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MALACAÑAN PALACE
MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

[ ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 40, October 01, 2002 ]

CREATING SPECIAL TASK FORCE “PAGBABALIK TULONG” TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEMS POSED BY THE DEPORTATION OF PHILIPPINE CITIZENS FROM SABAH

WHEREAS, the deportation of an increasing number of Philippine citizens from Sabah has given rise to serious and pressing concerns which require immediate intervention by the National Government, and necessitate concerted action and coordination between national government agencies and local government units to be effectively addressed;

WHEREAS, there is an urgent need to create an inter-departmental task force to ensure maximum cooperation among the concerned national government agencies and local government units to insure responsive and timely delivery of essential government services on behalf of returning and displaced Philippine citizens.

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 create Task Force “Pagbabalik Tulong” (the “Task Force Pagbabalik Tulong”) to be chaired by the Presidential Adviser on Muslim Communities, and composed of the heads of the following agencies:

a. Department of Foreign Affairs

b. Department of Social Welfare and Development

c. Department of Labor and Employment

d. Department of Health

e. Department of Interior and Local Government

f. Department of National Defense

g. Philippine National Police

h. Department of Justice (Bureau of Immigration)

i. Local Government unit concerned.

Section 1. Task Force Pagbabalik Tulong shall have the following primary functions.ℒαwρhi৷

1. To ensure maximum coordination and cooperation between the concerned national government agencies and local government units to address the requirements of the deportees, and to show the concern of the national government for the well-being of our returning countrymen;

2. To ensure adequate humanitarian facilities and social support services, to include the reception, classification, alternate livelihood, temporary shelter, including transportation of Philippine citizens from Sabah to their respective places of origin or domicile;

3. To provide adequate health services to deportees as may be necessary upon their arrival in the Philippines;

4. To facilitate the documentation of those who wish to return to Malaysia, upon compliance with the pertinent immigration laws, rules and regulations of that country;

5. To arrange for adequate security while returning deportees are in transit, upon their arrival in the country, and during their reception and processing at designated government processing centers;

6. To submit periodic reports and recommendations to the Office of the President; and

7. To perform such other tasks as may be assigned by the President.

Section 2. Effectivity. – This Administrative Order shall take effect immediately.

DONE in the City of Manila, this 1st day of October in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Two.

(Sgd.) GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO
President of the Philippines

By the President:

(Sgd.) ALBERTO G. ROMULO
Executive Secretary

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