EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 421, June 20, 1997

FURTHER AMENDING EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 203 DATED 27 SEPTEMBER 1994, AS AMENDED BY EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 356, DATED 12 JULY 1996

WHEREAS, Executive Order No. 203, dated 27 September 1994, created the oversight and executive Committees for the Social Reform Agenda;

WHEREAS, Executive Order No. 203 was amended by Executive Order No. 356, dated 12 July 1996, to provide for the expanded membership of the Social Reform Council and the implementing guidelines on the institutional arrangements to fast-track SRA localization;

WHEREAS, one of the demands made by the Children/Youth/Students Sector was the creation of a separate Children’s Sector with clearly defined and distinct programs, services and activities under the SRA;

WHEREAS, children below 15 years of age have social welfare needs that cut across all age levels, and disadvantaged children have unique problems and needs that should be addressed separately from that of students and youth;

WHEREAS, existing children’s programs and services are focused on “survival” and “health” measures that are essential to their well-being, but lack activities that develop the responsibility of children to participate in community and governmental planning and decision-making;

WHEREAS, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Philippine Plan of Action for Children recognize the right of children to participate in associations, organizations and formal groups designed to promote their total growth and development;

NOW, THEREFORE, I,FIDEL V. RAMOS, President of the Republic of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby order the amendment of Executive Order No. 203, dated 27 September 1994, as amended by Executive Order No. 356, dated 12 July 1996 to create a separate Children’s Sector in the Social Reform Council  and to encourage representation of Children in all relevant political, social and cultural structures of the government.

The Council for the Welfare of Children together with the Department of Social Welfare and Development, as the flagship champion for the Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services and the Children’s Sectoral Council of Leaders, shall spearhead and oversee the formulation of the National Children’s Development Plan.

This Executive Order shall take effect immediately.

DONE, in the City of Manila, this 20th day of June in the year of Our Lord, Nineteen Hundred and Ninety Seven

(Sgd.) FIDEL V. RAMOS

President of the Philippines

By the President:

(Sgd.) RUBEN D. TORRES

Executive Secretary