Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 8) — President Rodrigo Duterte has signed Executive Order 167, which aims to strengthen the organizational structure of the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW), according to a copy of the issuance released by Malacanang on Friday.
EO 167, which amends EO 208 signed in 2004 in view of the PCW’s expanded role and scope of work, increased the sectors represented in the commission, raised the chairperson’s rank, and created a secretariat. Duterte signed the new order on April 6.
The amendment said the chairperson to be appointed by the President is required to serve on a full-time basis with the rank and emoluments of an undersecretary.
Members from non-governmental organizations representing their respective sectors have also been increased to 12 from 10 with the addition of representatives of senior citizens and persons with disability. The others are from labor, business and industry, science and health, education or academe, urban poor, indigenous people, farmers and fisherfolks; media, culture and arts; and youth.
The PCW secretariat will be headed by an executive director and assisted by two deputy executive directors.
The order said the heads of the following government agencies are authorized to designate their permanent alternates with a rank not lower than assistant secretary to represent them during commission meetings and other official functions:
– Department of Agriculture
– Department of Budget and Management
– Department of Education
– Department of Foreign Affairs
– Department of Health
– Department of Interior and Local Government
– Department of Labor and Employment
– Department of Social Welfare and Development
– Department of Trade and Industry; and
– National Economic and Development Authority
Meanwhile, the incumbent members of the commission shall continue to hold office unless replaced or removed by the President.
The Philippine Commission on Women, formerly known as the National Commission on the Role of Filipino Women (NCRFW) is the primary policymaking and coordinating body on women and gender equality concerns.
