EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 576, November 07, 2006

ABOLISHING THE GOVERNMENT MASS MEDIA GROUP AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

WHEREAS, the Government Mass Media Group (GMMG) was created by Executive Order No. 348 dated 11 August 2004 to supervise and control the government-owned mass media entities;

WHEREAS, the charter of the Philippines Information Agency (PIA) empowers it to have access to government media agencies for the purpose of disseminating development-oriented information;

WHEREAS, there is a need to ensure effective coordination between and among allied government agencies for better information dissemination; and

WHEREAS, Executive Order No. 292, otherwise known as the "Administrative Code of 1987," grants the President continuing authority to reorganize the administrative structure of the Office of the President.

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 GMMG is hereby abolished. Its properties, staff and resources shall be transferred to the Office of the Press Secretary (OPS).

Section 2. The PIA Director-General, who shall continue to have Cabinet rank, shall exercise supervision and control "By authority of the President" over the following:

a. Philippine News Agency (PNA);

b. Bureau of Broadcast Service (BBS);

c. Bureau of Communication Service (BCS);

d. National Broadcasting Network, Inc. (NBN-4);

e. Radio Philippines Network, Inc. (RPN-9);

f. International Broadcasting Corporation (IBC-13);

Section 3. The President of the Philippines shall appoint the Chairman, President and General of NBN-4. With respect to RPN-9 and IBC-13 the President shall express her desire whom she wishes to be elected as Board Members, Chairmen and Presidents thereof.

Section 4. The Chairman of NBN-4 shall not hold any other government position.

Section 5. The President and General Manager of NBN-4 shall be different persons. The same distinction shall apply to the Presidents and General Managers of RPN-9 and IBC-13.

Section 6. The National Printing Office and the APO Production Unit shall attached to the OPS.

Section 7. All orders, issuances, rules and regulations or parts therefore inconsistent with this Executive Order are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

Section 8. This Executive Order shall take effect after its publication in a national newspaper of general circulation.

DONE in the City of Manila, this 7th day of November, in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Six.

(Sgd.) GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO

By the President:

(Sgd.) EDUARDO R. ERMITA

Executive Secretary