September 10, 2003

MEMORANDUM ORDER NO. 115

CREATING A NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO TAKE CHARGE OF THE STATE VISIT OF HIS EXCELLENCY GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

There is hereby created a National Committee to take charge of all preparations and arrangements in connection with the State Visit of His Excellency GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America in October 2003, to be composed of the following:

HONORABLE BLAS F. OPLE	–	Chairman
Secretary of Foreign Affairs
HONORABLE RICHARD J. GORDON	–	Co-Chairman
Secretary of Tourism
HONORABLE JOSE ISIDRO N. CAMACHO	–	Member
Secretary of Finance
HONORABLE FLORANTE M. SORIQUEZ	–	Member
Secretary of Public Works and Highways
HONORABLE EDILBERTO C. DE JESUS	–	Member
Secretary of Education
HONORABLE ANGELO T. REYES	–	Member
Former Secretary of National Defense
HONORABLE MANUEL A. ROXAS II	–	Member
Secretary of Trade and Industry
HONORABLE JOSE D. LINA	–	Member
Secretary of Interior and Local Government
HONORABLE LEANDRO C. MENDOZA	–	Member
Secretary of Transportation and Communication
HONORABLE EMILIA T. BONCODIN	–	Member
Secretary of Budget and Management
HONORABLE MILTON A. ALINGOD	–	Member
Press Secretary
HONORABLE BAYANI F. FERNANDO	–	Member
Chairman, Metro Manila Development Authority
HONORABLE CECILA B. REBONG	–	Member
Chief Presidential Protocol
COLONEL DELFIN N. BANGIT	–	Member
Group Commander, Presidential Security Group

The National Committee shall be responsible for the planning, coordination and execution of all preparations and arrangements, including the implementation of all Presidential instructions, in connection with the State Visit.

The National Committee shall also be responsible for preparing the detailed program of the State Visit including the provisions for security and media coverage. As such, it shall coordinate with concerned national line agencies on all administrative preparations and arrangements.

The National Committee is authorized to create sub-committees as it may deem necessary in the performance of its tasks. It is likewise authorized to call upon any department, bureau, office, agency or instrumentality of the government including any government-owned and/or controlled corporation, for such assistance as it may need in discharging its duties and functions in order to ensure a successful State Visit.

This Memorandum Order shall take effect immediately.

DONE in the City of Manila, this 10th day of September, in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Three.