RETURNING AND PLACING THE GOVERNMENT PORTS OF JOLO UNDER THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE PHILIPPINE PORTS AUTHORITY

WHEREAS, pursuant to Sections 1 and 15, Article X of the
Constitution, Republic Act No. 6734 entitled “An Act Providing for an
Organic Act for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao” was enacted;

WHEREAS, under Section 2, Article V of Republic Act No. 6734, the
Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) has jurisdiction over
matters devolved to it by the Constitution and the Organic Act which
include, among others, the powers, functions and responsibilities now
being exercised by the departments of the National Government;

WHEREAS, on August 28, 1997, the President issued Executive Order 435
entitled “Devolving to the Autonomous Regional Government of the
Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao certain Powers and Functions of the
Department of Transportation and Communications, its Sectoral Offices
and Attached Agencies in the Region, and for Other Purposes”;

WHEREAS, pursuant to Department of Transportation and Communications
Order No. 97-1113 implementing Executive Order No. 435, the Port of Jolo
was among those ports devolved to the Autonomous Regional Government;

WHEREAS, the Port of Jolo serves as the primary port in the region
and plays a vital role in maintaining the economic and trade linkages
with the other nearby islands as well as with Zamboanga and the rest of
Mindanao;

WHEREAS, there is an urgent need to accelerate the development and
modernization of the Port of Jolo to make it at par with other ports of
the country;

WHEREAS, as requested by the local government units concerned, the
Philippine Ports Authority has agreed to finance, develop and operate
the Port of Jolo to upgrade its facilities and services under its direct
administration;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH EJERCITO ESTRADA, President of the Republic
of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do
hereby order:

1. The ownership, administration and operation of the Port of Jolo
in the Province of Sulu is hereby returned to the Philippine Ports
Authority. All port facilities, buildings, equipment and furnitures and
fixtures in the Port of Jolo are likewise directed to be turned over to
the Philippine Ports Authority.

2. The Philippine Ports Authority and Autonomous Regional Government
in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao are hereby directed to
ensure a smooth turnover of the above port and its facilities.

3. Executive Order No. 435 and all other orders, proclamations,
policies, rules and regulations which are inconsistent with this Order
are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

4. This Order shall take effect immediately.

Adopted: 10 Dec. 1999

By the President:

(SGD.) RONALDO B. ZAMORA
           Executive Secretary