EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 784, February 19, 2009

AUTHORIZING THE FEDERATION OF FILIPINO-CHINESE CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY, INC., TO CONDUCT A SERIES OF FUND CAMPAIGNS FOR ITS “OPERATION: BARRIO SCHOOLS” PROJECT

WHEREAS, pursuant to Republic Act No. 8525, “An Act Establishing an “Adopt-A-School Program”, Providing Incentives Therefor and For Other Purposes”, it is the policy of the State to provide quality and relevant education to the Filipino youth and to encourage private initiative to support public education;

WHEREAS, towards this end, the State shall institute programs to encourage private companies and enterprises to help in the upgrading and modernization of public schools in the country, particularly those in poverty-stricken provinces;

WHEREAS, the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (Federation) has launched a long-term project designed to provide school houses for the accommodation of school-age children and has already donated around 3,600 two-room school houses to needy barangays all over the country;

WHEREAS, the Federation, although a private institution, has been undertaking priority projects and activities of a public character and therefore deserves the recognition and support of the government;

WHEREAS, the school houses donated under “Operation: Barrio Schools” of the Federation are ought to be recognized as donations to the Government of the Republic of the Philippines or to any of its agencies or political subdivisions, and the funds donated for the building of such school houses are exclusively used to finance, provide for or to be used in undertaking a priority activity in education under and in accord with the National Priority Development Plan determined by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA);

WHEREAS, as an incentive to those who will contribute and donate to the Federation’s “Operation: Barrio Schools” project, it is proper to classify such contributions or donations as exempt from all forms of taxes and allowing such contributions or donations as deductible in full for income tax purposes in accordance with existing laws, rules and regulations;

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. Upon the recommendation of the Secretary of Finance, the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (Federation) is hereby authorized to conduct a series of fund campaigns among its members and on the public to finance and support its “Operation: Barrio Schools” project for a period of one (1) year from date of issuance hereof.

Section 2. All funds generated from the fund campaigns through donations or contributions to the “Operation: Barrio Schools” project shall be exempted from all forms of taxes and the donor or contributor shall be allowed to deduct such donations or contributions in full for income tax purposes, in accordance with existing laws, rules and regulations.

Section 3. All Filipino Citizens and/or residents of the country are hereby enjoined to give generously in support of this project to ensure its successful implementation.

Section 4. This Executive Order shall be effective for a period of one (1) year from date of issuance hereof, subject to renewal.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the Republic of the Philippines to be affixed.

Done in the City of Manila, this 19th day of February, in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Nine.

(Sgd.) GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO

By the President:

(Sgd.) EDUARDO R. ERMITA

Executive Secretary