Letter of Instructions No. 601, issued on September 20, 1977, mandates the formation of several committees under the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) to enhance inter-agency coordination in the Philippines. These committees focus on social development, trade, tariff, infrastructure, and statistical development, each comprising various department heads and officials. Their responsibilities include advising the President, coordinating activities among agencies, formulating policies, and monitoring relevant developments. Additionally, technical committees will provide necessary support, ensuring effective implementation and alignment with national objectives. The directive aims to streamline government efforts in key areas impacting socio-economic growth.
September 20, 1977
LETTER OF INSTRUCTIONS NO. 601
| TO | : | The National Economic and Development Authority |
| Other Department and Agency Heads Concerned |
In order to ensure quick and effective inter-agency coordination in the formulation and implementation of government policies relating to social development, trade, tariff and related matters, infrastructure development and statistical development, you are hereby directed to constitute yourselves into the following NEDA Committees: cd
1. Committee on Social Development, consisting of the following:
The Secretary of Education and Culture
The Secretary of Labor
The Secretary of Health
The Secretary of Social Services and Development
The Secretary of Local Governments and Community Development
The Secretary of Agrarian Reform
The Chairman of the Human Settlements Commission
The Secretary of Economic Planning
Said Committee shall have the following duties and responsibilities: aisa dc
a. To advise the President and the NEDA Board on matters concerning social development, including education, manpower, health and nutrition, population and family planning, housing, human settlements and the delivery or conduct of other social services;
b. To coordinate the activities of individual agencies and instrumentalities of the government concerned with social development;
c. To review and formulate government policies, programs and projects on social development consistent with national development objectives and priorities; and
d. To monitor regularly developments, both local and international, affecting the delivery or conduct of social services.
A technical committee based at the NEDA shall render the necessary technical and secretariat assistance to the Committee which shall consist of representatives from the above departments and offices, including one representative each from the National Housing Authority, Population Commission and Food and Nutrition Research Council and such line agencies and government corporations as may be required.
2. Committee on Trade, Tariff and Related Matters, consisting of the following:
The Secretary of Trade
The Secretary of Foreign Affairs
The Secretary of Finance
The Secretary of Industry
The Secretary of Agriculture
The Secretary of Natural Resources
The Governor of the Central Bank
The Secretary of Economic Planning
The Chairman of the Tariff Commission
Said Committee shall have the following duties and responsibilities: casia
a. To advise the President and the NEDA Board on trade, tariff and related matters, including those pertaining to bilateral and multilateral economic negotiations in which the country is involved;
b. To advise the President and the NEDA Board about the effects on the country of various international developments;
c. To coordinate individual agency positions and formulate and review national positions for international economics negotiations;
d. To review as appropriate and to coordinate with the Secretary of Foreign Affairs the organization of negotiating panels; and
e. To undertake the continuous rationalization of the country's tariff structure.
The NEDA Inter-Agency Technical Committee on Trade, Tariff and Related Matters (TTRM) shall provide the necessary technical and secretariat support to the Committee.
3. Committee on Infrastructure, consisting of the following: cdt
The Secretary of Public Works, Transportation and Communications
The Secretary of Public Highways
The Secretary of Finance
The Commissioner of the Budget
The Secretary of Economic Planning
Said Committee shall have the following duties and responsibilities:
a. To advise the President and the NEDA Board on matters concerning infrastructure development including Highways; Airports; Seaports and Shore Protection; Railways; Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution; Telecommunications; Irrigation, Flood Control and Drainage, Water Supply; National Buildings for Government Offices; Hospitals, Sanitaria and related building, State Colleges and Universities, Elementary and Secondary School Buildings; and other Public Works;
b. To Coordinate the activities of agencies including government-owned and controlled corporations concerned with infrastructure development;
c. To review and formulate government policies, programs and projects concerning infrastructure development consistent with national development objectives and priorities; and
d. To monitor regularly developments and implementation of infrastructure programs and projects.
A Technical Committee based at the NEDA and composed of an inter-agency grouping shall render the necessary technical and secretariat assistance to the Committee.
4. Committee on Statistical Development, consisting of the following:
The Secretary of Labor
The Secretary of Finance
The Governor of the Central Bank
The Secretary of Agriculture
The Secretary of Natural Resources
The Secretary of Industry
The Secretary of Health
The Secretary of Education and Culture
The Secretary of Economic Planning
The Commissioner of the Budget
The Chairman, Statistical Advisory Board, Ex-officio member
Said Committee shall have the following functions and duties: cd i
a. To act on behalf of NEDA Board, upon recommendation of Statistical Advisory Board, on statistical policy matters;
b. To initiate or formulate Presidential Decrees, Letter of Instructions, memorandum circular to ensure implementation of decisions; and
c. To resolve problems of statistical coordination generated by the proliferation of statistical surveys conducted by agencies of the government and the private institutions.
The Secretary of Economic Planning (NEDA Director-General) shall act as Chairman of all the aforementioned Committees and is hereby empowered to call on any government office, agency or instrumentality affected by their decisions or whose programs will require coordination by the Committees.
The operations of the committees shall be supported by financial contributions from the various agencies represented in the Cabinet Committees as well as the Inter-Agency Technical Committees.
This LOI supplements the present structure of the NEDA Committees, e.g., Investment Coordinating Committee, (ICC), Development Budget Coordinating Committee (DBCC), Committee on ASEAN Economic Cooperation (CAEC), Cabinet Committee on Integrated Area Development Projects and Committee on Major National Projects. acd
The provisions of this Letter of Instructions shall take effect immediately.
DONE in the City of Manila, this 20th day of September, in the year of Our Lord, Nineteen Hundred and Seventy-Seven.