Administrative Order No. 321




MALACAÑAN PALACE MANILA BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES [ ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 321, March 19, 1997 ] CREATING A NATIONAL ORGANIZING COMMITTEE FOR THE HOLDING OF THE 55TH SESSION OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL OF THE WORLD TOURISM ORGANIZATION AND THE WORLD TOURISM LEADERS’ MEETING, PRESCRIBING ITS AUTHORITIES AND FUNCTIONS WHEREAS, the development of the tourism sector is among the socio-economic thrusts of the government to sustain the growth of the economy and promote the country’s socio-cultural heritage; WHEREAS, the Philippines is an active and founding member of the World Tourism Organization, established to promote cooperation among member governments and the private sector in pursuing tourism development objectives; WHEREAS, the World Tourism Organization (WTO), will hold the 55th Session of its Executive Council in Manila, Philippines, from 20 to 21 May 1997 to review its work program, plan its future activities and elect the new Secretary General; WHEREAS, the Philippine Department of Tourism and the World Tourism Organization will hold the World Tourism Leaders’ Meeting on 22 May 1997 in Manila, Philippines, to formulate policies and strategies to mitigate the adverse socio-cultural impacts of tourism, as well as to determine the role of tourism in the 21st century; WHEREAS, the Philippines’ hosting of the 55th Session of the Executive Council of the WTO and that of the World Tourism Leaders will not only generate goodwill for the country, but will likewise provide an opportunity to enlist bilateral and multilateral cooperation for the further development of the country’s tourism sector; WHEREAS, there is a need to constitute a coordinating body for the preparation of the conduct of the above Meetings in Manila and ensure its success to enable the country to maximize the gains therefrom, as well as promote the developmental objectives set by the said Meetings; NOW, THEREFORE, I, FIDEL V. RAMOS, President of the Republic of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby order: Section 1. Creation of a National Organizing Committee. - There is hereby constituted a National Organizing Committee, hereinafter referred to as the National Committee, for the conduct of the 55th Session of the Executive Council of the World Tourism Organization and that of the World Tourism Leaders Meeting in Manila from 20 to 22 May 1997.ℒαwρhi৷ Section 2. Composition. - The National Committee shall be composed of the following: Secretary of Tourism – Chairperson Secretary of Foreign Affairs – Co-Chairperson Secretary of Interior and Local Government – Vice-Chairperson Secretary of Social Welfare and Development – Member Secretary of Transportation and Communication – Member Secretary of Trade and Industry – Member Press Secretary – Member Chairperson, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority – Member Two (2) private sector representatives, to be identified by the Chairperson, shall sit in the National Committee as Members. Section 3. Powers and Functions. - The National Committee shall formulate, in coordination with concerned sectors, the appropriate Work Program to ensure the effective conduct of the above Meetings, including the tasking thereto of the concerned agencies and instrumentalities of the government, and the sourcing of funds to finance such activities. In this regard, the National Committee is hereby authorized to negotiate and conclude agreements and contracts, grant incentives and honorarium, subject to applicable laws, rules and regulations. The Work Program shall include among others, the provision of security, transportation, accommodation and protocular arrangements; conduct of conference services and information/media coverage; organization of social-cultural programs; implementation of critical tourism infrastructure programs/projects; enforcement of traffic management scheme to facilitate mobility of conference participants; and expedite documentation requirements for all foreign participants and international correspondents. Section 4. Public and Private Sector Participation. - The National Committee shall mobilize the private sector participation in the preparation and conduct of the above Meetings. As may be necessary, it shall organize working groups or call upon any government agency or LGU for assistance to implement this Order. Section 5. Funding. - A total of P20 Million, to defray the administrative and logistical requirements of the National Committee, including the operations of the its working groups, shall be allocated from Trust Liability Account or available funds of the Department of Tourism for CY 1997, subject to existing accounting and auditing rules and regulations. Section 6. Reports. - The National Committee shall submit regular reports to the Office of the President on the status of the preparations for the conduct of the said Meetings and a post-meeting report thereon. Section 7. Effectivity. - This Administrative Order shall take effect immediately. DONE in the City of Manila, Philippines, this 19th day of March, in the year of Our Lord, Nineteen Hundred and Ninety-Seven. (Sgd.) FIDEL V. RAMOS President of the Philippines By the President: (Sgd.) RUBEN D, TORRES Executive Secretary The Lawphil Project - Arellano Law Foundation