TRANSFERRING THE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE (IPO) FROM THE OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY TO THE DEPARTMENT OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY

WHEREAS, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is the primary
coordinative, promotive, facilitative and regulatory arm of the
Executive Branch of government in the area of trade, industry and
investment;

WHEREAS, the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) was
established to act as the principal government agency tasked to oversee
and implement state policies on the protection and enforcement of
intellectual property rights;

WHEREAS, in order to facilitate
coordination of policies and programs between these agencies, it is
necessary to place the IPO under the DTI;

WHEREAS, Section 31
(3), Chapter 10, Title III, Book III of the Administrative Code of 1987,
authorizes the President to “[T]ransfer any agency under the Office of
the President to any other department or agency x x x”.

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 the following:

SECTION 1.
The Intellectual Property Office (IPO) is hereby transferred from the
Office of the Executive Secretary, and attached to the Department of
Trade and Industry.

SECTION 2. All orders,
issuances, rules and regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with this
Executive Order are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 3. This Executive Order shall take effect immediately.
Adopted: 09 Aug. 2004

By the President:

(SGD.) ALBERTO G. ROMULO

Executive Secretary