Executive Order No. 498




MALACAÑAN PALACE MANILA BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES [ EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 498, December 19, 1991 ] INSTITUTIONALIZING THE PRESIDENTIAL AWARDS FOR FILIPINO INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANIZATIONS OVERSEAS WHEREAS, the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) have, upon instructions of the President of the Philippines, developed an awards system for Filipino individuals and organizations overseas who have contributed materially - or in the form of selfless programs and endeavors - to our country's relief, rehabilitation, and development programs; WHEREAS, the CFO and the DFA have joined hands in paying tribute to the people and organizations overseas who have responded to the Government's call for unity in the pursuit of developmental undertakings for our country; WHEREAS, a total of 34 individuals and organizations will be the recipients of National and CFO awards this December as we commemorate "The Month of Overseas Filipinos" pursuant to Proclamation No. 276, S. 1988; WHEREAS, it is socially desirable and in the national interest to provide a permanent system of recognition for the valuable contributions being made to our developmental concerns by our countrymen and organizations abroad, and to formulate an appropriate incentives and awards program for Filipinos overseas who continue to help our country through the years with their tireless efforts, donations, taxes, and remittances; NOW, THEREFORE, I, CORAZON C, AQUINO, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby order: Section 1. The Presidential Awards for Filipino Individuals and Organizations Overseas who have made significant contributions to the cause of pursuing developmental concerns in our country is hereby institutionalized and awards thereunder are authorized to be made in December of every year. Section 2. Filipino individuals and organizations overseas, who have consistently displayed outstanding feats and exerted efforts to stimulate greater participation among Filipinos abroad in the development efforts of our country, shall be considered for the Presidential Awards. The Presidential Awards may also be conferred, by authority of the President by the Executive Secretary or when so duly authorized by the President, by the Chairman of the Commission on Filipinos Overseas. Section 3. The Presidential Awards shall be in the form of medallions and plaques, containing the citation and signature of the President. The Commission on Filipinos overseas, in coordination with the Department of Foreign Affairs, shall promulgate the rules and regulations governing the awards and shall prescribe, in coordination with the National Historical Institute, the design specifications of the plaque and medallions, and other details pertinent thereto, which rules and regulations shall be subject to approval by the President. Section 4. This Executive Order shall take effect immediately. Done in the City of Manila, this 19th day of December in the year of our Lord, nineteen hundred and ninety one. (Sgd.) CORAZON C. AQUINO By the President (Sgd.) FRANKLIN M. DRILON Executive Secretary The Lawphil Project - Arellano Law Foundation