ARTICLE II 2 3 Powers and Functions SEC. 8. Powers and Functions. To accomplish its mandate, the Commission 4 shall have the following powers and functions: 5 (a) Provide advice and assistance to the President in the formulation, coordination, 6 implementation and monitoring of policies, plans, programs and projects affecting 7 Muslim Filipino communities; when so authorized, represent the President on 8 matters concerning Muslim Filipino communities; serve as a link between the 9 President and public or private agencies, internal or external, that are involved in anc~ 10 such programs and projects; recommend such affirmative actions as may 11 be necessary for their efficient and effective implementation; 12 (b) Undertake and coordinate development programs and projects for the 13 advancement of Muslim Filipino communities, including designing, implementing 14 and maintaining settlements for Muslim Filipino communities: Provided, that the 15 Commission shall not take jurisdiction or ownership over lands, and bodies of 16 water traditionally and actually occupied by Indigenous Peoples and within the 17 identified ancestral domains of the National Commission on Indigenous People: 18 Provided further, that lands identified by the Commission shall be used for the 19 purpose of settling the homeless and displaced Muslim families to improve the 20 conditions of the members of the Muslim communities; 21 (c) Act as the primary government agency through which Muslim Filipinos can seek 22 government assistance and redress; serve as the medium through which such 23 assistance may be extended to Muslim Filipinos; for this purpose, the 24 Commission is hereby authorized, subject to existing auditing rules and 25 regulations, to give grants-in-aid out of its appropriations or other appropriate 26 funds to cooperating government agencies for such programs or projects for the 27 development of Muslim Filipino communities; provide services including legal 28 assistance, medical aid, relief and other forms of assistance for socio-economic 29 upliftment of Muslim Filipino communities; 30 (d) Enter, subject to existing laws, policies and guidelines, into such contracts, 31 agreements or arrangements with' government or private agencies or entities as 32 may be necessary to attain the objectives of the Commission; 33 (e) In accordance with pertinent laws, ,ru(es and regulations and subject to guidelines 34 provided by the Office of the President, promote and enhance the development 3