EXECUTIVE ORDER NO 579 November 30, 2006

ENCOURAGING THE FORMULATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF GREEN PHILIPPINES PROGRAMS THROUGH THE NATIONAL SERVICE TRAINING PROGRAM (NSTP)

WHEREAS, the Philippines is a young nation; our people are young, those under 30 years old make up sixty-five (65%) percent of the population;

WHEREAS, it is the youth of this nation who have the energy to make their visions come true;

WHEREAS, it is the time for the younger generation to be actively involved in civic life, and be responsible for their own future;

WHEREAS, the Arroyo Administration is calling for a New Vision for Young Nation;

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 National Service Training Program (NSTP) shall endeavor to build a new quality of life that will keep the nation young and beautiful. In order to ensure its realization, all students under NSTP, Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC), Literacy Training Services (LTS), and Civic Welfare Training Service (CWTS), shall be involved in Green Philippines Activities which include among others:

a) Taking back our forests and replenishing fallen trees with new, protected forests;

b) Beautifying our barangays and cities;

c) Building more urban parks and recreation areas;

d) Purifying our water;

e) Cleaning up industrial sites;

Section 2. At least 36 hours per semester or 72 hours in case of one summer program shall be dedicated for the implementation of the activities enumerated under Section 1 hereof.

Section 3. The Chair of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) shall act as the Lead Implementor of this Order, assisted by the Chair of the National Youth Commission (NYC).

Section 4. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Local Government Units (LGUs) shall assist the schools in identifying the areas where the Green Philippines Activities of the NSTP shall be implemented.

Section 5. All other executive issuances, orders, rules and regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with this Executive Order are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

Section 6. This Executive Order shall take effect immediately upon publication in two (2) newspaper of general circulation and shall be implemented starting on the first (1^st) semester of school year 2007-2008.

DONE in the City of Manila, this 30th 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