Signed on 

November 11, 1987

MALACAÑANG
MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 309

REORGANIZING THE PEACE AND ORDER COUNCIL

WHEREAS, the threat to peace and order posed by criminality, insurgency and subversion requires the
dedicated efforts of all government official and citizens;

WHEREAS, it is the duty of local governments, the law enforcement agencies, the prosecution services, and
similar institutions of Government to assist the Chief Executive in the proper enforcement of the laws and the
administration of justice;

WHEREAS, Government efforts at peace and order need to be fully coordinated to effectively prevent and
suppress criminality and to maintain public order and safety in the land;

WHEREAS, the participation of the citizenry in peace and order is of critical importance;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, CORAZON C. AQUINO, President of the Republic of the Philippines, by virtue of the
powers vested in me by the Constitution and the laws, do order and direct the following:

SECTION 1. Reorganization of the Peace and Order Council. – The Peace and Order Council is hereby
reorganized on the national, regional, provincial, city and municipal levels of government to be constituted as
follows:

(a) The National Peace and Order Council shall be composed of the following:

– The Secretary of Local Government as Chairman;

– The Secretary of National Defense as Vice-Chairman
– The Secretary of Justice;
– The Secretary of Social Welfare and Development;
– The Press Secretary
– The Director of the National Security Council;
– The Chairman of the Commission on Human Rights;
– The Chairman of the National Peace Commission
– The Director of the National Bureau of Investigation
– The Executive Director of the Dangerous Drugs Board;
– The AFP Chief of Staff;
– The Chief of the Philippine Constabulary; and
– Three (3) representatives from the private sector who shall be appointed by the Chairman, representing the
academic, civic and religious organizations.

(b) The Regional Peace and Order Council shall be composed of the regional counterparts of the departments,
offices and agencies enumerated in paragraph (a) above, wherever applicable, to be appointed by their
respective agency heads, with the Regional Director of the Department of Local Government as Chairman. The
Chairman of the Regional Peace and Order Council shall appoint the three (3) representatives of the private
sector, upon consultation with the members of the Council. Departments, offices and agencies with no regional
and/or field offices may deputize their representatives on the sub-national levels.

(c) The Provincial Peace and Order Council shall be composed of the Provincial counterparts of the department,
offices and agencies as enumerated in paragraph (a) above, wherever applicable, to be appointed by their
respective agency heads, with the Provincial Governor as Chairman. In addition, there shall be one
representative of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan to be chosen by it from among its members. The Chairman of
the Provincial Peace and Order Council shall appoint the three (3) representatives of the private sector, upon
consultation with the members of the Council at his level. Departments, offices and agencies with no provincial
and/or field offices may deputize their representatives on the provincial level.

(d) The City or Municipal Peace and Order Council shall be composed of the city or municipal counterparts of
the departments, offices and agencies as enumerated in paragraph (a) above, wherever applicable, to be
appointed by their respective agency heads, with the City or Municipal Mayor as Chairman. In addition, there
shall be one representative of the Sangguniang Panlungsod or Sangguniang Bayan, as the case may be, to be
chosen by said Sangguniang from among its members. The Chairman of the City or Municipal Peace and Order
Council shall appoint the three (3) representatives of the private sector, upon consultation with the members of
the Council at his level. Departments, offices and agencies with no city, municipal and/or field offices may
deputize their representatives on the city or municipal levels.

SECTION 2. Responsibility of the National Peace and Order Council. – The Peace and Order Council at the
national level shall be responsible for the following functions:

(a) To prepare and recommend for the approval of the President, proposals, measures, thrusts and strategies that
would effectively respond to peace and order problems.

(b) To coordinate and monitor peace and order plans, projects and the operation of Civilian Volunteer Self-
Defense Organizations and such other counter-insurgency programs and activities.

(c) To perform such other duties and functions as the President may direct.

SECTION 3. Duties and Functions of Sub-National Councils. – The Regional, Provincial and City/Municipal
Peace and Order Councils shall have the following duties and functions:

(a) Formulate plans and recommend such measures which will improve or enhance peace and order and public
safety in their respective areas of responsibility.

(b) To monitor the implementation of peace and order programs and projects at the provincial, city or municipal
levels and the operation of Civilian Volunteer Self-Defense Organizations and such other counter-insurgency
programs and activities.

(c) Make periodic assessments of the prevailing peace and order situation in their respective areas of
responsibility and submit a report thereon with recommendations to the Chairman of the National Peace and
Order Council.

(d) Perform all other functions assigned by law, the President, or the National Peace and Order Council.

SECTION 4. Peace and Order Council Secretariat. – There shall be a Peace and Order Council Secretariat
which shall handle the administrative and technical activities of the Peace and Order Council that is organized
in the various administrative levels of government. Specifically, the Secretariat shall prepare plans and
programs for the consideration of the Councils; supervise, direct and monitor, for the Council, implementation
of approved policies, plans and programs; undertake liaisoning and coordination of activities with appropriate
agencies of the government and provide a forum for inter-disciplinary dialogue and deliberation of major issues
and problems affecting peace and order.

The Chairman of the National Police Commission shall act as the Secretary General, and shall be assisted in his
functions and duties by the regular staff personnel of the National Police Commission and by the representatives
of the various government offices and agencies composing the National Peace and Order Council.

SECTION 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – The National Peace and Order Council shall issue
appropriate implementing rules and regulations to carry out this Order.

SECTION 6. Repealing Clause. – All prior issuances on the organization and functions of the Peace and Order
Council inconsistent herewith shall be deemed superseded by this Order.

SECTION 7. Effectivity. -The reorganization of the Peace and Order Council as herein provided shall take
effect immediately and be completed within thirty (30) days thereafter.

DONE in the City of Manila, this 11th day of November, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and eighty-
seven.

(Sgd.) CORAZON C. AQUINO
President of the Philippines

By the President:

(Sgd.) CATALINO MACARAIG, JR.

Acting Executive Secretary
Source: Presidential Management Staff

Office of the President of the Philippines. (1987). [Executive Order Nos. : 171 – 390]. Manila : Presidential
Management Staff.

Signed on February 5, 1988

MALACAÑANG
MANILA
 BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 317

AMENDING SECTIONS 1, 3 AND 4 OF EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 309, S. 1987 ENTITLED

“REORGANIZING THE PEACE AND ORDER COUNCIL”

WHEREAS, there is a need to clarify certain provisions of Executive Order No. 309 and to expand the
membership of the Peace and Order Council, in order to ensure more comprehensive and effective coordination
of government efforts and the active participation of citizenry relative to the conduct of national campaign
against criminality and insurgency;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, CORAZON C. AQUINO, President of the Philippines, do hereby order:

SECTION 1. Section 1 of Executive Order No. 309 is hereby amended to read as follows:

“Section 1. Reorganization of the Peace and Order Council. The Peace and Order Council is hereby reorganized
on the national, regional, provincial, city and municipal levels of government to be constituted as follows:

(a) The National Peace and Order Council (NPOC) shall be composed of the following:

– The Secretary of Local Government as Chairman;

– The Secretary of National Defense as Vice-Chairman;

– The Secretary of Justice;

– The Secretary of Social Welfare and Development;

– The Secretary of Public Works and Highways

– The Secretary of Trade and Industry

– The Press Secretary

– The Director of the National Security Council;

– The Chairman of the National Peace Commission;

– The Director of the National Bureau of Investigation;

– The Chairman of the National Police Commission;

– The Chairman of the Commission on Human Rights;

– The Executive Director of the Dangerous Drugs Board;

– The AFP Chief of Staff;

– The Chief of Constabulary/Director General, INP; and

– Eight (8) representatives from the private sector who shall be appointed by the Chairman, representing the
academic, civic, religious, youth, labor, legal, business and media organizations.

(b) The Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) shall be composed of the regional counterparts of the
departments, offices and agencies enumerated in paragraph (a) above, their respective agency heads. The RPOC
Chairman and Vice-Chairman shall be appointed by the Chairman of the NOPC.

The Chairman of the RPOC shall appoint at least three (3) representatives from the private sector as enumerated
under paragraph (a) above, upon consultation with the members of the RPOC. Departments, offices, and
agencies with no regional and/or field offices may deputize their representatives on the sub-national levels.

(c) The Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) shall be composed of the provincial counterparts of the
departments, offices and agencies enumerated in paragraph (a) above, wherever applicable, to be appointed by
their respective agency heads, with the Provincial Governor as Chairman and the Provincial Vice-Governor as
Vice-Chairman. In addition, there shall be one representative of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan to be chosen by
it from among its members.

The Chairman of the Provincial Peace and Order Council shall appoint at least three (3) representatives of the
private sector as enumerated under paragraph (a) above, upon consultation with the members of the Council at
his level (PPOC). Departments, offices and agencies with no regional and/or field offices may deputize their
representatives on the provincial level.

(d) The City or Municipal Peace and Order Council shall be composed of the city or municipal counterparts of
the departments, offices and agencies as enumerated in paragraph (a) above, wherever applicable, to be
appointed by their respective agency heads with the City or Municipal Mayor as Chairman and the respective
Vice-Mayor as Vice-Chairman. In addition, there shall be one representative of the Sangguniang Panglungsod
or Sangguniang Bayan, as the case may be, to be chosen by said Sanggunian from among its members. The
Chairman of the COPC or MPOC shall appoint one representative from the Veterans group of the locality and at
least three (3) representatives of the private sector as enumerated under paragraph (a) above, upon consultation
with the members of the Council at his level (CPOC or MPOC). Departments, offices and agencies with no
regional and/or field offices may deputize their representatives on the city or municipal levels.

SECTION 3. Section 3 of Executive Order No. 309 is hereby amended to read as follows:

“Section 3. Duties and functions of Sub-National Councils. The Regional, Provincial and City/Municipal Peace
and Order Councils shall have the following duties and functions:

(a) Formulate plans and recommend such measures which will improve or enhance peace and order and public
safety in their respective areas of responsibility.

(b) To monitor the implementation of peace and order programs and projects at the provincial, city or municipal
levels and the operation of Civilian Volunteer Self-Defense Organizations and such other counter-insurgency
programs and activities.

(c) Make periodic assessments of the prevailing peace and order situation in their respective areas of
responsibility and submit a report thereon with recommendations to the Chairman of the National Peace and
Order Council.

(d) To receive complaints against government personnel, civilian or military, and indorse the same to the
agency concerned and demand/compel such agency to submit report of action taken thereon.

SECTION 4. Section 4 of Executive Order No. 309 is hereby amended to read as follows:

“Section 4. Peace and Order Council Secretariat. There shall be a Peace and Order Council Secretariat which
shall handle the administrative and technical activities of the Peace and Order Council that is organized in the
various administrative levels of government. Specifically, the Secretariat shall prepare plans and programs for
the consideration of the Councils; supervise, direct and monitor, for the Council implementation of approved
policies, plans and programs; undertake liaisoning and coordination of activities with appropriate agencies of
the government and provide a forum for inter-disciplinary dialogue and deliberation of major issues and
problems affecting peace and order.

The national and regional offices of the NAPOLCOM shall serve as the secretariat of the NPOC and RPOC,
respectively, with the Chairman of the NAPOLCOM Acting as the Secretary-General at the national level and
the NAPOLCOM Regional Director Acting as head of the RPOC Secretariat.

At the provincial, city and municipal levels, the Secretariat of the PPOC, CPOC and MPOC shall be headed by
the most senior DLG officer stationed in the province, city or municipality.

The Secretariat, at all levels shall be assisted in its functions and duties by the regular staff of the office of the
Council Chairman.”

SECTION 5. This Executive Order shall take effect immediately.

Done in the City of Manila, this 5th day of February in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and eighty-eight.

(Sgd.) CORAZON C. AQUINO
President of the Philippines
By the President:

(Sgd.) CATALINO MACARAIG, JR.

Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Management Staff

Office of the President of the Philippines. (1988). [Executive Order Nos. : 171 – 390]. Manila : Presidential
Management Staff.

Executive Order No. 320, s. 1988

Signed on March 11, 1988

MALACAÑANG
MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

 EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 320

AMENDING EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 309, S. 1987, ENTITLED “REORGANIZING THE PEACE
AND ORDER COUNCIL”, AS AMENDED BY EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 317, S. 1988

WHEREAS, there is a need to further amend Executive Order No. 309 in order to ensure more comprehensive
and effective coordination of government efforts and the active participation of citizenry relative to the conduct
of national campaign against criminality and insurgency;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, CORAZON C. AQUINO, President of the Philippines, do hereby order:

SECTION 1. Section 1 of Executive Order No. 309 is further amended to read as follows:

“Section 1. Reorganization of the Peace and Order Council. The Peace and Order Council is hereby reorganized
on the national, regional, provincial, city and municipal levels of government to be constituted as follows:

(a) The National Peace and Order Council (NPOC) shall be composed of the following:

– The Secretary of Local Government as Chairman;

– The Secretary of national Defense as Vice-Chairman;
– The Secretary of Justice;
– The Secretary of Social welfare and Development;
– The Secretary of Public Works and Highways;
– The Secretary of Trade and Industry;
– The Press Secretary;
– The Director of the National Security Council;
– The Chairman of the National Peace Commission;
– The Director of the National Bureau of Investigation;
– The Chairman of the National Police Commission;
– The Chairman of the Commission on Human Rights;
– The Executive Director of the Dangerous Drugs Board;
– The AFP Chief of Staff;
– The Chief of Constabulary/Director General, INP; and
– Eight (8) representatives from the private sector who shall be appointed by the Chairman, representing the
academic, civic, religious, youth, labor, legal, business and media organizations.

(b) A Special Action Committee shall be organized within the NPOC, composed of the Secretary of Local
Government, Secretary of National Defense, Secretary of Social Welfare and Development, Secretary of Justice
and the AFP Chief of Staff, to take decisive action in emergency situations.

(c) The Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) shall be composed of the regional counterparts of the
departments, offices and agencies enumerated in paragraph (a) above, to be appointed by their respective
agency heads. The RPOC Chairman and Vice-Chairman shall be appointed by the Chairman of the NPOC.

The Chairman of the RPOC shall appoint at least three (3) representatives from the private sector as enumerated
under paragraph (a) above, upon consultation with the members of the RPOC. Departments, offices and
agencies with no regional and/or field offices may deputize their representatives on the sub-national level.

(d) The Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) shall be composed of the provincial counterparts of the
departments, offices and agencies enumerated in paragraph (a) above, wherever applicable, to be appointed by
their respective agency heads, with the Provincial Governor as Chairman and the Provincial Vice-Governor as
Vice-Chairman. In addition, there shall be one representative of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan to be chosen by
it from among its members.

The Chairman of the Provincial Peace and Order Council shall appoint at least three (3) representatives of the
private sector as enumerated under paragraph (a) above, upon consultation with the members of the Council at
his level (PPOC). Departments, offices and agencies with no regional and/or field offices may deputize £heir
representatives on the provincial level.

(e) The City or Municipal Peace and Order Council shall be composed of the city or municipal counterparts of
the departments, offices and agencies as enumerated in paragraph (a) above, wherever applicable, to be
appointed by their respective agency heads with the City or Municipal Mayor as Chairman and the respective
Vice-Mayor as Vice-Chairman. In addition, there shall be one representative of the Sangguniang Panglungsod
or Sangguniang Bayan, as the case may be, to be chosen by said Sanggunian from among its members. The
Chairman of the CPOC or MPOC shall appoint one representative from the Veterans group of the locality and at
least three (3) representatives of the private sector as enumerated under paragraph (a) above, upon consultation
with the members of the Council at his level (CPOC or MPOC). Departments, offices and agencies with no
regional and/or field offices may deputize their representatives on the city or municipal levels.”

SECTION 2. Section 3 of Executive Order No. 309 is further amended to read as follows:

“Section 3. Duties and Functions of Sub-National Councils. The Chairman of respective Regional, Provincial,
City, Municipal Peace and Order Councils shall be responsible for the proper management and supervision of
the civilian volunteer organizations in coordination with other appropriate government entities. They shall have
the following duties and functions:

(a) Formulate plans and recommend such measures as will improve or enhance peace and order and public
safety in their respective areas of responsibility.

(b) To monitor the implementation of peace and order programs and projects at the provincial, city or municipal
levels and the operation of Civilian Volunteer Self-Defense Organizations and such other counter-insurgency
programs and activities.

(c) Make periodic assessments of the prevailing peace and order situation in their respective areas of
responsibility and submit a report thereon with recommendations to the Chairman of the National Peace and
Order Council.

(d) To receive complaints against government personnel, civilian, or military, and indorse the same to the
agency concerned and demand/compel such agency to submit reports of action taken thereon.”

SECTION 3. Section 4 of Executive Order No. 309 is furthest amended to read as follows:

“Section 4. Peace and Order Council Secretariat. There shall be a Peace and Order Council Secretariat which
shall handle the administrative operational and technical if activities of the Peace and Order Council that is
organize in the various administrative levels of government. Specifically, the secretariat shall prepare plans and
program for the consideration of the councils; supervise, direct I and monitor, for the council, implementation
of approved policies, plans and programs; undertake liaisoning and coordination of activities with appropriate
agencies of the government and provide a forum for inter-disciplinary dialogue and deliberation of major issues
and problems affecting peace and order.

“The national and regional offices of the NAPOLCOM shall serve as the secretariat of the NPOC and RPOC
respectively, with the Chairman of the NAPOLCOM acting as the Secretary General of the national level and
the NAPOLCOM regional director acting as head of the RPOC Secretariat.

“At the provincial, city and municipal levels, the Secretariat of the PPOC, CPOC and MPOC shall be headed by
the most senior DLG officer stationed in the province, city of municipality.

“The Secretariat at all level, shall be assisted in its functions and duties by the regular staff of the office of the
Council Chairman.

“The government agencies which are members of the NFOC shall create and organize a Task Force for Peace
and Order in their ova departments.”

SECTION 4. Section 5 of Executive Order No. 309 is further amended to read as follows:

“Section 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations. The National Peace and Order Council shall Issue appropriate
implementing rules and regulations to carry out the objectives of this Order.

“The Chairman of the Peace and Order Council upon the direction of the President of the Philippines may be
authorized to issue directives and guidelines to insure an effective implementation of the Rules and
Regulations.”

SECTION 5. This Executive Order shall take effect immediately.

Done in the City of Manila, this 11th day of March in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and eighty-eight.

(Sgd.) CORAZON C. AQUINO
President of the Philippines
By the President:

(Sgd.) CATALINO MACARAIG, JR.

Executive Secretary

Source: Presidential Management Staff

Office of the President of the Philippines. (1988). [Executive Order Nos. : 171 – 390]. Manila : Presidential
Management Staff.

Signed on