AUTHORIZING THE PHILIPPINE ECONOMIC AND CULTURAL CENTER TO ASSIST IN THE PERFORMANCE OF CERTAIN FUNCTIONS

WHEREAS, the Philippine Economic and Cultural Center is a private
non-stock corporation organized under the laws of the Republic of the
Philippines, among the corporate purposes of which is the promotion of
the socio-economic welfare of Filipinos throughout Southeast Asia;

WHEREAS, there is a substantial number of Filipinos and Philippine juridical persons in Sabah;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO , President of the
Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby
order:

SECTION 1. Authority. — The Philippine Economic and Cultural
Center is hereby authorized to assist in the performance of the
following functions:

a) Disseminate information about the Philippines and facilitate
cooperation between the Philippines and Malaysia in various fields and
endeavors;

b) Promote the welfare of and assist Filipinos and Philippine
juridical persons in Sabah in respect of labor, security, trade,
investment, economic, tourism, cultural, educational and other matters;

c) Conduct periodic assessments of the social and economic conditions in Sabah and their effects on the Filipinos in Sabah; and

d) Draw-up and recommend effective mechanisms that will facilitate the travel of Filipinos to and from Sabah.

In assisting in the performance of the above functions, the
Philippine Economic and Cultural Center shall conduct consultations with
Filipinos in Sabah and other concerned sectors and seek policy guidance
from and submit quarterly reports to the Office of the President.

SECTION 2. Repealing Clause. — All executive orders, instructions,
rules and regulations or parts thereof which are contrary or
inconsistent with the provisions of this Executive Order are hereby
repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 3. Effectivity. — This Executive Order shall take effect immediately.

City of Manila, October 18, 2001.

(SGD.) GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO

By the President:

(SGD.) AVELINO J. CRUZ, JR.
Acting Executive Secretary