TO:	Secretary, Department of National Defense Secretary, Department of Local Government and
		Community Development
	Secretary, Department of Health Secretary, Department of Public Works,
		Transportation and Communications
	Secretary, Department of Social Services Development Secretary, Department of Public Highways Secretary, Department of Natural Resources Secretary, Department of Agriculture Secretary, Department of Agrarian Reform Secretary, Department of Trade Secretary, Department of Public Information Secretary, Department of Labor Secretary, for PANAMIN

WHEREAS, recent developments in Leyte and Samar indicate a deteriorating peace and order condition which adversely affects national security;

WHEREAS, there is an urgent need to contain the spread of insurgency in the area by building up, through joint security/development efforts, an action plan designed to provide security in affected areas and the conduct of massive long-range infrastructure development in unaffected areas; and

WHEREAS, the active cooperation and participation of various government agencies require close coordination and integration of their efforts for maximum result;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Constitution, do hereby order and direct:

1. That a massive, coordinated and sustained inter-agency development program for Leyte and Samar be immediately undertaken;
2. That construction of infrastructure projects be initiated and/or accelerated like roads and bridges, airports, ports and harbors, school houses, hydro-electric plants and such other development projects geared toward enhancing socio-economic uplift of the people in the area;
3. That income generating NACIDA-type and fishpond projects be initiated with the assistance of the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) and other lending institutions in terms of loans.
4. That in order to insure conceited and sustained efforts participating and co-operating agencies, a Development Coordinating Council charged with policy, planning and implementation  is  hereby  created  composed of the following members:
   
   

   Undersecretary for Home    Defense, Department of National    Defense	—Coordinator
   Representative, Department of    Local Government and    Community Development	—Deputy Coordinator
   Representative, Department of    Health	—Member
   Representative, Department of    Public Works, Transportation    and Communications	—Member
   Representative, Department of    Social Services Development	—Member
   Representative, Department of    Public Highways	—Member
   Representative, Department of    Natural Resources	—Memher
   Representative, Department of    Agriculture	—Member
   Representative, Department of    Agrarian Reform	—Member
   Representative, Department of    Trade	—Member
   Representative, Department of    Public Information	—Member
   Representative, PANAMIN	—Member
   Representative, Department of    Labor	—Member

   
   
5. The Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) shall serve as the focal coordinating point for those who wish to setup their own NACIDA-type, self-help projects.  In this regard, the DBP shall promulgate rules and regulations in the granting of loans and may call upon the resources of other financing institutions.
6. The Armed Forces of the Philippines shall maintain security operations and shall undertake, in coordination with the Office for Civil Defense, civil action and other special projects to solve urgent socio-economic problems.
7. The Department of Public Information shall intensify information activities in the area to promote the acceptance of development projects and enhance civic involvement.
8. The Agencies enumerated above shall work within the limits of their programmed resources.  However, in recognition of the added financial and operational burden they are authorized to call upon any department, bureau or instrumentality of government for any assistance that may be required and, after due assessment of the situation, may submit additional financial requirements to the Office of the President for possible funding support.

Done in the City of Manila, this 18th day of July in the year of Our Lord,  nineteen hundred and seventy-seven.