EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 346, August 09, 2004

TRANSFERRING THE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE (IPO) FROM THE OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY TO THE DEPARTMENT OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY

WHEREAS, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is the primary coordinative, promotive, facilitative and regulatory arm of the Executive Branch of government in the area of trade, industry and investment;

WHEREAS, the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) was established to act as the principal government agency tasked to oversee and implement state policies on the protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights;

WHEREAS, in order to facilitate coordination of policies and programs between these agencies, it is necessary to place the IPO under the DTI;

WHEREAS, Section 31 (3), Chapter 10, Title III, Book III of the Administrative Code of 1987, authorizes the President to "[T]ransfer any agency under the Office of the President to any other department or agency x x x".

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 following:

Section 1. The Intellectual Property Office (IPO) is hereby transferred from the Office of the Executive Secretary, and attached to the Department of Trade and Industry.

Section 2. All orders, issuances, rules and regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with this Executive Order are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

Section 3. This Executive Order shall take effect immediately.

Adopted: 09 Aug. 2004

(SGD.) GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

(SGD.) ALBERTO G. ROMULO

Executive Secretary