EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 689, December 27, 2007

TRANSFERRING THE PHILIPPINE MINING DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION FROM THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT TO THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES

WHEREAS, the Philippine Mining Development Corporation (formerly the Natural Resources Mining Development Corporation) is a government-owned and controlled corporation primarily tasked to conduct and carry on the business of exploring, developing, mining, smelting and producing, transporting, storing, distributing, exchanging, selling, disposing, importing, exporting, trading and promotion of gold, silver, copper, iron and all kinds of mineral deposits and substances;

WHEREAS, in order to closely monitor and oversee the efficient and effective implementation of the country's utilization and development of its mineral resources, there is a need to transfer the Philippine Mining Development Corporation from the Office of the President to the Department of the Environment and Natural Resources;

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 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. Transfer. - The Philippine Mining Development Corporation is hereby transferred from the Office of the President to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

Section 2. Repealing Clause. - All executive issuances, rules and regulations or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this Executive Order are hereby revoked, amended, or modified accordingly.

Section 3. Effectivity. - This Executive Order shall take effect immediately.

DONE in the City of Manila, this 27th day of December in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Seven.

(Sgd.) GLORIA M. ARROYO

By the President:

(Sgd.) EDUARDO R. ERMITA

Executive Secretary