EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 343, August 05, 2004

TRANSFERRING THE COMMISSION ON FILIPINOS OVERSEAS FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS TO THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

WHEREAS, the Commission on Filipinos Overseas, created by virtue of Batas Pambansa Blg. 79 (s. 1980), as amended by Executive Order No. 708 (s. 1981), Executive Order No. 728 (s. 1981), and Executive Order No. 346 (s. 1996), is the government agency under the Office of the President mandated to formulate general policies for the promotion of the welfare of Filipinos overseas, and provide functional direction for its programs and operations;

WHEREAS, recognizing the unprecedented and phenomenal increase in the number of Filipinos overseas, the Government is committed to strengthen its efforts towards protecting the rights and welfare of Filipinos overseas, including their protection from the depradations of domestic recruiters as well as of overseas employers, agents and officials, and their protection from physical harm:

WHEREAS, under Republic Act No. 8042 (s. 1996), the Commission on Filipinos Overseas is an agency attached to the Department of Foreign Affairs;

WHEREAS, in order to effectively oversee and supervise the Government’s efforts towards strengthening overseas workers’ protection, there is a need to transfer the Commission on Filipinos Overseas from the Department of Foreign Affairs to the Office of the President;

WHEREAS, under Section 31, Chapter 10, Title III, Book III of the Administrative Code of 1987, the President has the continuing authority to recognize the administrative structure of the Office of the President;

WHEREAS, the month of September has international significance relative to the global advocacy for peace because of activities such as:

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, President of the Republic of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me under the constitution and existing laws, do hereby order

Section 1. Transfer. – The Commission on Filipinos Overseas is hereby transferred from the Department of foreign Affairs to the Office of the President.

Section 2. Repealing Clause. All executive issuances, rules and regulations or parts thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Executive Order are hereby repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.

Section 3. Effectivity. – This Executive Order shall take effect immediately. City of Manila, AUG. 05, 2004

(SGD.) GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

(SGD.) ALBERTO G. ROMULO

Executive Secretary