EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 748, August 25, 2008

PROVIDING FOR THE OPENING OF SIX (6) NEW REGIONAL CONSULAR OFFICES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the government to effect efficient delivery of basic public services by bringing it closer to the people;

WHEREAS, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), desirous of providing consular services to cover the widest possible areas, has determined the need for the creation of six (6) new Regional Consular Offices to be located in the following regions:

1. Bacolod City, Negros Oriental, Region VI

2. Butuan City, Agusan del Norte, Region XIII-CARAGA

3. Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Region VI-B-MIMAROPA

4. Baguio City, Benguet, Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR)

5. General Santos City, Region XII-SOCCSKARGEN

6. Cotabato City, Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM)

WHEREAS, the creation of Regional Consular Offices, with the mandate to process and issue passports and to extend various consular services to Filipinos and non-residents alike, is pursuant to Philippine Passport Act of 1996 and Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995 (RA 8042), as well as Vienna Convention on Consular Relations;

WHEREAS, the Regional Consular Offices with its linkage with relevant regional governmental and non-governmental agencies become vital partners in the commercial pursuit and economic diplomacy thrust of the Government in the region;

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 the immediate opening of the above Regional Consular Offices within their areas of jurisdiction to undertake services to the public.

Section 1. Organization. The DFA Regional Consular Offices shall be manned by Home Office-based personnel and locally hired employees from the Region. It shall be headed by a ranking Officer of the Department.

Section 2. Staff House. Each Regional Consular Office is duly authorized to rent a staff house for its Home Office based personnel, preferably in the same building or premises where the Office is situated.

Section 3. Funding. Funding for the Regional Consular Offices shall come from the annual budget of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Passport Revolving Fund. For the Calendar Year 2008, an initial fund amounting to Sixty-Six Million Pesos (P66,000,000.00) shall be released from any available appropriation for CY 2008, as may be determined by the Department of Budget and Management.

Section 4. Additional Guidelines. The Secretary of Foreign Affairs is hereby directed to formulate additional implementing guidelines that may be necessary to effect this Order. Provided, that all provisions and guidelines that have financial implications are properly coordinated with the Secretary of Budget and Management.

Section 5. Effectivity. The Executive Order shall take effect immediately after publication in a national newspaper of general circulation.

DONE in the City of Manila, this 25TH day of August, in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Eight.

(Sgd.) H.E. GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO

By the President:

(Sgd.) EDUARDO R. ERMITA

Executive Secretary