Designation of DTI as the Lead Agency in the ASEAN 39th Meeting of the ASEAN Economic Ministers

July 3, 2007

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 182

DESIGNATING THE DEPARTMENT OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY AS THE LEAD AGENCY TO ORGANIZE AND CARRY OUT THE SCHEDULED ACTIVITIES RELATIVE TO THE PHILIPPINE HOSTING OF THE 39TH MEETING OF THE ASEAN ECONOMIC MINISTERS (39TH AEM) OF THE ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS (ASEAN) AND ITS RELATED MEETINGS

WHEREAS, to carry out the ASEAN Leaders directive towards attaining the ASEAN vision of a single ASEAN community by 2015, in particular, the realization of the ASEAN Economic Community, and on the basis of ASEAN practice on rotation of chairmanship, the Philippines will take on the Chairmanship at the 39th AEM in August 2007;

WHEREAS, in order to enable the Department of Trade and Industry to carry out and implement its obligations in hosting the 39th AEM and other related meetings in August 2007, there is a need to organize and create a Steering Committee, which will coordinate with other line agencies of the national and local government units.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law do hereby order:

SECTION 1. Lead Agency. — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) shall be the lead agency to organize and implement activities related to the hosting of the 39th AEM and its related meetings.

SECTION 2. Agency Support. — The DTI shall coordinate with various agencies such as the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Department of Tourism (DOT), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Philippine National Police (PNP), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Bureau of Customs (BOC), Bureau of Immigration (BI), Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), Department of Budget and Management (DBM), Department of National Defense (DND), Department of Health (DOH), Office of the Press Secretary (OPS), Philippine Information Agency (PIA), various Cities of Manila, other Local Government Units throughout the country, and the private sector, to obtain technical, financial and administrative support for the Philippine hosting of the 39th AEM and its related meetings.

SECTION 3. Tasks and Functions. — The DTI shall perform the following tasks and functions: cHSTEA

1. Formulate and recommend a work program and budget plan for the hosting of the 39th AEM and its related meetings;

2. Coordinate the logistics and substantive arrangements for the 39th AEM and its related meetings;

3. Organize regular meetings of created Task Forces/Committees to provide updates on the progress of activities to be undertaken;

4. Call upon any official, agent, employee, agency or instrumentality of the national or local government for any assistance that may be necessary to ensure the success of the Philippine hosting; and,

5. Subject to existing laws, rules and regulations, enter into agreements and contracts necessary for the attainment of the objectives of this Administrative Order, including contracts for services.

SECTION 4. All departments, bureaus, offices, national and local government units are hereby enjoined to give full support, assistance and cooperation to the DTI Secretary or his designated representatives in the exercise of his responsibilities enumerated in this Administrative Order.

SECTION 5. The funding requirements for the preparation and hosting of the 39th AEM shall be sourced from the Contingency Fund of this Office and/or from the International Commitment Fund Savings, in the amount of Fifty Three Million Five Hundred Thousand Pesos (P53,500,000.00).

SECTION 6. Effectivity. — This Administrative Order shall take effect immediately.

DONE in the City of Manila, Philippines, this 3rd day of July, in the Year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Seven. ITDSAE