EXECUTIVE ORDER No. 553, August 01, 2006

ESTABLISHING AN INFRASTRUCTURE MONITORING TASK FORCE

WHEREAS, there is a low absorptive capacity of the agencies implementing pump-priming projects, especially the infrastructure projects;

NOW THEREFORE I, GLORIA M. ARROYO, President of the Philippines, by the powers vested in me by law, do hereby order:

1. There is hereby established an Infrastructure Monitoring Task Force (Task Force) with the staff from the following agencies assigned full-time to the Task Force: the National Economic and Development Authority, the Presidential Management Staff (PMS), the Department of Public Works and Highways, the Department of Transportation and Communication, the Department of Energy and the Export Development Council.

2. The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry is hereby invited to assign a representative to the Task Force.

3. The Director-General of the PMS shall be the head of the Task Force.

4. The Task Force shall take steps to speed up the implementation of projects as appropriate.

5. All previous issuances inconsistent with this Executive Order are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

6. This Executive Order takes effect immediately.

DONE in the City of Manila, on this 1st day of August in the year of Our Lord Two Thousand and Six.

(Sgd.) GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

(SGD.) EDUARDO R. ERMITA

Executive Secretary