XECUTIVE ORDER NO. 496, January 23, 2006

PLACING THE MINDANAO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL, ARMM SOCIAL FUND FOR PEACE AND DEVELOPMENT, MINDANAO PEACE AND DEVELOPMENT FUND AND OFFICE ON MUSLIM AFFAIRS UNDER THE OVERSIGHT OF THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENTIAL ADVISER ON THE PEACE PROCESS

WHEREAS, Executive Order No. 512 dated 19 March 1992, as amended, created the Mindanao Economic Development Council (MEDCo) to promote and coordinate the active and extensive participation of all sectors to effect socio-economic development of Mindanao;

WHEREAS, the ARMM Social Fund for Peace and Development (ASFPD) created pursuant to Executive Order No. 124 dated 12 September 2002 is tasked to promote peace and development in conflict affected and influenced communities in the expanded Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM);

WHEREAS, the Mindanao Peace and Development Fund (MPDF) created by virtue of Executive Order No. 229 dated 21 July 2003 is similarly tasked to promote socio-economic development in conflict affected areas outside of the ARMM;

WHEREAS, Executive Order No. 122-A dated 30 January 1987 created the Office on Muslim Affairs tasked primarily to provide advice and assistance to the President in the formulation, coordination, implementation and monitoring of policies and projects affecting Muslim communities and to undertake and coordinate development programs and projects for the advancement of Muslim communities;

WHEREAS, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) is tasked with the implementation and supervision of the comprehensive peace process as embodied in Executive Order No. 3 dated 28 February 2001 defining policy and administrative structure for Government’s comprehensive peace efforts;

WHEREAS, there is a need to rationalize and consolidate peace and development efforts in Mindanao by placing the MEDCo, ASFPD, MPDF and OMA under the oversight of the OPAPP;

WHEREAS, Section 31, Title III, Chapter 10, Book III of Executive Order No. 292 series of 1987 provides that the President, subject to the policy in the Executive Office and in order to achieve simplicity, economy and efficiency, shall have the continuing authority to reorganize the administrative structure of the Office of the President.

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

Section 1. The Mindanao Economic Development Council (MEDCo), ARMM Social Fund for Peace and Development (ASFPD), Mindanao Peace and Development Fund (MPDF) and Office on Muslim Affairs (OMA) are hereby placed under the oversight of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP).

Section 2. The Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process shall oversee and whenever appropriate, have the authority to direct and/or manage projects related to the government’s comprehensive peace and development efforts.

Section 3. All issuances, rules and regulations or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this Executive Order is hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

Section 4. This Executive Order shall take effect immediately.

Done in the City of Manila, this 23rd day of January, in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Six.

(SGD.) GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO

By the President:

(SGD.) EDUARDO R. ERMITA

Executive Secretary