EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 544, July 14, 2006

DECLARING AND DELINEATING THE CORON PORT ZONE UNDER THE ADMINISTRATIVE JURISDICTION OF THE PHILIPPINE PORTS AUTHORITY

WHEREAS, the port of Coron is one of the busiest ports in the country particularly in northern Palawan most specifically in the Calamianes Group of Islands;

WHEREAS, there is an urgent need to accelerate the development of the existing seaport of Coron in Barangay Tagumpay, Municipality of Coron, Palawan to serve as a hub of sea borne commerce and trade in northern Palawan, and a gateway to the municipalities, cities, provinces and other countries;

WHEREAS, the development of the existing seaport of Coron is necessary in order to accommodate projected increase in port traffic and program the development of the port facilities to support the increasing demands of the shipping trade within the region.

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 territorial jurisdiction of the port of Coron situated in Barangay Tagumpay, Municipality of Coron, province of Palawan is hereby declared, expanded, and delineated particularly described as follows:

“Beginning at point marked 1 on the plan, thence to point 2 at a distance of 35.00 meters with bearing at South 38.00 degrees East, thence to point 3 at a distance of 35.00 meters with bearing at South 52.00 degrees East, thence to point 4 at a distance of 65.00 meters with bearing at South 38.00 degrees West, thence to point 5 at a distance of 1,500.00 meters with bearing at South 52.00 degrees East, thence to point 6 at a distance of 1,000.00 meters with bearing at South 38.00 degrees West, thence to point 7 at a distance of 2,570.00 meters with bearing at North 52.00 degrees West, thence to point 8 at a distance of 1,000.00 meters with bearing at North 38.00 degrees East, thence to point 9 at a distance of 1,000.00 meters with bearing at South 52.00 degrees East, thence to point 1 or the beginning at a distance of 65.00 meters with bearing at North 38.00 degrees East, all in all comprising a total area of 2,574,375.00 square meters more or less.”

Section 2. The Coron port as defined, expanded and delineated is hereby placed under the administrative jurisdiction of the Philippine Ports Authority, which shall, consistent with the regional industrial plans of the government, implement program in the proper zoning, planning, development and utilization of the ports.

Section 3. All orders, proclamations and issuances or portions thereof, which are inconsistent with this Executive Order, are hereby amended, repealed or modified accordingly.

Section 4. This Executive Order shall take effect immediately.

Done in the City of Manila, this 14th day of July, in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Six.

(SGD.) GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO

By authority of the President:

(SGD.) EDUARDO R. ERMITA

Executive Secretary