EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 656, August 24, 2007

CREATING AN INTERNATIONAL MEDIA OFFICE

I, GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO, President of the Philippines, by the powers vested in me by law, do hereby order:

Section 1. There is hereby created an International Media Office (IMO) under the Office of the Press Secretary with support and additional staff seconded by the Department of Foreign Affairs, the National Security Council, the Philippine Information Agency, the Department of Tourism, the Department of Trade and Industry, and the Department of Labor and Employment. The Investor Relations Office is hereby enjoined likewise to support the IMO.

Section 2. The IMO is mandated to monitor overseas media coverage and plan/coordinate initiatives to project government messages in international media in support of national interests and governance thrust in security, law and order, economic, diplomatic, political, social and other areas.

Section 3. The IMO shall coordinate closely with out Philippine embassies and consulates abroad.

Section 4. The IMO shall be provided with a fund of Thirty Million Pesos (P30,000,000.00) for communication campaigns, charged to the Office of the Press Secretary and other sources as may be identified by the Department of Budget and Management.

DONE in the City of Manila, this 24th day of August in the year of our Lord, Two Thousand and Seven.

(Sgd.) GLORIA M. ARROYO

By the President:

(Sgd.) EDUARDO R. ERMITA

Executive Secretary