EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 213, May 28, 2003

CREATION OF A PHILIPPINE COORDINATING COMMITTEE TO STUDY THE FEASIBILITY OF THE JAPAN-PHILIPPINES ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT

WHEREAS, the Philippines is determined to improve the state of its economy and eliminate poverty;

WHEREAS, trade expansion and market access are necessary means to spur growth in the Philippines economy and provide increased employment opportunities;

WHEREAS, the Philippines believes that it must deepen regional economic integration to build the foundations for sustainable growth;

WHEREAS, the Philippines and Japan share the vision of an Asian economic integration and are committed to studying the possibility of forging a bilateral economic partnership agreement;

WHEREAS, an economic partnership agreement could promote stronger bilateral economic cooperation not only in trade in goods but also in such fields as tourism, services, investments, human resource development, science and technology, and other areas of interest to both parties.

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:

Section 1. A Philippine Coordinating Committee (PCC) to study the feasibility of the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA) is hereby created.

The PCC shall be composed of representatives from the following government agencies:

1. Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA);

2. Department of Trade and Industry (DTI);

3. Department of Agriculture (DA);

4. Department of Budget and Management (DBM);

5. Department of Education, Culture, and Sports (DECS);

6. Department of Energy (DOE);

7. Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR);

8. Department of Finance (DOF);

9. Department of Health (DOH);

10. Department of Justice (DOJ);

11. Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE);

12. Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH);

13. Department of Science and Technology (DOST);

14. Department of Tourism (DOT);

15. Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC);

16. National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA);

17. Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP); and

18. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)

The agencies enumerated above shall have at least one (1) permanent representative each with a rank not lower than Director. Other concerned agencies may be invited to join the PCC as may be necessary and appropriate.

The DFA Undersecretary for International Economic Relations and the DTI Undersecretary for International Trade shall act as co-chairs of the PCC. The DTI Undersecretary shall convene and conduct the meetings of the PCC. In his/her absence, the DFA Undersecretary may also convene and conduct the meetings of the PCC.

The PCC shall be convened immediately after this Executive Order takes effect.

Section 2. The functions of the PCC shall be as follows:

a. To Participate in meetings, consultations, and/or negotiations with the Japanese counterpart on the proposed JPEPA;

b. To formulate recommended Philippine positions for the meetings, consultations and/or negotiations with the Japanese counterpart;

c. To conduct consultations with concerned government and private sector representatives, as necessary, regarding the various issues and sectors covered in the JPEPA:

d. To draft a proposed framework for the JPEPA and its Implementing Agreements (IAs); and

e. To perform other functions as may be necessary.

Section 3. The Bureau of International Trade Relations (BITR) of the DTI shall act as the PCC Secretariat. The Secretariat shall be tasked to manage and coordinate the work of the PCC. The DFA, on the other hand, shall be responsible for coordinating with the PCC's Japanese counterpart.

Section 4. The DTI shall draft the final version of the proposed framework for the JPEPA and its IAs, based on the work undertaken by the PCC. It may also authorize the commissioning of consultancy and related services as may be necessary and appropriate to fulfill its functions, subject to existing rules and regulations.

Section 5. Budget - All expenses incurred in connection with the conduct of the individual agencies' functions as a member of the PCC, especially in participating in meetings, consultations, and/or negotiations in Japan, shall be borne by the respective agencies.

The DTI shall submit to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) a work program and its corresponding budget that shall defray the cost of activities to be implemented by the PCC pursuant to this Executive Order

Section 6. Effectivity - This Executive Order shall take effect immediately.

DONE, in the City of Manila, this 28th day of May in the year of our Lord, Two Thousand and Three.

(Sgd.) GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO

By the President:

(Sgd.) ALBERTO G. ROMULO

Executive Secretary