EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 222, March 24, 2000

TRANSFERRING THE NATIONAL COMPUTER CENTER FROM THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

WHEREAS, the government's National Information Technology Plan for the 21st Century (IT21) seeks to transform the Philippines into a Knowledge Center in Asia by the first decade of the 21st century;

WHEREAS, the National Information Technology Council (NITC), pursuant to EO No. 125, s. 1999, is tasked to coordinate and oversee the implementation of IT21, and to serve as the highest planning and policy advisory body on IT matters;

WHEREAS, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) chairs the NITC and is actively involved in the pursuit of the IT21 vision;

WHEREAS, the National Computer Center (NCC), pursuant to EO No. 125, s. 1999, is tasked to provide technical and professional support to the NITC;

WHEREAS, there is need to effectively mobilize and coordinate the collective resources and talents of government entities concerned in the pursuit of the IT21 vision;

WHEREAS, government is committed to pursue a more responsive and efficient bureaucracy by adopting homogeneous grouping of functionally-related agencies;

WHEREAS, Section 31, Chapter 10, Title III, Book III of EO 292, s. 1987, provides continuing authority to the President to reorganize the administrative structure of the Office of the President.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH EJERCITO ESTRADA, President of the Republic of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby order:

Section 1. Transferring NCC to DOST. The NCC is hereby transferred from the Office of the President to the DOST to ensure more effective administrative supervision and information and communications technology policy and program coordination.

Section 2. Repealing Clause. All executive orders, rules and regulations, and other issuances or parts thereof that are inconsistent with the provisions of this Executive Order, are hereby either revoked or modified accordingly.

Section 3. Effectivity. This Executive Order shall take effect immediately.

DONE in the City of Manila, this 24th day of March in the year of our Lord, Two Thousand.

(Sgd.) JOSEPH EJERCITO ESTRADA

By the President:

(Sgd.) RONALDO B. ZAMORA

Executive Secretary