EXECUTIVE ORDER No. 402 January 24, 2005

ABOLISHING THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON SCHOLARSHIP AND TRANSFERRING ITS SCHOLARSHIP FUNCTIONS TO THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION FOR BASIC EDUCATION, TO THE COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION FOR DEGREE COURSES, AND TO THE TECHNICAL EDUCATION FOR SKILLS AND DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY FOR NON-DECREE COURSES

WHEREAS, the special Committee on Scholarships ("Committee") was created pursuant to a Cabinet Resolution dated 06 June 1956 to ensure that the requirements of the Economic Development Program of the Government for skilled manpower and knowledgeable workers are met through the efficacious availment of foreign-assisted training programs;

WHEREAS, the Committee administers the Department of Education ("DepEd"), the Commission on Higher Education ("CHED") and the Technical Education Skills Development Authority ("TESDA") scholarship training and grants sourced from official development assistance ("ODA").

WHEREAS, the Committee is composed of members from various government offices which include the Department of Education, the Commission of Higher Education, the Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Finance, the National Economic and Development Authority, the Civil Service Commission, the Presidential Management Staff and the Academe;

WHEREAS, in order to promote simplicity, economy and efficiency in the administration of scholarship training and grants sourced from ODA, it is necessary to abolish the Committee, and its scholarship functions are to be transferred to the DepEd for basic education, to the CHED for degree courses, and to the TESDA for no-degree courses.

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. The Special Committee on Scholarships is hereby abolished and its scholarship functions are hereby transferred to the DepEd for basic education, to the CHED for degree courses, and to the TESDA for non-degree courses.

Section 2. The DepEd, CHED and TESDA shall jointly issue the implementing rules and regulations of this Order.

Section 3. Personnel who may be affected by the abolition of the Special Committee on Scholarships shall have the option to remain in government service, if with permanent/temporary appointment attested by the Civil Service Commission, or to retire/be separated and paid benefits pursuant to existing laws.

Section 4. This Executive Order shall take effect immediately.

City of Manila 24 January 2005.

(Sgd.) GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO

By the President:

(Sgd.) EDUARDO R. ERMITA

Executive Secretary