Marcos creates office of presidential adviser on Pasig River rehab
President Marcos has ordered the creation of the Presidential Adviser on Pasig River Rehabilitation office to ensure the effective and timely implementation of the river's development.
Pasig River in Manila (MANILA BULLETIN)
Through Executive Order (EO) No. 92, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Pasig River Rehabilitation will be created and the inter-agency council for the Pasig River Urban Development, which have been overseeing the river's rehabilitation, will be reorganized.
"[C]onsidering the urgent and effective action required for the rehabilitation of Pasig River, there is a need to create a dedicated office to oversee and ensure the efficient, effective, and timely implementation of the rehabilitation and development of the Pasig River," Marcos said in the EO dated Aug. 13.
It will be headed by the Presidential Adviser for Pasig River Rehabilitation, appointed by the President and with the rank of a Secretary.
Under the order, the new office shall advise the President on all matters regarding the formulation and implementation of policies and plans towards the rehabilitation of the river.
It shall monitor, coordinate, and harmonize all policies, plans, activities, and programs of the implementing agencies in charge of the rehabilitation.
As may be necessary, the office shall also call upon any government department, including government-owned or controlled corporations (GOCCs), and invite LGUs and representatives from the private sector to provide assistance in attaining its objectives.
They are also ordered to submit a bi-annual report to the President on the status of the implementation of the order.
The inter-agency council for the Pasig River Urban Development was reorganized to having the Presidential Adviser on Pasig River Rehabilitation as the chairperson, and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) as vice chairperson.
The members include secretaries of Human Settlements and Urban Development; Public Works and Highways; Environment and Natural Resources; Interior and Local Government; Labor and Employment; Tourism; Transportation; Finance; Budget and Management; National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP); National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA); Philippine Ports Authority (PPA); Philippine Coast Guard (PCG); Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA); Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority; National Housing Authority (NHA); and National Development Company.
Under the EO, the council shall continue to perform its functions and shall also be authorized to accept funding by way of entering into investment contracts with other government agencies or the private sector.