Executive Order No. 159, December 23, 2002

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 countrys 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 Section 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.

Section 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.

Section 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

Section 4. Powers of the Committee. – In pursuit of its main function as defined in Section 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.

Section 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.

Section 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.

Section 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.

Section 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.

Section 9. Duration. – Unless otherwise directed by the President, the PMEPC shall exist for a period not exceeding twelve (12) months from the date hereof.

Section 10. Repeal. All other rules, regulations and issuances or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this Executive Order are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

Section 11. Effectivity. – This Order shall take effect immediately upon approval.

DONE in the City of Manila, this 23rd day of December, in the year of our Lord, two thousand and two.

(Sgd.) GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

(Sgd.) ALBERTO G. ROMULO

Executive Secretary