BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 33

TRANSFERRING THE NATIONAL COUNCIL ON DISABILITY AFFAIRS (NCDA) FROM THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT (OP) TO THEDEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT (DSWD)

WHEREAS, the Philippines as a State Party to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), manifests its commitment to promote and protect the rights and welfare of PWDs by way of legislations, programs and institutional support;

WHEREAS Presidential Decree No. 1509, as amended by Presidential Decree No. 1761, created the National Commission Concerning Disabled Persons (NCCDP) which was later renamed as the National Council for the Welfare of Disabled Persons (NCWDP) attached to the DSWD by virtue of Executive Order (E.O.) No. 123 (s. 1987);

WHEREAS, the NCWDP is tasked to formulate policies and coordinate the activities of all agencies, whether public or private, concerning disability issues and concerns as well as monitor the implementation of national laws and international commitments;

WHEREAS, E.O. No 232 (s. 1987) provided for the structural and functional reorganization of the NCWDP towards a more effective and efficient delivery of services to PWDs;

WHEREAS, by virtue of E.O. No. 676 (s. 2007), the NCWDP was transferred from the DSWD to OP to further strengthen the government’s programs for the welfare of PWDs;

WHEREAS, E.O. No. 709 (s. 2008) renamed the NCWDP as the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) redefining its functions and organizational structure in consonance with the government’s international commitments and national laws;

WHEREAS, recognizing that majority of PWDs live in a condition of poverty and are faced with challenges as a result of their disabilities that need to be addressed by concerted efforts between and among government agencies and the civil society, both at the national and local levels;

WHEREAS, the DSWD is mandated to provide social protection and promote the rights and welfare of the poor, vulnerable, and the disadvantaged individuals, families and communities to contribute to poverty alleviation and empowerment through social welfare and development (SWD) policies, programs, projects and services implemented with or through local government units (LGUs), non-government organizations (NGOs), peoples organizations (POs), other government organizations (GOs) and members of the civil society;

WHEREAS, the DSWD given its mandate has institutional support that can be provided to the NCDA in order to carry out its functions more effectively;

WHEREAS, one of the thrusts of the present Administration is the streamlining of attached agencies to ensure that each agency has a defined set of functions and obligation in accordance with law; and,

WHEREAS, the Administrative Code of 1987 grants the President the continuing authority to reorganize the administrative structure of the Executive Branch;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BENIGNO S. AQUINO III, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby order:

SECTION 1. Transfer of the NCOA to the DSWD. The NCOA is hereby transferred from the OP to the DSWD as its attached agency.

SECTION 2. Ex-officio Chairman. The Secretary of the DSWD shall be the ex-officio Chairman of the Council.

SECTION 3. Repealing Clause. All Executive Orders, rules and regulations or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this E O. are hereby revoked, amended or modified accordingly.

SECTION 4. Separability Clause. In the event that any provision of this E.O. is declared invalid or unconstitutional, the provisions not thereby affected shall remain valid and subsisting.

SECTION 5. Effectivity. This Order shall take effect immediately.

DONE in the City of Manila, this 5th day of April  in the year of our Lord, Two Thousand and Eleven.

(Sgd.) BENIGNO S. AQUINO III

By Authority of the President:

(Sgd.) PAQUITO N. OCHOA, JR.

Executive Secretary

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