Reorganizing The Natural Resources Management Center And Redefining Its Functions And Objectives, Revising For This Purpose Presidential Decree 1041

MALACAÑANG
M a n i l a

PRESIDENTIAL DECREE No. 1531

REORGANIZING THE NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT CENTER AND REDEFINING ITS FUNCTIONS AND OBJECTIVES, REVISING FOR THIS PURPOSE PRESIDENTIAL DECREE 1041

WHEREAS, the Government recognizes the crucial role of current and adequate knowledge of the country's physical resources and environment in determining national, regional strategies for development in international negotiations;

WHEREAS, global and national perspective on natural resources and environmental situation indicate a need to properly monitor the exploitation and development of the country's natural resources and changes in its physical environment;

WHEREAS, there are rapidly developing technologies for gathering, analyzing, and interpreting information relative to the inventory, assessment and monitoring of the country's natural resources and environment and the management thereof such that their proper utilization will enhance the capability to formulate effective plans for economic development; and

WHEREAS, recent developments and continuing scientific and technological research and development activities on natural resources information management have revealed the need to strengthen the system and capability to plan and implement the...

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Summary of Presidential Decree No. 1531

Declaration of Policy (Section 1):
- Utilize efficient technologies for inventory, assessment, and monitoring of natural resources.
- Enhance capability for economic growth planning.
- Establish agency for attaining these objectives.

Reorganizing the Natural Resources Management Center (NRMC) (Section 2):
- NRMC reorganized as a distinct agency attached to the Department of Natural Resources.

Functions and Objectives of NRMC (Section 3):
- Formulate natural resources information acquisition and processing program.
- Conduct natural resources and environmental surveys using remote sensing.
- Undertake research in data processing, interpretation, and information handling.
- Establish and maintain natural resources data banks and information systems.
- Carry out research on specific resource and environmental issues.
- Establish and operate training facilities and provide support services.
- Establish and maintain facilities for data acquisition, analysis, and dissemination.
- Establish and maintain information services.
- Promote ASEAN and international cooperation in resource surveys and assessment.

Governing Committee (Section 4):
- Composed of 9 members, including the Secretary of Natural Resources as Chairman.
- Members entitled to per diems and allowances.

Functions and Responsibilities of the Committee (Section 5):
- Prepare and adopt necessary rules and regulations.
- Update and review policies, programs, and adopt strategies.
- Approve staffing pattern and appoint officers and staff.
- Reorganize divisions, units, or stations, and establish inter-agency committees.
- Discipline and remove officers and employees.
- Determine allowances and incentives for consultants and staff.
- Engage services of experts, consultants, and other personnel.
- Determine and collect service rates and charges.
- Accept turnover of assets from similar institutions.
- Accept donations, grants, gifts, and loans.
- Confer or accept research and educational grants.
- Require assistance from government agencies, including detail of officials and employees.
- Delegate powers to the Director-General, except non-delegable powers.
- Perform other functions necessary to carry out the aims and purposes.

Director-General (Section 6):
- Appointed by the President of the Philippines.
- Prepare staffing pattern for approval by the Committee.
- Control and supervision over personnel, staff, operations, and internal administration.
- Recommend policies, measures, programs, and projects to the Committee.
- Submit annual report on operations, status of programs, and financial condition.
- Exercise powers and functions of the Committee, except non-delegable powers.

Capital Investment Fund (Section 7):
- Established to support capital outlays, investments, and international commitments.
- Derived from government appropriations, subsidies, contributions, donations, grants, and loans.
- Government appropriations to be included in the General Appropriations Act.
- Income generated by NRMC to form part of the Fund.

Exemption from Taxes (Section 8):
- Provisions, contributions, bequests, subsidies, or financial aid to NRMC exempt from taxes.
- Allowable deductions from income of donors for income tax purposes.

Consultants, Research Fellows and Associates (Section 9):
- NRMC may engage services of experts, consultants, and other personnel, local or foreign.
- May require technical and professional services from government agencies.
- Appointees may be issued appointments as consultants, research fellows, and associates.
- Committee to provide fees, allowances, and incentives for consultants and staff.
- Additional compensation for government officials or employees engaged as consultants.

Honoraria (Section 10):
- NRMC may pay honoraria to government personnel providing assistance.

Miscellaneous Provisions (Section 11):
- Personnel in abolished positions may be absorbed by NRMC based on merit and fitness.
- Separated or terminated personnel to receive gratuity pay based on one month's pay per year of service.

Separability Clause (Section 12):
- If any provision is declared unconstitutional, it shall not affect the validity of other provisions.

Repealing Clause (Section 13):
- All laws, decrees, orders, rules, and regulations inconsistent with this Decree are repealed or modified.

Effectivity (Section 14):
- This Decree shall take effect immediately.