Memorandum Order creating an Inter-Agency Task Force to address ecological problems affecting irrigation systems and agricultural areas in the Country (No. 373 of 1991)

MALACANANG MANILA MEMORANDUM ORDER No. 373 CREATING AN INTER-AGENCY TASK FORCE TO ADDRESS ECOLOGICAL PROBLEMS AFFECTING IRRIGA TION SYSTEMS AND AGRICUL TURAL AREAS IN THE COUNTRY WHEREAS, there are ecological problems affecting the irrigation systems and agri cultural areas in the country, brought about by the July 16, 1990 earthquake, the recent eruption of the Mt. Pinatubo and the con tinuing siltation of rivers in various parts of the country; WHEREAS~ to address these ecological problems, there is a need to create an Inter-Agency Task Force that will primarily be responsible for the rehabilitation of damaged or affected areas; Now, THEREFORE, I, CoRAZON C. AQUINO, President of the Philippines, by virtue of 5334 OFFICIAL GAZETTE VOL. 87, No. 3'7. the powers vested in me by law, do hereby order: SECTION 1. There is hereby created an Inter-Agency Task Force that will primarily be responsible for the rehabilitation of damaged or affected irrigation systems and agricultural areas in the country brought. about by the July 16, 1990 earthquake, the recent eruption of the M,t. Pinatubo and the continuing siltation of rivers in various parts of the country. SEC. 2. The Inter-Agency Task Force shall be composed of the following: Chairman-Undersecretary Apolonio Bau tista, Department of Agri culture; Members -Assistant Secretary Manuel Bonoan (Mr. Manuel Alconia, alternate) , Department of Public Works and Highways; Assistant Secretary Gregorio Magdaraog, Department of Environment and Natural Re sources; Assistant Secretary Federico Luchico, Department of Trade and Industry; and Dr. Jose Galvez (Mr. Edil berto Payawal, alternate), National Irrigation Adminis tration. SEC. 3. 'The Inter-Agency Task Force shall have the following powers and func tions: a. Identify seriously-affected areas; b. Assess the damage in the affected areas; c. Formulate appropriate rehabilitation strategies and the corresponding me chanisms based on current assessment of affected areas; d. Recommend to the Office of the Pres ident rehabilitation programs and the corresponding funding requirements; e. Organize coordinative action teams, with the participation of non-govern mental organization (NGOs), govern ment agencies and local government units, for actual rehabilitation works in the area; f. Monitor the progress of implementa tion of identified rehabilitation strate gies; and g. Recommend appropriate legislation or administrative issuances to address issues/problems on program imple mentation. SEC. 4. This Memorandum Order shall take effect immediately. DONE in the City of Manila, this 11th day of July, in the year of our Lord, nineteen hundred and ninety-one. (Sgd.) CORAZON C. AQUINO President of the Philippines By the President.: (Sgd.) MAGDANGAL B. ELMA Acting Executive Secretary