EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 708, February 26, 2008

AMENDING EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 152, SERIES OF 2002, AND DEVOLVING THE FUNCTION OF THE PRESIDENTIAL COMMISSION FOR THE URBAN POOR AS THE CLEARING HOUSE FOR THE CONDUCT OF DEMOLITION AND EVICTION ACTIVITIES INVOLVING THE HOMELESS AND UNDERPRIVILEGED CITIZENS TO THE RESPECTIVE LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGUs) HAVING TERRITORIAL JURISDICTION OVER THE PROPOSED DEMOLITION AND EVICTION ACTIVITIES OF GOVERNMENT AGENCIES

WHEREAS, Executive Order No. 152, series of 2002, designated the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor (PCUP) as the sole clearing house for the conduct of demolition and eviction activities involving the homeless and underprivileged citizens;

WHEREAS, Executive Order No. 152, series of 2002, granted the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor (PCUP) such powers to fulfill its mandate of ensuring strict compliance with the requirements of just and humane demolition and eviction under the Urban Development and Housing Act of 1992;

WHEREAS, pursuant to the established policy of local autonomy and decentralization, there is a need to devolve the functions and mandate of the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor (PCUP) to the respective Local Government Units (LGUs) in whose territorial jurisdiction the proposed demolition and eviction activities of all government agencies are to be undertaken.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GLORIA-MACAGAPAL-ARROYO, President of the Republic of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby order:

Section 1. Devolution of Clearinghouse functions.  The clearinghouse functions of the PCUP stated in Section 1 of Executive Order No. 152, series of 2002, are hereby devolved to the respective cities and municipalities in whose territorial jurisdiction the proposed demolition and eviction activities of government agencies are to be undertaken.

Section 2. Creation of Local Housing Boards.  The Local Government Units must create their own Local Housing Boards or any similar body through an appropriate ordinate before conducting the clearinghouse functions granted to them in this Executive Order.

Section 3. Guidelines in the enactment of ordinance.  The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) is hereby ordered to issue the necessary guidelines for the enactment of ordinances creating Local Housing Boards or any similar body to Local Government Units (LGUs) within six (6) months from the effectivity of this Executive Order.  The PCUP shall assist the Local Government Units in enacting the ordinances in whatever capacity they can provide within the same period.

Section 4. Residual Functions.  The PCUP shall continue with its monitoring and reporting functions.  However, all clearinghouse functions, including issuance of notices and clearances to affected families shall be the primary responsibility of the Local Government Unit concerned.  The powers and functions mentioned in subsections 4 to 11 of Section 1 and Section 9 of Executive Order No. 152, series of 2002, shall remain with the PCUP.

Section 5. All other orders, issuances or portions thereof, which are inconsistent with this Executive Order are hereby revoked, amended or modified accordingly.

Section 6. This Executive Order shall take effect immediately.

DONE in the City of Manila, this 26th day of February in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Eight.

(Sgd.) GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO

By the President:

(Sgd.) EDUARDO R. ERMITA

Executive Secretary