Executive Order No. 378 Entitled "Amending Section 6 of Executive Order No. 285 dated July 25, 1987 by Removing the Exclusive Jurisdiction of the National Printing Office (NPO) Over the Printing Services Requirements of Government Agencies and Instrumentalities" —

February 10, 2009 BLGF MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 005-09 TO : All BLGF Officials and Employees, Regional Directors for Local Government Finance, District Treasurers of Metropolitan Manila; Provincial, City and Municipal Treasurers and Others Concerned SUBJECT : Executive Order No. 378 Entitled "Amending Section 6 of Executive Order No. 285 dated July 25, 1987 by Removing the Exclusive Jurisdiction of the National Printing Office (NPO) Over the Printing Services Requirements of Government Agencies and Instrumentalities" For the information and guidance of all concerned, attached is a copy of EXECUTIVE ORDER No. 378 dated October 25, 2004 by the President of the Philippines, amending Section 6 of Executive Order No. 285 dated July 25, 1987 by removing the exclusive jurisdiction of the National Printing Office (NPO) over the printing services requirements of government agencies and instrumentalities. Said Executive Order provides that in view of recent advances in technology which has made printing services a highly competitive service area with great potential for outsourcing, the NPO, created under Executive Order No. 285 dated July 25, 1987 to have exclusive jurisdiction over the printing, binding and distribution of all government standard and accountable forms, official ballots, and other public documents, shall continue to provide printing services to government instrumentalities as mandated by law. However, it shall no longer enjoy exclusive jurisdiction over the printing services requirements of the government over standard and accountable forms. It shall have to compete with the private sector, except in the printing of election paraphernalia. Subject to certain conditions, the government agencies/instrumentalities may source printing services outside the NPO, to wit: 1. The printing services to be provided by the private sector is superior in quality and at a lower cost than what is offered by the NPO; and 2. The private printing provider is flexible in terms of meeting the target completion time of the government agency. In view of the foregoing and considering the numerous queries of local treasurers as regards printing of customized accountable forms in anticipation of their respective LGU's requirements, it is hereby advised that the local treasurers of provinces, cities and municipalities may proceed with the printing of their own customized accountable forms subject to the aforesaid conditions. IHCDAS Strict observance and compliance with the provisions of the attached Executive Order and this Circular are hereby enjoined. The District Treasurers of Metropolitan Manila and Provincial Treasurers are hereby instructed to disseminate the contents of this Circular, to all City and Municipal Treasurer within their respective jurisdiction, likewise enjoining them to observe and comply strictly with the provisions thereon. Be guided accordingly. (SGD.) MA. PRESENTACION R. MONTESA Executive Director ATTACHMENT October 25, 2004 EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 378 AMENDING SECTION 6 OF EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 285 DATED 25 JULY 1987 BY REMOVING THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE NATIONAL PRINTING OFFICE (NPO) OVER THE PRINTING SERVICES REQUIREMENTS OF GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND INSTRUMENTALITIES WHEREAS, there is a continuing need to institute reforms in the government in order to improve and upgrade efficiencies in the delivery of public services; SEIaHT WHEREAS, one of the areas which need immediate improvement is government printing services to ensure that government benefits from the best services available from the market at the best price; WHEREAS, recent advances in technology has made printing services a highly competitive service area with great outsourcing potential; WHEREAS, the NPO, created pursuant to EO No. 285 dated July 25, 1987, is the agency mandated to have exclusive jurisdiction over the printing, binding and distribution of all government standard and accountable forms, official ballots, and other public documents; 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. The NPO shall continue to provide printing services to government agencies and instrumentalities as mandated by law. However, it shall no longer enjoy exclusive jurisdiction over the printing services requirements of the government over standard and accountable forms. It shall have to compete with the private sector, except in the printing of election paraphernalia which could be shared with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, upon the discretion of the Commission on Elections consistent with the provisions of the Election Code of 1987. SECTION 2. Government agencies/instrumentalities may source printing services outside NPO provided that: 2.1 The printing services to be provided by the private sector is superior in quality and at a lower cost than what is offered by the NPO; and 2.2 The private printing provider is flexible in terms of meeting the target completion time of the government agency. SECTION 3. In the exercise of its functions, the amount to be appropriated for the programs, projects and activities of the NPO in the General Appropriations Act (GAA) shall be limited to its income without additional financial support from the government. SECTION 4. The Director General of the Philippine Information Agency shall prepare guidelines/safeguards to be adopted by government agencies and instrumentalities in tapping private providers in the printing of accountable and standard forms, in case the NPO could not match the price, quality, and timeliness of delivery by private providers. HEITAD SECTION 5. All executive orders, issuances, orders, rules and regulations which are inconsistent with this Executive Order are hereby revoked, amended or modified accordingly. SECTION 6. This Executive Order shall take effect upon its publication in a newspaper of general circulation. DONE in the City of Manila, this 25th day of October, in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Four. Published in Today on November 5, 2004 .