9 may provide additional functions to enhance and protect the human rights of all the people in the autonomous region. Thereafter, subject to availability of funds, the Regional Assembly may raise the salaries, perquisites, and privileges of the chair and commissioners. SEC. 17. Environmental Protection and Sustainable Development. – The protection, rehabilitation, and the sustainable development of forests, coastal, and marine resources, including the adoption of programs and projects to ensure the maintenance of ecological balance, shall be given priority. ARTICLE IV Powers of Government SECTION 1. Powers and Functions. – Subject to the provisions of the Constitution, the Regional Government shall exercise those powers and functions expressly granted to it in this Organic Act, or necessary for or incidental to the proper governance and development of all the constituent units within the autonomous region consistent with the policy on regional and local autonomy and decentralization. The Regional Government may enact its own regional administrative code and regional local government code consistent with the Constitution. The powers and functions already vested upon and the shares of the national taxes provided by Republic Act No. 7160, the Local Government Code of 1991, to provinces, cities, municipalities, and barangay in the autonomous region shall not be reduced. SEC. 2. Corporate Entity. – The autonomous region is a corporate entity with jurisdiction over all matters devolved to it by the Constitution and this Organic Act. SEC. 3. Scope of Regional Assembly Legislative Power; Exceptions. – The Regional Assembly may exercise legislative power in the autonomous region for the benefit of the people and for the development of the region except on the following matters: