EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 640, July 25, 2007

EXTENDING FURTHER THE DURATION OF OPERATION OF THE PRESIDENTIAL MIDDLE EAST PREPAREDNESS COMMITTEE (PMEPC) TO DECEMBER 31, 2007

WHEREAS, the term of the Presidential Middle East Preparedness Committee (PMEPC) expires on June 30, 2007 pursuant to E.O. 597 dated January 12, 2007;

WHEREAS, tensions, political instability, and armed conflicts continue to exist in some countries of the Middle East that directly threaten the safety and security of thousands of Filipino workers in these countries;

WHEREAS, there is an urgent need for the PMEPC to continue to assess and monitor developments and update contingency measures to ensure the safety of Filipinos in the Middle East, prepare and establish a specific contingency plan each for the potential crises in some countries, and to uphold the current ban on the deployment of Filipino workers to Iraq and Lebanon;

WHEREAS, the PMEPC is also tasked to provide continuing assistance to the Department of Foreign Affairs, as well as to other government agencies concerned with OFW safety, security, and protection, and in the formulation and implementation of policies, plans, and modes of coordination in areas where there are a significant presence of OFWs;

WHEREAS, under Section 31, Chapter 10, Title III, Book III of the Administrative Code of 1987, the President has the continuing authority to reorganize the functions of the Office of the President.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby order the extension of the duration of the operations of the PMEPC to December 31, 2007 or unless otherwise directed by the President.

Section 1. The PMEPC shall continue to exercise its functions and responsibilities as provided for under EO 159 dated December 23, 2002, in relation to EO 194 and EO 195, both dated April 14, 2003.

Section 2. Composition – The membership of the PMEPC, as enumerated under Section 3 of EO 159, as amended by EO 549 and EO 597, respectively, is hereby retained;

Section 3. Funding – The Committee shall be provided with an additional funding allocation of FIVE MILLION PESOS (P5,000,000.00) for its administrative and operational expenses to be provided by the Office of the President. Additional financial requirements that may be needed by the Committee shall be sourced out by the Department of Budget and Management from available funds of the concerned PMEPC member-agencies, subject to the usual government accounting and auditing rules and regulations.

Section 4. Repeal – All other rules, regulations and issuances or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this Executive Order are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

Section 5. Effectivity – This Order shall take effect immediately.

DONE in the City of Manila, this 25th day of July in the year of our Lord, Two Thousand and Seven.

(SGD.) GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO

By the President:

(SGD.) EDUARDO R. ERMITA

Executive Secretary