WHEREAS, the development of information and communications technology (ICT) is crucial to the country ™s global competitiveness;

WHEREAS, while our country has enjoyed the major share of the global ICT outsourcing business, its long-term sustainability hinges on our ability to innovate on ICT solutions and facilities which is crucial to our ICT industry ™s competitiveness in a dynamic global market;

WHEREAS, the Commission on Information and Communications Technology (CICT) established under Executive Order No. 269 (s. 2004) acts as the executive arm in promoting, developing and regulating integrated and strategic ICT systems and reliable and cost-efficient communication facilities and services;

WHEREAS, the CICT, under the Office of the President, has direct supervision and control over the National Computer Center (NCC) and the Telecommunications Office (TELOF) by virtue of Executive Order Nos. 269 (s. 2004) and 780 (s. 2009) as amended, respectively;

WHEREAS, the transfer and reorientation of the functions of CICT and its attached agencies to the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) will strengthen the alignment of ICT development with the thrust of the department to provide continuing innovation as the core of the sustained global competitiveness of our country ™s ICT industry; and

WHEREAS, the President, under Article VII, Section 17 of the Constitution, has the power and control over executive departments, bureaus and offices, as well as the continuing authority under existing laws to reorganize such executive departments, bureaus and agencies.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BENIGNO S. AQUINO III, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby order:

SECTION 1. Reorganizing, Renaming and Transferring the CICT to DOST. The CICT is hereby renamed the Information and Communications Technology Office (ICTO) and is hereby placed under the policy, technical and administrative supervision of DOST. The ICTO shall be headed by an Executive Director, with the rank of an Undersecretary, who shall report directly to the DOST Secretary. The positions of Chairman and Commissioners of the CICT are hereby abolished.

SECTION 2. Functions. The ICTO shall perform the following functions:

a) Formulate, recommend and implement an appropriate policy and program framework that will promote the rapid development and improved global competitiveness of our country ™s information and communications technology industry through research and development and through effective linkages to industry;

b) Ensure the provision of efficient and effective information and communications technology infrastructure, information systems and resources to support efficient, effective, transparent and accountable governance and, in particular, support the speedy and efficient enforcement of rules and delivery of accessible public services to the people;

c) Conduct continuing research and development in partnership with the academe towards improving the quality of ICT education and the production of globally competitive ICT manpower;

d) Build the capacities of public sector institutions and their personnel in the use of ICT to improve planning, management, delivery of mission, critical functions and monitoring and evaluation;

e) Formulate the Government Information System Plan and administer the E-Governance Fund; and,

f) Perform such other related functions as may be assigned.

SECTION 3. Transfer of the NCC and the TELOF to DOST. The NCC and the TELOF are hereby transferred to DOST and will form part of the internal structure of the ICTO.

SECTION 4. Retention of Other Agencies under the Office of the President. The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) and the Philippine Postal Corporation (PHILPOST) shall continue to be under the Office of the President.

SECTION 5. Preparation and Approval of Rationalization Plan. The DOST Secretary is hereby directed to submit to the Office of the President within three (3) months upon the effectivity of this Order, a rationalization plan which will:

a) Prepare a medium-term development plan for ICT research and development and its  linkages to the  ICT industry,  and  a  medium-term  e-governance infrastructure and information systems plan in order to support improvements in the global competitiveness of our country ™s economy;

b) Based on the medium-term plans, define the appropriate internal structure and functional configuration as well as the staffing pattern of the ICTO, considering its redefined functions and the integration of the NCC and TELOF into it;

c) Reconfigure the appropriations and all other funding sources of the CICT, NCC and TELOF into an efficient budget that will support the implementation of the medium-term plans and the new organizational structure; and,

d) Provide safety nets, including retaining, redeployment, retirement and other appropriate services and benefits to all affected personnel in accordance with civil service and other relevant laws and generally build the capacities of the ICTO manpower.

SECTION 6. Continuity of Operations Pending the Approval of the Rationalization Plan. Pending the submission and approval of the rationalization plan, all personnel whose functions are not otherwise abolished under this order shall continue to perform functions as may be assigned by the DOST Secretary.

SECTION 7. Separability Clause. If any provision of this Executive Order is declared invalid or unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected thereby shall remain valid and subsisting.

SECTION 8. Repealing Clause. All orders, rules, regulations, and issuances, or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with this Executive Order, are hereby repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.

SECTION 9. Effectivity. This Executive Order shall take effect immediately upon publication in a newspaper of general circulation.

DONE, in the City of Manila, this 23th day of June, in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Eleven.

 

	(SGD.)BENIGNO S. AQUINO III
	President of the Philippines
By the President:
(SGD.) PAQUITO N.  OCHOA, JR.
Executive Secretary

(Sgd.) BENIGNO S. AQUINO III

By the President:

(Sgd.) PAQUITO N. OCHOA, JR.

Executive Secretary