I Muslim Filipino communities; when so authorized, represent the President on 2 matters concerning Muslim Filipino communities; serve as a link between the 3 President and public or private agencies, internal or external, that are involved in 4 such programs and projects; and recommend such affirmative actions as may be 5 necessary for their efficient and effective implementation; 6 (b) Undertake and coordinate development programs and projects for the advancement 7 of Muslim Filipino communities, including designing, implementing and maintaining 8 settlements for Muslim Filipino communities; 9 (c) Act as the primary government agency through which Muslim Filipinos can seek IO government assistance and redress; serve as the medium through which such II assistance. may be extended to Muslim Filipinos; for this purpose, the Commission 12 is hereby authorized, subject to existing auditing rules and regulations, to give 13 grants-in-aid out of its appropriations or other appropriate funds to cooperating 14 government agencies for such programs or projects for the development of Muslim 15 Filipino communities; provide services including legal assistance, medical aid, relief 16 and other forms of assistance for socio-economic upliftment of Muslim Filipino 17 communities; 18 (d) Enter, subject to existing laws, policies and guidelines, into such contracts, I9 agreements or arrangements with government or private agencies or entities as 20 may be necessary to attain the objectives of the Commission; 21 (e) In accordance with pertinent laws, rules and regulations then in force, and subject to 22 guidelines provided by the President, promote and enhance the development of 23 domestic trade and commerce among the members of the Muslim Filipino 24 communities; or promote or facilitate the establishment by members of the Muslim 25 Filipino communities of venture and investments in cooperation or coordination with 26 existing public enterprises, corporations or private entities, or subject to prior 21 approval of the President, initiate andlor organize, in accordance with pertinent 28 laws, rules and regulations then in force, enterprises based on the principles of 29 Islamic business and finance consistent with existing policies and guidelines for the 30 benefit and welfare of the regions of autonomy; 31 32 33 34 (f) Recommend to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) the proposed expenditure for the development of all Muslim Filipino communities; (9) Develop criteria for allocating additional resources for education, economic and cultural development programs; 35 (h) Monitor and evaluate the performance of all existing policies and development 36 programs of the government that seek to strengthen and uplift the socio-economic 37 conditions of Muslim Filipinos and identify areas that need government intervention 18 and support; 3