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and all other orders, proclamations, policies, rules and regulations which are inconsistent with this Order are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.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