EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 195 - PROVIDING FOR THE CREATION OF AN INTER-AGENCY TASK FORCE FOR THE COORDINATION OF PHILIPPINE HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE TO IRAQ

WHEREAS, the Philippines, as a member of the United Nations, has actively contributed to and participated in the various initiatives of the UN Security Council aimed at providing assistance to Iraq as stipulated in UNSC Resolutions 661 (1990), 985 (1995), 1284 (1999), 1472 (2003) and other relevant resolutions; 

WHEREAS, the Philippines has contributed significantly to the United Nations initiatives for Iraq as evidenced by the deployment of elements of the Armed Forces for Iraq (UNGCI) for service as a humanitarian assistance protection force, as well as participation in the “Oil for Food” Program for Iraq;

WHEREAS, there is a need to coordinate the Philippine Government’s efforts aimed at contributing to the immediate humanitarian needs to the Iraqi people;

NOW THEREFORE I, GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, President of the Republic of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby order the creation of an Inter-Agency Task Force for the Coordination of Philippine Humanitarian Assistance to Iraq.

Section 1. Composition. — The Task Force shall be comprised of the following officials (or their duly-designated representatives):

Secretary of Foreign Affairs   Chairman

Secretary of National Defense    Co-Chairman

Special Envoy, Middle East Preparedness Team Executive Director

Secretary of Health     Member

Secretary of Interior and Local Government   Member

Secretary of Social Welfare and Development    Member

Chief of Staff, Armed Forces of the Philippine    Member

Director-General, Philippine National Police     Member

Executive Director, Office of Muslim Affairs Member

The Philippine Ambassadors to Iraq and Kuwait  Members

Other Officials to be designated by the President Members

Sec. 2. Role. — It is recognized that international assistance to Iraq will be done in an environment which will undergo three general stages: one, the present action led by the Office of Reconstruction and Humanitarian Assistance (ORHA); two, the establishment of the interim authority in Iraq; and three, establishment and/or re-establishment of United Nations assistance and related programs in Iraq.

The Task Force shall immediately formulate a consolidated plan of proposed Philippine Assistance for the immediate needs of the Iraqi nation, taking into account the evolving assistance environment. Such assistance shall include:

a. Philippine participation in UN, ORHA and other humanitarian, medical and related activities for Iraq. 

b. Other relevant Philippine participation for assistance to Iraq.

a. Conclusion of arrangements with receiving/host governments whereby the Philippine personnel contingent in Iraq are not put at personal risk from application of local law when deployed abroad upon orders;

b. Conduct of public information, education and communication campaign on the hazards and risk, if any, involved in the sending of peacekeeping/humanitarian missions.