Malacaņang
Manila
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES
EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 468
REVITALIZING THE VOLUNTEER PROBATION AIDE (VPA) PROGRAM OF THE PAROLE
AND PROBATION ADMINISTRATION
WHEREAS, one of the major governance reform initiatives of the government is the development of a justice system that
is responsive and accessible to the poor and disadvantaged by strengthening the other pillars of justice through reforms in
the Department of Justice;
WHEREAS, there is a need to heighten and maximize community involvement and participation in the community-based program
of probation and parole in the prevention of crime, the treatment of offenders, and criminal justice administration;
WHEREAS, there is a need to change the emphasis of crime prevention from being a police work to being a collective
concern of the entire community;
WHEREAS, Presidential Decree 968, otherwise known as the Probation Law of 1976, as amended, authorizes the appointment
of citizens of good repute and probity to act as volunteer probation aides, thus, there is a great need to implement the VPA
program at the local level as practical and effective means of involving the community, it being the fifth pillar of the criminal
justice system;
WHEREAS, it is necessary to amplify and
diversify community human resources in meeting the rehabilitation needs of offenders.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, President of the Philippines,
by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby order:
SECTION 1. Revitalization of the Volunteer Probation
Aide (VPA) Program. – The volunteer probation aide program shall hereby be revitalized by the Parole and Probation Administration
(PPA) to strengthen community involvement and participation in crime prevention, treatment of offenders, and the administration
of criminal justice.
SECTION 2. Recruitment, Selection, Training and Appointment of Volunteer Probation Aides. – The PPA shall continue
to vigorously recruit, select, train and appoint citizens of good repute and probity to effectively provide assistance and
other specialized services to the Administration in the supervision and rehabilitation of offenders and along the area of
crime prevention.
SECTION 3. Coordination with Other Government Agencies, Non-Government Organizations and People’s Organization.
– The PPA shall coordinate with other government agencies, non-government organizations and people’s organizations
that are involved in developing programs related to volunteerism for the purpose of developing programs related to volunteerism
and of attaining program impact and synergy. Specifically, the support and cooperation of the Philippine National Volunteer
Service Coordinating Agency, the Department of the Interior and Local Government, the Philippine National Police Community
Relations Office, the National Police Commission, the Liga ng mga Barangay, the Department of Social Welfare and Development,
and the National Prosecution Service of the Department of Justice, among others, shall be tapped for the foregoing purpose.
SECTION 4. Review and Revision of Rules and Regulations. – The PPA is hereby directed to review the applicable
rules and regulations relative to the volunteer probation aide program. In accordance with the provisions of the Administrative
Code of 1987 and the Probation Law of 1976, as amended, the PPA shall establish and prescribe, subject to the approval of
the Secretary of Justice, new rules and regulations to govern the volunteer probation aide program of PPA.
SECTION 5. Adjustment in Organization, System and Operations. – Within ninety (90) days from effectivity of this
Executive Order, the PPA shall review its existing organization, system and operations and submit a sreport with its recommendations
to the Secretary of Justice, who shall review and endorse the same to the Office of the President for approval. Any changes
in organization and staffing shall be sourced from the existing personnel itemization of the PPA subject to the approval of
the Department of Budget and Management and to the requirements of the rationalization plan of the government.
SECTION 6. Funding. – The financial resources for any changes in organization and staffing shall be taken from
available funds of the PPA.
SECTION 7. Repealing Clause. – All executive orders, instructions, rules and regulations or parts thereof which
are contrary or inconsistent with the provisions of this Executive Order are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
SECTION 8. Effectivity -
This Executive Order shall take effect immediately.
DONE in the City of Manila, this 11th day
of October, in the year of Our Lord Two Thousand and Five.
By the President:
(SGD) EDUARDO R. ERMITA
(SGD) GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO
Executive Secretary President
Republic
of the Philippines
