EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 43 - AUTHORIZING THE PHILIPPINE ECONOMIC AND CULTURAL CENTER TO ASSIST IN THE PERFORMANCE OF CERTAIN FUNCTIONS

WHEREAS, the Philippine Economic and Cultural Center is a private non-stock corporation organized under the laws of the Republic of the Philippines, among the corporate purposes of which is the promotion of the socio-economic welfare of Filipinos throughout Southeast Asia;

WHEREAS, there is a substantial number of Filipinos and Philippine juridical persons in Sabah;

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. Authority. — The Philippine Economic and Cultural Center is hereby authorized to assist in the performance of the following functions:

a) Disseminate information about the Philippines and facilitate cooperation between the Philippines and Malaysia in various fields and endeavors;

b) Promote the welfare of and assist Filipinos and Philippine juridical persons in Sabah in respect of labor, security, trade, investment, economic, tourism, cultural, educational and other matters;

c) Conduct periodic assessments of the social and economic conditions in Sabah and their effects on the Filipinos in Sabah; and

d) Draw-up and recommend effective mechanisms that will facilitate the travel of Filipinos to and from Sabah.