation. As such, it shall mobilize
coordinating bodies including the Regional Development Councils, the local councils for
sustainable development and other similar existing units organized and managed by other
agencies and institutions.
Section 3. Funding. The DILG, in coordination with the Department of
Finance, Department of Budget and Mangement (DBM), PCSD and NEDA, shall assist, where
appropriate, the LGUs in developing a lo9cal government budgeting framework that will
ensure support to Local Agenda 21 plans and in identifying funding sou7rces for the
localization of PA 21.
Section 4. Reporting System. The LGUs shall submit semestral reports to
the DILG on their activities and accomplishments relative to their Local Agenda 21.
The DILG shall submit a consolidated report on the status of LGU formulation and
implementation of Local Agenda 21 to the PCSD.
Section 5. Separability Clause. If any of the provisions of this Order
shall be declared unconstitutional, the other provisions of this Order shall remain
valid.
Section 6. Effectivity. This Memorandum Order shall take effect
immediately.
Done in the City of Manila, this 25th
day of January in the year of our Lord, Nineteen Hundred and Ninety Nine.
(Sgd.) JOSEPH
EJERCITO ESTRADA
By:
RONALDO B. ZAMORA
Executive Secretary |