Creating The "Design Center Philippines" To Develop, Promote And Enhance The Product Design Of All Philippine Products And Handicraft

Case Overview and Summary

Summary of Presidential Decree No. 279

Creation of Design Center Philippines
- Created under the Department of Trade to develop, promote, and enhance product design of Philippine-manufactured products, including cottage, small scale, and medium size industries products. (Section 1)

Functions of Design Center Philippines
- Create, develop, promote, and enhance product design of all Philippine-manufactured products, including cottage, small scale, and medium size industries products. (Section 2a)
- Develop, promote, and enhance product adaptability of all Philippine-manufactured products, particularly cottage, small scale, and medium size industries products. (Section 2b)
- Develop and maintain creative research and development program on product design and product adaptability of Philippine-manufactured products, including cottage, small scale, and medium size industries products. (Section 2c)
- Develop and promote minor and applied arts, traditional and contemporary crafts, appreciation for beauty and skill, and training of artisans, craftsmen, and producers in cottage, small scale, and medium size industries. (Section 2d)
- Coordinate all functions related to product design and product adaptability undertaken by all other government and private agencies. (Section 2e)
- Specify, approve, or regulate product design of all Philippine-manufactured products, particularly cottage, small scale, and medium size industries products, intended for export. (Section 2f)
- Promulgate necessary rules and regulations to carry out the provisions of this decree. (Section 2g)

Board of Design Center Philippines
- Composed of 9 members: Secretary of Trade (Chairman), Chairman of Board of Investments (Vice-Chairman), Secretary of Tourism, Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs, Administrator of National Cottage Industries Development Authority, Director General of National Manpower and Youth Council, Executive Director of Design Center Philippines (ex officio members), and 2 members from private sector appointed by the President. (Section 3)
- Quorum of 5 members required for decisions, with majority vote. (Section 3)
- Private sector members receive per diem of ₱50 per meeting, up to ₱1,000 per month. Ex officio members receive commutable representation and traveling allowances up to ₱1,000 per month. (Section 3)

Executive Director
- Appointed by the President. (Section 4)
- Executes, administers, and implements policies, plans, and measures approved by the Board. (Section 4)
- Submits quarterly report of accomplishments to the Board. (Section 4)
- Board submits annual report to the President within 1 month after end of fiscal year. (Section 4)

Funding
- Initially funded for Fiscal Year 1973-1974 with ₱1,250,000 from unprogrammed appropriations of Department of Trade (₱500,000), National Cottage Industries Development Authority (₱400,000), National Manpower and Youth Council (₱250,000), and Department of Tourism (₱100,000). (Section 5)
- Additional funding from National Treasury as appropriated. (Section 5)

Staffing
- Administrative personnel appointed by Executive Director with approval of Board, in accordance with Civil Service Law and Wage and Position Classification Office rules. (Section 6)
- Technical personnel and consultants contracted by Executive Director with approval of Board, based on competence, integrity, and honesty. (Section 6)
- May call upon any government official, agent, employee, agency, or instrumentality for staff or assistance, with approval of Office of the President. (Section 6)

Penalties
- Violation of provisions or rules and regulations: imprisonment of 6 months to 5 years, or fine of ₱2,000 to ₱20,000, or both, at court's discretion. (Section 7)
- If offender is a corporation, firm, partnership, or association, penalty imposed on guilty officer(s). If guilty officer(s) are aliens, they shall be deported in addition to penalties. (Section 7)

Effectivity
- Decree takes effect immediately after publication in Official Gazette or newspaper of general circulation. (Section 8)