WHEREAS, interfaith initiatives have always been the cornerstone of Philippine policy and as such, the Philippine government created and maintained the enabling environment which will ultimately lead towards peace and development;

WHEREAS, the Philippines has always maintained its lead on interfaith initiatives in the international community as evidenced by, among others, the successful chairing of the First Informal Meeting of World Leaders on Interfaith Dialogue and Cooperation for Peace in the United Nations (UN) on 13 September 2005; the hosting of the Second Dialogue on Regional Interfaith Cooperation for Peace, Development and Human Dignity on 14-16 March 2006 in Cebu; the launching and chairmanship of the Tripartite Forum on Interfaith Cooperation for Peace; and the continuous advocacy of the United Nations General Assembly Resolution on the Promotion of Inter-religious and Intercultural Dialogue, Understanding and Cooperation for Peace since 2004;

WHEREAS, the 118 Heads of States or Governments of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) accepted the Philippine offer to host the Special NAM Ministerial Meeting on Interfaith Dialogue and Cooperation for Peace and Development during the 14th NAM Summit in Havana, Cuba in September 2006;

WHEREAS, there is a need to constitute a national committee to organize and carry out efficiently and effectively all the scheduled activities relative to the hosting of the Special NAM Ministerial Meeting on Interfaith Dialogue and Cooperation for Peace and Development;

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

SECTION 1. Lead - The Secretary of Foreign Affairs, with an Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs designated for the purpose as alternate shall be the lead to organize the hosting of the Special NAM Ministerial Meeting on Interfaith Dialogue and Cooperation for Peace and Development.

SECTION 2. Agency Support - The Secretary of Foreign Affairs or his designated Undersecretary as alternate shall coordinate with and seek technical, financial and administrative support from the Office of the Executive Secretary (OES), Department of Budget and Management (DBM), Department of Education (DepEd), Department of Finance (DOF), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Department of National Defense (DND), Office of the Press Secretary (OPS), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of Tourism (DOT), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC), Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP), Presidential Council for Values Formation (PCVF), Office of the Group Commander - Presidential Security Group, concerned local government units in the cities of Manila, Pasay and other places where Special NAM Ministerial Meeting events might be held.

SECTION 3. Tasks and Functions - The Secretary of Foreign Affairs or his designated Undersecretary as alternate shall perform the following tasks and functions:

3.1	Formulate and recommend a work program and budget plan for the hosting of the Special NAM Ministerial Meeting on Interfaith Dialogue and Cooperation for Peace and Development to the President;
3.2	Implement the work program once approved by the President and supervise and monitor all activities in relation thereto;
3.3	Call upon any official, agent, employee, agency or instrumentality of the national or local government for any assistance that may be necessary to ensure the success of the Philippine hosting of the Special NAM Ministerial Meeting on Interfaith Dialogue and Cooperation for Peace and Development and its related meetings;
3.4	Engage the support, assistance and cooperation of the private/business and religious sectors as well as faith-based non-governmental organizations in the preparation and conduct of the meetings;
3.5	Create committees, task forces and other appropriate bodies to effectively carry out its objectives;
3.6	Subject to existing laws, rules and regulations enter into agreements and contracts necessary for the attainment of the objectives of this Administrative Order, including contracts for services.

SECTION 4. Coordination with CII -The Secretary of Foreign Affairs or his designated Undersecretary as alternate shall coordinate with the Council on Interfaith Initiatives (CII) composed of the Presidential Council on Values Formation (PCVF), Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process and the Department of Foreign Affairs, which shall continue to consolidate, rationalize and ensure the consistency of the country's policies and position in various interfaith initiatives and forums in and outside the country as mandated by Executive Order No. 714 of 12 March 2008.

SECTION 5. Funding - The funding requirement for the preparation and hosting of the Special NAM Ministerial Meeting on Interfaith Dialogue and Cooperation for Peace and Development in the amount of TWO HUNDRED MILLION PESOS (P200,000,000.00) shall be sourced from the International Commitments Fund (ICF) under the FY 2009 Budget.

SECTION 6. Administrative Guidelines/Order - The Secretary of Foreign Affairs may adopt such administrative guidelines or regulations as may be necessary to achieve the objectives of the Administrative Order; provided that no delegation of functions may be exercised by anyone other than the designated Undersecretary as alternate.

SECTION 7. Effectivity - This Administrative Order shall take effect immediately.

DONE in the City of Manila, Philippines, this 28th day of August, in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Eight.


By the President:

(Sgd.) EDUARDO R. ERMITA
Executive Secretary