Creating the Bicol River Basin Council

Case Overview and Summary

Summary of Executive Order No. 412

Creation of the Bicol River Basin Council
- The Bicol River Basin Council (the "Council") is created under the National Economic and Development Authority to promote integrated area development in the Bicol Region. (Preamble)
- The Council's jurisdiction covers the portion of the Bicol River Watershed within the province of Camarines Sur, including 31 municipalities and cities. (Section 1a)

Powers and Jurisdiction of the Council
- Review and approve programming and allocation of funds for projects within its jurisdiction. (Section 1a)
- Integrate and coordinate all plans and programs affecting the Bicol River Basin. The Council's decision is final. (Section 1b)
- Call on government agencies for assistance in personnel, facilities, and resources. (Section 1c)
- Perform other necessary actions to attain the objectives of the Bicol River Basin Development Program. (Section 1d)

Board of Directors
- The Council's powers are vested in a Board of Directors composed of: (Section 2)
-- Chairman: Secretary of Public Works, Transportation and Communication
-- Members: Secretaries or Undersecretaries of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Agrarian Reform, Local Government and Community Development; Director-General of NEDA; Provincial Governor of Camarines Sur; Executive Director of the Council (ex-officio)
- The Board meets at least twice a year. Members receive a per diem of ₱100 per meeting, up to ₱200 per month. (Section 2)
- Four members constitute a quorum. (Section 2)

Program Office
- The Council maintains a Program Office headed by the Executive Director and four Deputy Directors for Plans and Programs, Social Infrastructure, Physical Infrastructure, and Budget and Administration. (Section 3)
- The Program Office is located in Camarines Sur. (Section 3)

Duties of the Board
- Prescribe rules and regulations governing the Council's affairs. (Section 4a)
- Appoint, suspend, or remove the Executive Director or Deputies. (Section 4b)
- Approve the Council's annual and supplemental budgets. (Section 4c)

Executive Director
- A natural-born Filipino citizen with executive competence in public administration, infrastructure, or management of agriculture, industrial, or commercial enterprises. (Section 5)
- Serves a fixed term of 4 years, unless removed earlier by a two-thirds vote of the Board. (Section 5)
- Receives an annual compensation not exceeding ₱30,000, charged to the Council's operating expenses. (Section 5)
- Duties include: preparing Board meeting agenda, executing Board policies, managing the Program Office, submitting annual budget and report to NEDA, and other duties assigned by the Board. (Section 6)

Operating Expenses
- ₱1,500,000 is appropriated from the National Treasury to cover the Council's operating expenses for the first year. (Section 7)
- Subsequent appropriations are based on the budget approved by the Board. (Section 7)

Auditing Procedures
- The Auditor-General appoints a representative as the Council's Auditor and necessary personnel. (Section 8)
- The Council's financial transactions are audited in accordance with law, regulations, and principles applicable to corporate transactions. (Section 8)

Effectivity
- The Executive Order takes effect immediately. (Section 9)