EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 132 February 27, 1987

REORGANIZING THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

WHEREAS, under Article II, Section 1, of the Provisional Constitution, as adopted in Proclamation No. 3 dated March 25, 1986, the President shall give priority to measures to achieve the mandate of the people to completely reorganize the government;

WHEREAS, Article XVIII, Section 16, of the 1987 Constitution recognizes that the reorganization of the government shall be continued even after the ratification of the Constitution;

WHEREAS, under Article XVIII, Section 6, of the 1987 Constitution, the President shall continue to exercise legislative powers until the First Congress is convened;

WHEREAS, the reorganization of the Department of Foreign Affairs must be undertaken in the context and furtherance of a unified government approach to foreign affairs, characterized by institutionalized, regular, and systematic coordination among all the departments involved, as well as by coherent planning and efficient implementation of the nation's foreign policy objectives:

NOW, THEREFORE, I, CORAZON C. AQUINO, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Constitution, do hereby order:

Sec. 1. Title. This Executive Order shall otherwise be known as the Reorganization Act of the Department of Foreign Affairs.

Sec. 2. Reorganization. The Department of Foreign Affairs, hereinafter referred to as Department, is hereby reorganized, structurally and functionally, in accordance with the provisions of this Executive Order.

Sec. 3. Declaration of Policy. It is the policy of the State to pursue an independent foreign policy in order to more resolutely design and harness its foreign relations in the active pursuit of rapid national recovery and sustained long-term growth and development, within the framework of national sovereignty, security, territorial integrity, national interest, right to self-determination and commitment to international peace.

Sec. 4. Mandate. The Department shall advise and assist the President in planning, organizing, directing, coordinating, integrating and evaluating the total national effort in the field of foreign relations.

Sec. 5. Powers and Functions. To carry out its mandate and accomplish its mission, the Department shall undertake the following functions:

(a) Conduct the country's foreign relations in accordance with the policies laid down by the President;

(b) Maintain and develop the country's representation with foreign governments;

(c) Conduct Philippine representation in the United Nations, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and other international and regional organizations;

(d) Serve as the channel for matters involving foreign relations, including official communications to and from the Republic of the Philippines;

(e) Negotiate treaties and other agreements pursuant to instructions of the President, and in coordination, when necessary, with other government agencies;

(f) In cooperation with other government agencies and the private sector, promote trade, investments, tourism, and other economic relations with other countries;

(g) Foster cultural relations with other countries and protect and enhance the Philippines image abroad;

(h) In cooperation with other government agencies, undertake efforts to inform the international community about the Philippines;

(i) Protect and assist the Philippine nationals abroad;

(j) Carry out legal documentation functions as provided for by laws and regulations;

(k) Monitor and analyze events in other countries and report them, as appropriate, to the President and other government agencies;

(l) In cooperation with other government agencies, initiate, formulate, integrate, and submit to the President short-, medium-, and long-range foreign policy plans and programs;

(m) Supervise and direct all officials and employees assigned by the Department and other government agencies to Foreign Service establishments abroad in accordance with the pertinent laws, rules and inter-agency agreements;

(n) Recruit, maintain and develop a professional career foreign service based on merit.

Sec. 6. Secretary of Foreign Affairs. The authority and responsibility of the Department for the discharge of its powers and functions shall be vested in the Secretary of Foreign Affairs, hereinafter referred to as Secretary, who shall be appointed by the President and shall have supervision and control over the Department and the Foreign Service.

The Secretary may designate as Special Advisers such Chiefs of Mission on home assignment on specific areas of their expertise as may be required by the exigencies of the service. The Secretary may also create such advisory boards and committees as he may deem necessary to assist and provide him with advice in the formulation of substantive policies, and such other bodies required by existing laws, rules and regulations.

Sec. 7. Functions of Secretary. The Secretary shall have the following functions:

(a) Act as the primary and principal adviser of the President in the field of foreign relations;

(b) Advise the President on the promulgation of executive orders, rules and regulations, proclamation and other issuances relative to matters under the jurisdiction of the Department;

(c) Establish policies and standards for the efficient and effective operation of the Department in accordance with the programs and projects;

(d) Promulgate rules and regulations necessary to carry out the Department's objectives, policies, plans, programs and projects;

(e) Exercise supervision and control over all functions and activities of the Department;

(f) Supervise all attached agencies and corporations in accordance with law;

(g) Delegate authority for the performance of any function to officers and employees of the Department;

(h) Perform other functions as may be provided by law or appropriately assigned by the President.

Sec. 8. Organizational Structure. The Department shall have the following organizational units:

(a) Department Proper:

1. Office of the Secretary, including his immediate staff, the Office of the Legal Adviser, the Office of Coordination, Inspection and Policy Planning, the Office of Data Banking and Communication, the Office of Protocol, State and Official Visits, the Office of Intelligence and Security, and the Office of International Economic Relations. In addition, the following shall be directly under the supervision of the Secretary;

(i) Foreign Service Institute

(ii) UNESCO National Commission of the Philippines

(iii) Technical Assistance Council

(2) Offices of the Undersecretaries, including their respective immediate staffs;

(3) Offices of the Assistant Secretaries, including their respective immediate staffs;

(b) General Support Staff:

1. Cultural Affairs and Public Information Service;

2. Administrative Service;

(c) Home Offices:

1. Office of Asian and Pacific Affairs;

2. Office of Middle East and African Affairs;

3. Office of American Affairs;

4. Office of European Affairs;

5. Office of ASEAN Affairs;

6. Office of United Nations and International Organizations;

(d) Operations and Foreign Service Units:

1. Secretariat on Foreign Policy Implementation;

2. Office of Consular Affairs;

3. Philippine Embassies, Consulates, Legations and Permanent Missions.

Sec. 9. Undersecretaries. The Secretary may be assisted by three (3) Undersecretaries, who shall be appointed by the President upon the recommendation of the Secretary. The Secretary shall determine and assign the functional area of responsibility of each Undersecretary.

Sec. 10. Functions of Undersecretary. Within his area of responsibility, an Undersecretary shall have the following functions:

(a) Advise the Secretary on the promulgation of Department orders, administrative orders and other issuances;

(b) Exercise supervision and control over the units and personnel under his responsibility;

(c) Promulgate rules and regulations, consistent with Department policies, that will effectively implement the activities of units and personnel under his responsibility;

(d) Coordinate the functions and activities of units and personnel under the responsibility with those of units and personnel under the responsibility of the other Undersecretaries;

(e) Exercise delegated authority on substantive and administrative matters related to the functions and activities of units and personnel under his responsibility, to the extent granted by the Secretary through administrative issuances;

(f) Perform other functions as may be provided by law or appropriately assigned by the Secretary.

Sec. 11. Assistant Secretaries. The Secretary shall also be assisted by six (6) Assistant Secretaries who shall be appointed by the President upon recommendation of the Secretary. The Secretary shall delineate the respective area of responsibility of each Assistant Secretary.

Sec. 12. Office of the Legal Adviser. There is hereby created an Office of Legal Adviser. It shall be headed by a Legal Adviser who shall provide legal advice and services to the Department, including legal counselling services in the negotiation of treaties and international agreements.

Sec. 13. Office of Coordination, Inspection and Policy Planning. The Office of Coordination, Inspection and Policy Planning is hereby created and shall provide staff support to the Secretary and assist the Department in establishing a specialized competence on foreign policy planning and review and treaty development and evaluation. It shall, in connection therewith, assemble or assist in assembling the necessary inter-agency bodies, and in all instances, coordinate its activities with the relevant government agencies. For such purposes, it shall have the following functions:

(a) Assist the Secretary on all matters regarding foreign policy planning and studies;

(b) Provide, or participate in, the secretariat functions for Cabinet and Department level Committees dealing on foreign policies;

(c) Lead or participate in inter-agency sub-committees dealing on foreign policy matters;

(d) Undertake Department-wide integration, rationalization, and evaluation of political, diplomatic, and security plans and programs including current and prospective Department-initiated foreign treaties and agreements;

(e) Initiate and maintain, or assist in maintaining, the integration and rationalization of economic, trade, finance, scientific and tourism plans and programs including current and prospective treaties and agreements, with political, diplomatic, legal, and security plans and programs;

(f) In coordination with the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), provide the secretariat for an inter-agency Annual National Foreign Policy Planning Conference that shall initially generate recommendations on the long-term, five-year, and annual Foreign Policy Plans and Country Programs, and update them annually;

(g) Conduct an annual Department-wide Planning and Program Evaluation Conference to assess plan implementation and formulate or reformulate Department plans and programs accordingly and synchronize them with national foreign policy plans and programs;

(h) Undertake policy and strategic studies relevant to its functions;

(i) Initiate, coordinate and integrate the planning of foreign policy;

(j) Perform other related functions as may be assigned by the Secretary.

Sec. 14. Office of Data Banking and Communication. The Office of Data Banking and Communication is hereby created to establish and maintain the most modern data center feasible in the Department. For such purpose, it shall have the following functions:

(a) Assist the Secretary on all matters regarding data banking and information retrieval;

(b) Establish, maintain and develop a computerized foreign-relations data bank that shall continuously seek to be the most complete repository of all data and information on Philippine foreign relations and foreign developments;

(c) Establish, maintain and develop both the domestic and foreign service communications system including efficient flow systems for all correspondence between and among all Department units;

(d) Establish, maintain and develop the records system of the entire Department;

(e) Provide technical assistance, whenever requested, to any service, office, or attached agency of the Department, on matters within its competence;

(g) Perform other related functions as may be assigned by the Secretary.

Sec. 15. Office of Protocol, State and Official Visits. The Office of Protocol, State and Official Visits shall coordinate preparations for state visits, the reception of the heads of State and of Governments, and of the highest foreign dignitaries, visiting the Philippines, including official visits of the Philippine officials abroad, as may be determined by the President. It shall also be responsible for handling all activities of the Department concerning protocol, ceremonials and socials; the proper observance and enforcement of all formalities, countries, facilities, immunities and privileges required by the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and Consular Relations, and other applicable conventions and agreements.

Sec. 16. Office of Intelligence and Security. The Office of Intelligence and Security shall adopt as system of information gathering and analysis, liaison with the intelligence community and provide security services in the Department. It shall likewise undertake enforcement and monitoring of security procedures in the Department and Foreign Service establishments.

Sec. 17. Office of International Economic Relations. The Office of International Economic Relations shall be responsible for conducting the programs and activities of the Department in the fields of international trade, finance and economics; coordinate with the regional offices and the Office of United Nations and International Organizations; and in coordination with the Department of Trade and Industry, conduct trade and investment promotion activities of the Department.

The Board of Overseas Economic Promotion is hereby abolished, and its functions and duties transferred to the Office of International Economic Relations.

Sec. 18. Foreign Service Institute. The Foreign Institute shall continue to operate under its charter, but shall be revitalized as the training, research, and career development arm of the Department, in accordance with such rules as may be prescribed by the Secretary. The Institute shall be an integral participant in the planning review process in the Department.

Sec. 19. UNESCO National Commission of the Philippines. The UNESCO National Commission of the Philippines shall advise the Philippine delegation to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) conference, and the Philippine Government, in matters relating to the UNESCO and shall function as a liaison agency in all matters of interest to it.

Sec. 20. Technical Assistance Council. The Technical Assistance Council shall continue to perform its present functions including the conduct and expansion of its programs.

Sec. 21. Board of Foreign Service Administration. The Board of Foreign Service Administration shall be attached to the Office of one Undersecretary and shall be composed of the Undersecretary as Chairman, and all the Assistant Secretaries, as members.

The Board shall be responsible for considering and recommending policies for the efficient and economical discharge of the administrative operations of the Department and the Foreign Service. It shall also consider and submit recommendations on policy and other important matters concerning personnel, including the appointment, assignment, and promotion of all Foreign Service Staff Employees, Foreign Service Staff Officers as well as to recommend, through the Secretary, to the President the appointment and promotion of Foreign Service Officers, Counsellors and Chiefs of Missions. It shall likewise act and submit recommendations on administrative cases involving personnel of the Department and the Foreign Service.

Sec. 22. Law of the Sea Secretariat. The Law of the Sea Secretariat is hereby transferred to the Department as an ad hoc body under the Office of one Undersecretary and shall continue to discharge its functions.

Sec. 23. Cultural Affairs and Public Information Services. The Cultural Affairs and Public Information Services is hereby created and shall initiate, coordinate, integrate, rationalize, monitor, report and evaluate cultural plans, programs and projects. It shall likewise be responsible for the Department's relations with local and foreign media and pertinent institutions, as well as the regular dissemination of relevant information to all foreign service establishments.

Sec. 24. Administrative Service. The Administrative Service is hereby created and shall provide the Department with services relating to personnel, facilities maintenance, medical and dental, and property and procurement, budget and finance, and accounting. For such purposes, it shall have the following functions:

(a) Advise the Secretary or Undersecretary concerned regarding administrative and financial matters;

(b) Develop and supervise the implementation of an integrated personnel plan that shall include career promotion, performance evaluation, job rotation, health and welfare services and personnel management;

(c) Develop and maintain an efficient and effective property procurement, maintenance and security system; establish a Department-wide asset control system;

(d) Undertake the budgeting, finance and accounting functions of the Department and develop efficient system and procedures in this regard;

(e) Perform other related functions as may assigned by the Secretary.

The Administrative Service shall have the following constituent offices:

(a) Office of Personnel Management;

(b) Office of Budget and Finance;

(c) Office of Property and Asset Control.

Sec. 25. Home Offices. The Home Offices enumerated under Section 3 (c) hereof shall have the following functions:

(a) Assist the Secretary or appropriate Undersecretary through the Assist Secretary concerned on all matters relating to specific countries and international organizations under their respective territorial or sectoral jurisdictions provided herein below;

(b) Monitor the activities and operations of the Philippine foreign service units in the countries or sectors under their respective territorial or sectoral jurisdictions provided herein below;

(c) Apprise the Philippine foreign service units under their respective jurisdiction of foreign policy developments in the Philippines including the creation or establishment of foreign relations-related entities and services, particularly those that will be based or shall have branches abroad;

(d) Evaluate specific issues transmitted by their respective foreign service units and recommend appropriate responses to them;

(e) Generate, on a regular basis, country briefs and reports on international organizations within their respective jurisdictions;

(f) Lead or assist in the formulation of Philippine positions on bilateral or multilateral treaties or agreements with countries or international organizations under their respective jurisdictions and lead or assist in the actual negotiation process;

(g) Perform other related functions as may be assigned by the Secretary.

The territorial or sectoral jurisdictions of the respective Home Offices shall be as follows:

(1) Office of Asian and Pacific Affairs: Japan and the Northeast Asian Countries, China, the Central Asia countries, the Southeast Asian and Pacific countries;

(2) Office of Middle East and African Affairs: the Gulf States, the Middle Eastern and North African countries, the Western African States and the Eastern African countries;

(3) Office of American Affairs: United States, Canada, the Central American and Carribean countries, and the South American States;

(4) Office of European Affairs: Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, the Western European countries and the Central European countries;

5. Office of ASEAN Affairs: ASEAN Agriculture and Transport, Trade and Finance, Social and Cultural, Industry and Technology;

6. Office of United Nations and International Organizations: United Nations, United Nations specialized agencies, and international organizations.

Sec. 26. Secretariat on Foreign Policy Implementation. The Secretariat on Foreign Policy Implementation is hereby created as the central body to assist, coordinate, and monitor the organization of inter-agency missions negotiating foreign policies and agreements here and abroad. For such purposes, it shall have the following functions:

(a) Provide liaison services between government agencies and Department units, including units under the various Cabinet committees and subcommittees, and initiating foreign and international entities; provide liaison service on proposed or planned transactions involving Philippine foreign policy and relations;

(b) Coordinate inter-agency efforts in the formation, launching, and provision of needed support for Department or inter-agency negotiating missions abroad tasked with implementing specific Philippine foreign policies, exclusive of those implemented by regular Philippine foreign service units;

(c) Monitor the progress of international negotiations and activities of Philippine missions here and abroad and submit progress reports to the President through the Secretary;

(d) Perform other related functions as may be assigned by the Secretary.

The Secretariat shall be composed of a core staff of Department career personnel but shall be augmented by personnel detailed from other concerned agencies.

Sec. 27. Office of Consular Affairs. The Office of Consular Affairs, presently existing, is hereby retained. It shall be responsible for the efficient and effective discharge of passport, visa, and authentication services as well as the provision of requisite assistance to Filipino citizens both here and abroad.

Sec. 28. The Foreign Service. All Philippine embassies, consulates, legations and permanent missions, presently existing, shall continue with their present functions subject to the provision herein below.

The Secretary is hereby ordered to conduct a study and submit to the President within one hundred twenty (120) days from the approval of this Executive Order the following:

(a) A reclassification of diplomatic and consular establishments using, among others, the following criteria of national interest: economic-trade interests, number of Filipino resident nationals, geopolitical significance of the post and historical-cultural considerations;

(b) A reshuffling plan for foreign service personnel strictly adhering to the policy of placing personnel in posts where he or she has had the best preparation or training for and in accordance with the standing policy on rotation of assignments such that no personnel shall remain at one post for an unreasonably extended period;

(c) Recommendation on the consolidation of diplomatic and consular posts and the creation of others in accordance with the policy expressed in Section 3 hereof;

(d) Measures to realize the efficient and effective supervision and control by the Department of foreign service posts and establishments therein of other departments and agencies;

Sec. 29. Attached Agencies. The following shall be complied with:

(a) The Office of International Affairs is hereby attached to the Department but shall continue to serve as the permanent secretariat for the Cabinet's Foreign Policy Council and the Committee on Foreign Relations;

(b) The Board of Foreign Service Examiners, shall continue to be attached to the Department: Provided, That the membership of the Board shall be reconstituted to be composed of the Assistant Secretary in charge of the Administrative Service as chairman and a Commissioner of the Civil Service Commission designated by the Chairman of said Commission and the Director of the Foreign Service Institute as members.

Sec. 30. Transitory Provision. In accomplishing the acts of reorganization herein prescribed, the following transitory provisions shall be complied with, unless otherwise provided elsewhere in this Executive Order.

(a) The transfer of a government unit shall include the functions, appropriations, funds, records, equipment, facilities, choses in action, rights, other assets, and liabilities, if any, of the transferred unit as well as the personnel thereof, as may be necessary, who shall, in a hold-over capacity, continue to perform their respective duties and responsibilities and receive the corresponding salaries and benefits: Provided, That those personnel of the transferred unit whose positions are not included in the Department's new position structure and staffing pattern approved and prescribed by the Secretary or who are not reappointed shall be deemed separated from the service and shall be entitled to the benefits provided under the second paragraph of Section 31 hereof.

(b) The transfer of functions which results in the abolition of the government unit that has exercised them shall include the appropriations, funds, records, equipments, facilities, choses in action, rights, other assets and personnel as may be necessary to the proper discharge of the transferred functions. The abolished unit's remaining appropriations and funds, if any, shall revert to the General Fund and its remaining assets, if any, shall be allocated to such appropriate units as the Secretary shall determine or shall otherwise be disposed in accordance with the Government Auditing Code and other pertinent laws, rules and regulations. Its personnel shall, in a hold-over capacity continue to perform their duties and responsibilities and receive the corresponding salaries and benefits: Provided, That its personnel, whose positions are not included in the Department's new position structure and staffing pattern approved prescribed by the Secretary under Section 31 hereof or who are not reappointed, shall be deemed separated from the service and shall be entitled to the benefits provided under the second paragraph of the same Section 31.

(c) The transfer of functions which does not result in the abolition of the government unit that has exercised them shall include the appropriations, funds, records, equipment, facilities, choses in action, rights, other assets and personnel as may be necessary to the proper discharge of the transferred functions. The liabilities if any, that may have been incurred in connection with the discharge of the transferred functions, shall be treated in accordance with the Government Auditing Code and other pertinent laws, rules and regulations. Its personnel shall, in a hold-over capacity continue to perform their respective duties and responsibilities and receive the corresponding salaries and benefits: Provided, That any personnel, whose position is not included in the Department's new position structure and staffing pattern approved and prescribed by the Secretary under Section 31 hereof or who has not been reappointed, shall be deemed separated from the service and shall be entitled to the benefits provided under the second paragraph of the same Section 31.

(d) In case of the abolition of a government unit which does not result in the transfer of its functions to another unit, the appropriations and funds of the abolished unit shall revert to the General Fund, while the records, equipment, facilities, choses in action, rights, and other assets thereof shall be allocated to such appropriate units as the Secretary shall determine. The liabilities of the abolished unit shall be treated in accordance with the Government Auditing Code and other pertinent laws, rules and regulations, while the personnel thereof, whose positions are not included in the Department's new position structure and staffing pattern approved and prescribed by the Secretary under Section 31 hereof or who have not been reappointed, shall be deemed separated from the service and shall be entitled to the benefits provided under the second paragraph of the same Section 31.

(e) In case of merger or consolidation of government units, the new or surviving unit shall exercise the functions (subject to the reorganization herein prescribed and the laws, rules and regulations pertinent to the exercise of such functions) and shall acquire the appropriations, funds, records, equipment, facilities, choses in action, rights, other assets, liabilities if any, and personnel, as may be necessary, of (1) the units that compose the merged unit or (2) the absorbed unit, as the case may be. Such personnel shall, in a hold-over capacity, continue to perform their respective duties and responsibilities and receive the corresponding salaries and benefits: Provided, That any such personnel, whose position is not included in the new position structure and staffing pattern approved and prescribed by the Secretary under Section 31 hereof or who is not reappointed, shall be deemed separated from the service and shall be entitled to the benefits provided under the second paragraph of the same Section 31.

(f) In case of termination of a function which does not result in the abolition of the government unit which has performed such function, the appropriations and funds intended to finance and discharge of such function shall revert to the General Fund, while the records, equipment, facilities, choses in action, rights and other assets used in connection with the discharge of such function shall be allocated to the appropriate units as the Secretary shall determine or shall otherwise be disposed in accordance with the Government Auditing Code and other pertinent laws, rules and regulations. The liabilities, if any, that may have been incurred in connection with the discharge of such function shall likewise be treated in accordance with the Government Auditing Code and other pertinent laws, rules and regulations. The personnel who have performed such functions, whose position are not included in the Department's new position structure and staffing pattern approved and prescribed by the Secretary under Section 31 hereof or who have not been reappointed, shall be deemed separated from the service and shall be entitled to the benefits provided under the second paragraph of the same Section 31.

Sec. 31. New Structure and Pattern. Upon approval of this Executive Order, the officers and employees of the Department shall, in a hold-over capacity, continue to perform their respective duties and responsibilities and receive the corresponding salaries and benefits.

The new position structure and staffing pattern of the Department shall be approved and prescribed by the Secretary within one hundred twenty (120) days from the approval of this Executive Order and the authorized positions created thereunder shall be filled with regular appointments by him or by the President, as the case may be. Those incumbents whose positions are not included therein or who are not reappointed shall be deemed separated from the service. Those separated from the service shall receive the retirement benefits to which they may be entitled under existing laws, rules and regulations. Otherwise, they shall be paid the equivalent of one-month basic salary for every year of service or fraction thereof, computed on the basis of the highest salary received, but in no case shall such payment exceed the equivalent of twelve (12) months salary.

Sec. 32. Periodic Performance Evaluation. The Secretary is hereby required to formulated and enforce a system of measuring and evaluating periodically and objectively the performance of the Department and submit the same annually to the President.

Sec. 33. Notice or Consent Requirement. If any reorganizational change herein authorized is of such substance or materiality as to prejudice third persons with rights reorganized by law or contract such that notice to or consent of creditors is required to be made or obtained pursuant to any agreement entered into with any of such creditors, such notice or consent requirement shall be complied with prior to the implementation of such reorganizational change.

Sec. 34. Prohibition Against Change. No change in the reorganization herein prescribed shall be valid except upon prior approval of the President for the purpose of promoting efficiency and effectiveness in the delivery of public services.

Sec. 35. Funding. Funds needed to carry out the provisions of this Executive Order shall be taken from funds available in the Department.

Sec. 36. Implementing Authority of Secretary. The Secretary shall issue such rules, regulations and other issuances as may be necessary to ensure the efficient and effective implementation of the provisions of this Executive Order.

Sec. 37. Separability. Any portion or provision of this Executive Order that may be declared unconstitutional shall not have the effect of nullifying other portions or provisions hereof as long as such remaining portions or provisions can still subsist and be given effect in their entirety.

Sec. 38. Repealing clause. All laws, ordinances, rules, regulations, other issuances or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with this Executive Order, are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

Sec. 39. Effectivity. This Executive Order shall take effect immediately upon its approval.

APPROVED in the City of Manila, Philippines, this 27th day of February, in the Year of Our Lord, Nineteen Hundred and Eighty-Seven.


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