SEC. 5. Powers and Functions. To accomplish shall have the followi~pow~rs and functions: the Certify, Provide advice and assistance to the its PresLdent mandate, in Office the formula~i~on, coordination, implementation, and monitoring of policies, plans, programs and projects affecting the northern cultural commu?ities; serve as the link between the President and agencies, public or private, intern-el. O-r external, involve'd in suc.h programs and projects;and, rec.-ommend such affirmative actions as may be necessary for their efficient and effective implementation; Undertake 'aad coordinate develooment programs -and projects adv'ao'cement of .northern, cultural communities, including implementing and maintaining sett~ements for: L~em; ( for thejesigning, Serve as the primary government agency through which the northern cult~ral communities can seek government assistance and serve as the medium through which such assistanc.e may be exteLlded to them; Serve as the custodian and administrator in charge of all existing Office for Northern Cultural Communities settlementsJ subdivi.sionsJ allocations and distribution of public lands and those which shall here-inafter be reserved by the President of the Philippines for the northern ~ultural communities including ancestral lands as provided for (e by law; Enter, subject to existing laws, policies and guidelines, into such contracts, ag=e:e:ments, or arrangements, with government ."r private: age!lc.~s or: entities as may be necessary to attain the objectives of the Office, including obtaining loans from lending instLtutions, subject to the approval of the President of the Philippines, which shall finance the implementation of the provisions of this ExecutiveOrder; Accept grants, donations, gifts, funds and/or properties in whatever form and from whatever source, for the benefit of the northern cultural communitiest and administer the same in accordance with the terms thereof, or in the absence of any conditLon, in such manner consistent with the interests of the northern cultural communities as well as existing laws; (g) Undertake studies, and projects for and formu~te policies the preservation cul..t.~r,al- heritage .;and' maintain the culture aQd institutions may be necessary; agencies of northern ethnographic of the and plans and and development cultural impl~ment of the communities as programs historical well research cent-ers and museums rlorthern cultural communities asestablit1i' on as whenever appropriate, .membership o~_perso~~ belonging to thenorthexn cuLtural c-ommuffitre:s--FOr purposes of establishingqualif-ications for specific requirements of government and private and for other bene-fits as may be provided 1>Y law;

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