Administrative Order No. 217




MALACAÑAN PALACE MANILA BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES [ ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 217, January 21, 2008 ] DESIGNATING THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AS THE LEAD AGENCY TO ORGANIZE THE PHILIPPINE HOSTING OF THE SECOND MEETING OF THE GLOBAL FORUM ON MIGRATION AND DEVELOPMENT (GFMD) AND ITS RELATED MEETINGS AND ACTIVITIES WHEREAS, the Philippines sponsored the inclusion of the migration in the outcome document of the High Level Plenary Meeting of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly in 2005, as well as the holding of the UN Level Dialogue on Migration and Development in September 2006; WHEREAS, the First Meeting of the Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD) was held in Belgium in July 2007 as a follow-up to the UN High Level Dialogue on Migration and Development; WHEREAS, the Philippines will host the Second Meeting of the GFMD in October 2008 in view of its leading role in the field of migration; WHEREAS, there is a need to constitute a national committee to organize and carry out efficiently and effectively all the scheduled activities relative to the Second Meeting of the GFMD, and other related meetings thereto; 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. Lead Agency - The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) shall be the lead agency to organize the hosting of the Second Meeting of the GFMD. Section 2. Agency Support - The DFA shall coordinate the integrated assistance by seeking technical, financial and administrative support from the Office of the Executive Secretary (OES), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Health (DOH), National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), Department of Budget and Management (DBM), Department of Tourism (DOT), Department of Finance (DOF), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of National Defense (DND), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC), Department of Education (DepEd), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Department of Justice (DOJ), Bureau of Immigration (BI), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Office of the Press Secretary (OPS), Public Information Agency (PIA), Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA), National Center for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), Radio-Television Malacanang (RTVM), Population Commission (PopCom), and from the private sector. Section 3. Tasks and Functions - The DFA shall perform the following tasks and functions: 3.1 Formulate and recommend a work program and budget plan for the hosting of the Second Meeting of the GFMD to the President within ninety (90) days from the signing of this Administrative Order; 3.2 Implement the work program once approved by the President and supervise and monitor all activities in relation thereto; 3.3 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 of the Second Meeting of the GFMD; 3.4 Engage the support, assistance and cooperation of the private/business/media/academe sector and non-governmental organization in the preparations and conduct of the meetings; 3.5 Create committees, task forces and other appropriate bodies to effectively carry out its objectives; and 3.6 Subject to existing laws, rules and regulations, enter into agreements and contracts necessary for the attainment of the objectives of this Administrative Order, including memoranda of understanding on financial assistance from donor countries or agencies, contracts for services, and other related tasks. Section 4. Special Envoy for GFMD - The Undersecretary for Migrant Worker's Affairs of the DFA is designated as Special Envoy to GFMD to make representation on behalf of the country for the following purposes: 4.1 Attend relevant meetings, forums, and dialogues concerning the issues of migration and development, in general, and the GFMD process in particular; 4.2 Present the Philippine position on issues relating to migration and development, and showcase the country's experiences in these fields, particularly on labor migration; 4.3 Explore possible partnerships with other UN Member Countries called "Friends of the Forum" as well as other international organizations involved in the GFMD; 4.4 Enter into contracts or agreements necessary to implement the Philippine plan for the hosting of the Second Meeting; and 4.5 Present to the international community the Philippine plan for its hosting of the Second Meeting in Manila this year.ℒαwρhi৷ Section 5. Funding - The funding requirement for the preparation and hosting of the Second Meeting of the GFMD in the amount of One Hundred Million Pesos (PhP 100 Million) shall be charged against the DFA's International Commitment Fund for the year 2008. Additional Funds, as may be necessary, shall be sourced from any available funds as may be determined by the Secretary of Budget and Management. Section 6. Administrative Guidelines / Order - The DFA may adopt such administrative guidelines or regulations as may be necessary to achieve the objectives of this Administrative Order. Section 7. Effectivity - This Administrative Order shall take effect immediately. DONE in the City of Manila, Philippines, on this 21st day of January in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Eight. (Sgd.) GLORIA M. ARROYO By the President: (Sgd.) EDUARDO R. ERMITA Executive Secretary The Lawphil Project - Arellano Law Foundation