Section 9Sec./Art. 9

The Secretariat. - The Board shall have a permanent Secretariat under an Executive Officer, who shall be appointed by the Board.

The authority and responsibility for the day-to-day management and direction of the operations of the affairs of the Board shall be vested in the Executive Officer. The Executive Officer shall be assisted by a Deputy Executive Officer. Both the Executive Officer and the Deputy Executive Officer shall be appointed by the President of the Philippines. They shall hold office unless sooner terminated in accordance with applicable laws.

No person shall be appointed Executive Officer and Deputy Executive Officer of the Board unless he is a citizen of the Philippines, at least thirty (30) years of age, and of established competence and integrity.

The Executive Officer shall have the following powers and functions:

a. Execute, administer and implement the policies and measures approved by the Board;

b. Direct and manage the affairs and operations of the Board;

c. Submit within thirty (30) days after the close of every calendar year an annual report to the Board and such other reports it may require;

d. Submit an annual budget and such supplemental budgets as may be necessary to the Board for its consideration and approval;

e. Represent the Board in all transactions with other offices, agencies, and instrumentalities of government and with all persons and other entities, public or private, domestic or foreign;

f. Appoint, subject to the confirmation of the Board, and discipline for cause in accordance with Civil Service laws, rules and regulations, the Board's officers and personnel below the level of Deputy Executive Officer;

g. Delegate in writing, authority, as may be necessary, to subordinate officers and personnel of the Board; and

h. Perform such other duties as may be assigned to him by the Board which, according to its sound discretion, are necessary for the efficient and effective implementation of this Act.

The Deputy Executive Officer shall have the following powers and functions: assist the Executive Officer in the discharge of his powers and functions; act as Executive Officer during the Executive Officer's absence, sickness or other temporary disability; and discharge such other powers and perform such other functions as may be required by the Executive Officer or the Board.

The structural and functional organization, compensation plan, and the staffing pattern of the Secretariat shall be approved by the Board upon the recommendation of the Executive Officer. The Board may create, abolish, merge, or otherwise reorganize positions therein as may be necessary for the economical, effective and efficient discharge of its functions and responsibilities subject to existing laws.