Republic of the Philippines

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

Eighteenth Congress
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 8334

Introduced by Honorable Roger G. Mercado

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Considering the issuance of Executive Order No. 70, Series of
2018, the implementation of the Whole-of-Nation approach presents a
policy that is worth institutionalizing.

While it is true that E.O. 70 has initially given life to the Task Force
on Whole-of:Nation approach, the continuity of the policy hinges on the
sitting President and is at risk of being discontinued once another
administration will sit in. This bill if enacted will ensure the continuity of
the Whole-of-Nation approach.

Therefore, passage of this bill is hereby being earnestly sought.

SMC

ROGER GAVIOLA MERCADO,


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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Quezon City, Metro Manila

Eighteenth Congress
Second Regular Session

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HOUSE BILL NO. REM:

Introduced by Honorable Roger G. Mercado

AN ACT
INSTITUTIONALIZING THE WHOLE OF NATION APPROACH IN ATTAINING
INCLUSIVE AND SUSTAINABLE PEACE, CREATING A NATIONAL TASK FORCE TO
END LOCAL COMMUNIST ARMED CONFLICT, AND DIRECTING THE ADOPTION OF
A NATIONAL PEACE FRAMEWORK

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:

SECTION 1. Declaration of Policy. Article || of the 1987 Constitution provides for the

following State principles and policies:

a) The Philippines renounces war as an instrument of national policy;

b) The maintenance of peace and order, the protection of life, liberty, and property, and
the promotion of the general welfare are essential for the enjoyment by all the people
of the blessings of democracy; and

c) The State shall promote a just and dynamic social order that will ensure the
prosperity and independence of the nation and free the people from poverty through
policies that provide adequate social services, promote full employment, a rising
standard of living, and an improved quality of life for all.


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SECTION 2. Institutionalizing the Whole-of-Nation Approach. The Whole-of-Nation
approach is hereby institutionalized as a government policy for the attainment of inclusive
and sustainable peace. Towards this end, the Government shall prioritize and harmonize
the delivery of basic services and social development packages in conflict-affected areas
and vulnerable communities, facilitate societal inclusivity, and ensure active participation of
all sectors of society in the pursuit of the country's peace agenda.

SECTION 3. Creation of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed
Conflict. To ensure efficient and effective implementation of the Whole-of-Nation approach,
a National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (Task Force) is hereby
created under the Office of the President (OP).

SECTION 4. Composition. The Task Force shall be composed of the President of the
Republic of the Philippines, as Chairman; the National Security Adviser, as Vice-Chairman;
and the following as members:

@) Secretary, Department of the Interior and Local Government;

b) Secretary, Department of Justice;

¢) Secretary, Department of National Defense;

4) Secretary, Department of Public Works and Highways;

e) Secretary, Department of Budget and Management;

f) Secretary, Department of Finance;

g) Secretary, Department of Agrarian Reform:

h) Secretary, Department of Social Welfare and Development;

i) Secretary, Department of Education;

j) Director General, National Economic and Development Authority;
k) Director General, National Intelligence Coordinating Agency;

1) Director General, Technical Education and Skilis Development Authority;
m) Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process;

n) Presidential Adviser for Indigenous Peoples’ Concern;

0) Chief of Staff, Armed Forces of the Philippines;

p) Director General, Philippine National Police


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4) Chairperson, National Commission on Indigenous People:
1) Secretary, Presidential Communications Operations Office; and
8) Two (2) Representatives from the private sector.

Except for the private sector representatives, the members may designate an
alternate, with a rank not lower than an Assistant Secretary, to represent their
Fespective offices in the Task Force, provided that the alternate must be fully
authorized to decide on behalf of the member. The names of the alternates shall be
submitted to the National Secretariat.

The Private Sector Representatives, with a term of one (1) year each, shall be
appointed by the President upon recommendation of the Task Force.

SECTION S. Powers and Functions. The Task Force shall have the following powers
and functions:

@) Within six (6) months from the effectivity of this Act, formulate and start to
implement in coordination with relevant national government agencies,
LGUs, the civil society and other stakeholders, a Whole-of-Nation
approach-driven National Peace Framework (Framework);

Ensure inter-agency convergence in the implementation of the Framework
in conflict-affected and-vulnerable communities;

Enlist the assistance of any department, bureau, office, agency, or
instrumentality of the government, including LGUs, government-owned or-
controlled corporations (GOCCs), and state universities and colleges
(SUCs), in accordance with their respective mandates, in the
implementation of the Framework;

) Evaluate, define, modify or integrate policies, programs and activities

contained in the Framework;

b)

°)

©) Organize ad hoc inter-agency and multi-sectoral clusters, councils,
committees and groups in national, regional, and local levels, or modify
existing ones, whenever necessary, to full its mandates;



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Develop strategic communications, advocacy, and peace constituency

plans in case of ceasefire, as well as capability-building measures, to

enable the local chief executives and local peace bodies to engage and
facilitate local peace engagements or negotiations or interventions;

g) Review the mandates and functions of offices undertaking the peace
efforts to avoid duplications of functions and programs, and submit its
recommendation/s to the President for approval;

h) As may be necessary, issue supplemental guidelines, protocols or policies
in furtherance of this Act;

i) Recommend to the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process
projects in conflict-affected areas where the PAyapa at MAsaganang
PamayaNAn Program may be implemented, subject to the provisions of
the General Appropriations Act; and

J) Perform such other duties and functions as the President may direct.

SECTION 6. The National Peace Framework. The Framework shall contain principles,
policies, plans, and programs that will bring inclusive and sustainable peace, and address
the root causes of insurgencies, internal disturbances and tensions as well as other
armed conflict and threats in identified areas. The Framework shall be responsive to the
local needs and sensitive to the realities on the ground. To this end, the Framework shall
include a mechanism for localized peace engagements or negotiations and interventions
that is nationally orchestrated, directed and supervised, while being locally implemented.

SECTION 7. Convergence. All departments, bureaus, offices, agencies or
instrumentalities of the government, including GOCCs and SUCs, are hereby directed to
render the necessary support to the Task Force.

The private sector, non-government organizations and other stakeholders are
encouraged to participate in all peace-building programs, plans and activities, in the
implementation of the Framework.


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SECTION 8. Secretariat. The Task Force shall be assisted by a National Secretariat,
headed by an Executive Director, who shail be appointed by the President with the rank
of Undersecretary. The Executive Director shall submit an organizational and staffing
pattern of the Task Force National Secretariat to the DBM, within two (2) months from
his/her appointment. Pending the approval of the organizational and staffing pattern, the
Executive Director shall be assisted by the personnel from the member-agencies of the
Task Force under secondment, detail or other appropriate arrangement.

SECTION 8. Functions of the National Secretariat. The National Secretariat shall have

the following functions;

a) Provide technical and effective administrative support and assistance to the Task
Force in the performance of its tasks, coordinate with relevant agencies on the
Status of its plans and programs, and provide update to the Task Force on the
implementation of the Framework;

b) Ensure that all policies, directives, plans and programs formulated by the Task
Force are faithfully carried out; and

c) Perform such other functions as may be directed by the Task Force.

SECTION 10. Funding. The initial funding requirements for the implementation of this
Act shall be charged against existing appropriations of member-agencies of the Task
Force and such other appropriate funding sources as the DBM may identify, and when
necessary, the Contingent Fund, subject to relevant laws, rules and regulations.

‘The succeeding year’s appropriations for the operation of the National Secretariat
shall be included in the budget proposal of the OP. The funding requirements for the
implementation of the programs, plans and activities in the Framework shall be
included in the respective annual budgets of the concerned agencies, subject to the
usual budget preparation process.

SECTION 11. Sunset Clause. The Task Force shall be rendered functus officio upon
the accomplishment of the purpose for which it was created or unless sooner dissolved
by the President.


SECTION 12. Separability Clause. In the event that any provisions of this Act or any
part hereof is declared invalid, illegal or unconstitutional, the provisions not thereby
affected shall remain in force and effect.

SECTION 13. Repealing Clause. All orders, rules and regulations, and other
issuances or parts thereof that are inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or
modified accordingly.

SECTION 14. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Approved,