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MALACAÑAN PALACE
MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

[ EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 303, March 29, 2004 ]

DIRECTING THE ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES (AFP), THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE (PNP), AND OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCIES TO SOURCE THEIR MUNITIONS REQUIREMENTS FROM THE GOVERNMENT ARSENAL.

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the Government to achieve self-sufficiency in small arms ammunition and munitions for the use of the country’s defense forces pursuant to Republic Act. No. 1884, to enhance the defense and security of the nation towards a secure environment for the Filipino people;

WHEREAS, the Government Arsenal (GA), which was established under the Department of National Defense pursuant to RA 1884, appropriated a yearly budget by Congress for the manufacture of small arms ammunition and such other munitions as may be needed for the use of the Armed Forces of Philippines (AFP);

WHEREAS, in conjunction with RA 1884, Section 24, Chapter 3, Subtitle II, Title VIII (National Defense) of Executive Order No. 292, s. 1987, otherwise known as the Administrative Code of 1987, stipulates that the Government Arsenal shall, among other, "…procure, stockpile and allocate arms, mortars and other weapons and munitions without the necessity of obtaining any permits or licenses; and devise ways and means for the efficient mobilization of civilian industry to augment the production of the Arsenal in time of emergency."

WHEREAS, Section 12 of Republic Act No. 7898, otherwise known as the AFP Modernization Act, provides, among other, that the Government Arsenal shall be effectively utilized in the production of basic weapons, ammunition and other munitions for the use of AFP and the Philippine National Police (PNP), and for the sale and export of products of AFP/PNP requirements;

WHEREAS, RA 7898 further authorizes the Government Arsenal to use such production facilities as it may own or be provided with, or as it may arrange under a joint venture, co-production, or similar agreements with local and foreign entities for the modernization and operation of small arms ammunition plants and for the establishment of other defense manufacturing plants;

WHEREAS, for the purpose of enhancing defense self-reliance conserving foreign exchange and securing a local market base so as to ensure the viability of any Joint Venture which the Government Arsenal may undertake pursuant to RA 7898, it is in the best interest of the Government to require both the AFP and PNP, as well as other government agencies, to procure their ammunition and other munitions requirements through the Government Arsenal;

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. Sourcing the Government Munitions Requirements. The AFP, PNP, and other government agencies are hereby directed to source their small arms ammunition and such other munitions requirements as may be available from the Government Arsenal;

Section 2. Repealing Clause. All executive orders, administrative rules and regulations, or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this order are hereby repealed or amended accordingly.1a⍵⍴h!1

Section 3. Effectivity. This Order takes effect immediately.

DONE, in the City of Manila this 29th day of March, in the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand and Four.

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

By the President:

(SGD.) ALBERTO G. ROMULO
Executive Secretary

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