Use of PICC Facilities as Venue for Government-organized Meetings and Conventions

December 27, 2005

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 136

ENCOURAGING GOVERNMENT AGENCIES, DEPARTMENTS AND INSTRUMENTALITIES TO UTILIZE THE FACILITIES OF THE PHILIPPINE INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION CENTER (PICC) AS VENUE FOR THEIR ORGANIZED/HOSTED MEETINGS, WORKSHOPS, SEMINARS, CONVENTIONS AND OTHER SPECIAL EVENTS

WHEREAS, the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) was Constructed by the Central Bank of the Philippines, now Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, pursuant to Presidential Decree (PD) No. 520, as amended, to serve as the country's principal facility in hosting national, regional, and international meetings and conventions;

WHEREAS, the PICC possesses world-class equipment and facilities, which meets international standards, and is operated by a wealth of experienced and professional staff that can satisfy the demands of both domestic and foreign clienteles;

WHEREAS, the number of government-organized and sponsored gatherings and affairs held at the PICC has been steadily declining through the years vis-à-vis the number of such gatherings and affairs held in hotels, restaurants and similar establishments;

WHEREAS, government agencies, departments and instrumentalities, including National Government Agencies, State Universities and Colleges, Government Owned and Controlled Corporations, Government Financial Institutions, and other Government Corporate Entities, should be encouraged to use the PICC as venue for their meetings, seminars, conferences, exhibitions and other similar events in order to maintain the integrity of government funds allocated for the purpose, which shall remain with the government;

WHEREAS, the holding of events at PICC by government bodies will not only increase revenue for PICC, but will keep government funds intact as funds allocated for the purpose shall remain in government coffers, since PICC is owned and controlled by the government.

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. Departments, bureaus, offices, agencies and instrumentalities of the Philippine Government, including National Government Agencies, State Universities and Colleges, Government Owned and Controlled Corporations, Government Financial Institutions, and other Government Corporate Entities, are hereby encouraged to use the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) facilities in their regular and periodic national, regional, and international meetings, seminars, workshops, symposiums, conferences, conventions, exhibitions and other special events that relate to their mandate for purposes of governance, public administration, skills development, capability-building, training and exchange of information and ideas.

SECTION 2. In the selection of the venue for any of the aforementioned undertakings and special events, the concerned government bodies are encouraged to make PICC as their venue of preference when booking such activities.

SECTION 3. The PICC shall develop special packages for various activities to be hosted by any government body, which should be competitive; provided that, such will not be detrimental to the continuous business operations of PICC.

SECTION 4. All orders, circulars, rules and regulations and other issuances or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Administrative Order are hereby amended, modified or repealed accordingly.

SECTION 5. This Administrative Order shall take effect immediately.

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 27th day of December in the year of our Lord, Two Thousand and Five.