Joint Agreement in Support of Socioeconomic Projects of Private Development Organizations and Institutes

March 16,1998

This JOINT AGREEMENT IN SUPPORT OF SOCIOECONOMIC PROJECTS OF PRIVATE DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATIONS AND INSTITUTES is being entered into by and between:

The GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES,
hereinafter referred to as the GRP, through its Negotiating Panel
headed by its Chairperson, Howard Q. Dee;

and

The NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC FRONT OF THE PHILIPPINES,
hereinafter referred to as the NDFP, through its Negotiating Panel
headed by its Chairperson, Luis G. Jalandoni.

WHEREAS, both Parties are desirous of assisting private development organizations and institutes engaged in programs, projects and activities for the Filipino people’s empowerment and for their socioeconomic development; and

WHEREAS, these organizations and institutes are beneficial to the people and are helpful in laying the ground for a just and lasting peace.

NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the foregoing premises, the Parties hereby agree as follows:

ARTICLE I
RESPECT, ENCOURAGEMENT AND SUPPORT

Section 1. The GRP shall respect, encourage and extend appropriate support to such private development organizations and institutes that carry out programs, projects and activities in pursuit of all or any of the following aims and purposes:
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1.1. To promote and lay the ground for a just and lasting peace based on the Filipino people’s empowerment and their economic, social and cultural development;

1.2. To engage in research and planning for the Filipino people’s empowerment and their economic, social and cultural development and to make recommendations on the basis of such studies and planning;

1.3. To undertake programs and projects for the promotion and protection of human rights in general and particularly the rights of workers, peasants, women, youth, children and indigenous peoples as well as the protection of the environment;

1.4. To undertake programs and projects of relief, rehabilitation and development beneficial to communities, families and individuals who have been victimized by human rights violations or whose incomes are below the poverty line;

1.5. To promote rural and urban cooperatives among the poor in order to make them self‑reliant and allow them to raise their standard of living;

1.6. To generate the means of livelihood or employment for victims of human rights violations and released political detainees;

1.7. To cooperate with other entities that are genuinely committed to advancing the rights and interests of the people; and

1.8. To carry out such other aims and purposes as are related to the foregoing.
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Section 2. The aforesaid organizations and institutes, hereinafter referred to as the “organizations,” shall be self‑governing and independent, as may be provided for in their respective charters. In order to transact business and carry on their work, they shall take an appropriate legal status and juridical personality.

Section 3. The organizations and institutes referred to in the preceding section are legitimate organizations entitled to all the rights, privileges, protection and legal remedies enjoyed by other similar organizations.

Accordingly, they and their personnel shall not be subjected to discrimination or any other form of prejudicial action.

ARTICLE II
FUNDING AND RESOURCES

Section 1. The organizations shall raise, manage and use such financial and other resources as necessary to be able to carry out their programs, projects and activities.

Section 2. The organizations shall have access to such sources of funding and resources as are available to similar organizations in the Philippines and abroad.

ARTICLE III
GENERAL PROVISIONS

Section 1. This Joint Agreement is being entered into in accordance with The Hague Joint Declaration.

Section 2. The obligations arising from the provisions of this Joint Agreement shall become effective and binding upon the approval hereof by the respective Principals of the GRP and NDFP Negotiating Panels.

Section 3. The Negotiating Panels or representatives of both Parties may consult each other regarding organizations to be assisted under this Agreement and execute such additional joint agreements or undertakings as may be necessary to implement this Agreement.

The GRP and the organizations concerned shall work out the modalities of implementation.

DONE on the 16th of March 1998 in The Hague, The Netherlands.

FOR THE                                                                                   FOR THE
GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC                                      NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC FRONT
OF THE PHILIPPINES                                                             OF THE PHILIPPINES

By:

Amb. HOWARD Q. DEE                                                           LUIS G. JALANDONI
Chairperson, GRP Negotiating Panel                                   Chairperson, NDFP Negotiating Panel

Rep. JOSE V. YAP                                                                      FIDEL V. AGCAOILI
Member                                                                                    Member

Sec. SILVESTRE H. BELLO III                                                   CONI K. LEDESMA
Member                                                                                    Member

Atty. RENE V. SARMIENTO                                                      ASTERIO B. PALIMA
Member                                                                                    Member

Ms. ZENAIDA H. PAWID                                                           JOJO S. MAGDIWANG
Member                                                                                    Member

WITNESSES:

Hon. JOSE C. DE VENECIA                                                        JOSE MA. SISON
Speaker, House of Representative                                       Chief Political Consultant
GRP                                                                                            NDFP Negotiating Panel

Usec. A. WILFREDO CLEMENTE                                              ANTONIO L. ZUMEL
DECS, GRP                                                                                 Senior Adviser                                                                                                                                                   NDFP Negotiating Panel

Ms. MA. CARLA L. MUNSAYAC                                               ROMEO T. CAPULONG
Executive Director                                                                   General Counsel
GRP Negotiating Panel Secretariat                                       NDFP Negotiating Panel