EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 159
EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 159 - CREATING
THE PRESIDENTIAL MIDDLE EAST PREPAREDNESS COMMITTEE AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES
WHEREAS,
the increasing tension in the Middle East may cause economic
instability and related ramification on the country’s national security
and development;
WHEREAS, the safety and welfare of some 1.4 million overseas Filipino
workers in the Middle East is of primordial concern to the national
government;
WHEREAS, it is thus of critical importance that there is a focused and
deliberate response to the developments in the Middle East;
WHEREAS, coordination between and among agencies engaged in the
development of appropriate responses must be enhanced to efficiently
address the situation;
WHEREAS, under Sec. 31, Chapter 10, Title III, Book III of the
Administrative Code of 1987, the President has the continuing authority
to reorganize the functions of the Office of the
President;
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. Creation. — There is hereby created a
Presidential Middle East Preparedness Committee (PMEPC) under the
Office of the President.
Sec. 2. Function. — The PMEPC shall, in relation
with the critical developments in the Middle East, prepare the
appropriate responses, formulate policies, develop modes for
coordination, put into effect all plans approved by the President and
monitor their implementation accordingly, in coordination with the
Department of Foreign Affairs.
Sec. 3. Composition. — The PMEPC shall be composed
of the following:
Special
envoy to the Middle East, Office of the President
Chairman
Representative from the Department of Foreign Affairs Vice-Chairman
Representative from the Department of National Defense Member
Representative from the Department of
Energy
Member
Representative from the Department of Labor and
Employment Member
Representative from the Department of Health
Member
Representative from the Department of Social Welfare &
Development
Member
Representative from the Armed Forces of the
Philippines
Member
Three (3) Representatives from the Private
Sector
Members
Sec. 4. Powers of the Committee. — In pursuit of
its main function as defined in Sec. 2 hereof, the Committee shall
have the responsibility and authority to:
a.
Undertake continuing assessment, update preparedness plans and provide
policies and analyses that shall respond to the safety and welfare of
the 1.4 million Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in the Middle East;
b. Develop and
adopt interactive operating arrangements designed to effect maximum
coordination among agencies in the implementation of preparedness
plans, with utmost economy and efficiency;
c. Formulate
strategies to coordinate and integrate agency plans, and supervise
actions to ensure responsible and measured responses to effect the
proper political, military and economic resolution of concerns that may
arise in the crisis;
d. Direct and
conduct appropriate crisis and preparedness management plans as may be
ordered by the President;
e. Cause or
direct the immediate resolution of potential economic, military and
political issues the President may refer to the Committee from time to
time, and monitor its progress;
f. Call upon
any department, bureau, office or other agency of government for
assistance; and
g. Exercise
such other functions and powers as may be assigned by the
President.
Sec. 5. Secretariat. — There is hereby established
a Secretariat of the Committee in the Office of the President. The
Secretariat shall provide administrative and related support services
to the Committee. The Secretariat shall be headed by an Executive
Director, to be appointed by the President, upon the recommendation of
the Committee Chairman.
Sec. 6. Inter-Agency Task Forces. — The Committee
may create Inter-Agency Task Forces here and abroad to be composed of
selected personnel from the public and private sector, subject to the
approval of the President.
Sec. 7. Implementing Rules and Guidelines. — The
Committee shall adopt such rules and operating guidelines, subject to
the approval of the President, as are necessary for the effective and
efficient implementation of this Executive Order.
Sec. 8. Funding. — The Committee shall be provided
with an initial annual allocation of FIFTY MILLION PESOS
(P50,000,000.00) for its administrative and operational expenses, to be
drawn from the contingency fund of the Office of the President.
Additional financial requirements that may be needed by the Committee
shall be sourced out by the Department of Budget and Management from
available funds of the concerned agencies outlined in this Order,
subject to the usual government accounting and auditing rules and
regulations.
Sec. 9. Duration. — Unless otherwise directed by
the President, the PMEPC shall exist for a period not exceeding twelve
(12) months from the date hereof.
Sec. 10. Repeal. — All other rules, regulations
and issuances or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this
Executive Order are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
Sec. 11. Effectivity. — This Order shall take
effect immediately upon approval.
DONE in the City of Manila,
this 2rd day of December, in the year of our Lord, Two Thousand and Two.
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Since 19.07.98.