WHEREAS, Executive Order No. 202, entitled "Providing for the Creation of a Philippine Task Force on Hazardous Wastes in Former U.S. Military Installations", was approved on 18 January 2000;

WHEREAS, on July 27, 2000, the RP-US Joint Statement on a Framework for Bilateral Cooperation in the Environment and Public Health was signed in pursuit of enhancing the capacities of the Philippines and the United States for improved environmental and public health management through bilateral activities;

WHEREAS, the President gave instructions to transfer the Chairmanship of the Philippine Task Force on Hazardous Wastes (PTFHW) to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) during the 4 December 2001 Cabinet meeting.

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

SECTION 1. Section 1 of E.O. 202 is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Section 1. Lead Agency for Hazardous Wastes. Hazardous Wastes shall be under the overall program and technical supervision of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).  The DENR shall be responsible for the formulation of an action plan to include identification of specific responsibilities of concerned agencies, mode of clean-up and restoration operations, funding and financing sources, and turn-over and mainstreaming strategies and other related concerns for the implementation of the action plan."

SEC. 2. Section 2.1 of Executive Order No. 202 is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Section 2.1. Authority to Create Task Forces. The Secretary, DENR, is authorized to create task forces as necessary to carry out the function of addressing hazardous wastes."

SEC. 3. Section 2.2 of Executive Order No. 202 is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Section 2.2. Creation of a Hazardous Wastes Management Office. There is hereby created a Hazardous Wastes Management Office to assist the DENR Secretary."

SEC. 4. Administrative Support. Hazardous Waste Management Office shall provide administrative and technical secretariat support to the DENR Secretary.

SEC. 5. Section 3 of Executive Order No. 202 is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Section 3. Duties and Functions. The DENR Secretary shall pursue the following duties and functions:

1. Formulate and implement plans of action to address the issue of hazardous wastes contamination in former U.S. military installations in particular, and in pursuit of the RP-US Joint Statement within the Framework for Bilateral Cooperation on the Environment and Public Health in general.

2. Ensure that studies are undertaken to assess the extent of hazardous wastes contamination and its effects on the environment and human health.

3. Initiate and coordinate clean-up and environmental restoration activities in identified sites including former U.S. military installations.

4. Ensure long-term capability building programs of technical transfer which focus on the identification, assessment, analysis and clean-up/rehabilitation, of contaminated sites in the former U.S. military installations, as well as other sites that may be in accordance with the Joint Statement.

5. Secure the firm cooperation of international organizations, U.S. agencies, the private sector, NGOs and other entities in harnessing and making available technical, administrative and financial resources for effective implementation of the pertinent plans of action, programs and projects.

6. Assist in the formulation and implementation of applicable government policies, laws, rules and regulations in connection with the clean-up of hazardous wastes in former U.S. military installations, and in other sites that may be identified under the Joint Statement.

7. Conduct and coordinate public information, education and communication campaigns concerning the Joint Statement within the Framework for Bilateral Cooperation in the Environment and Public Health, and in issues arising from the presence of hazardous substances in former U.S. Military installations.

8. Represent the Government of the Philippines in consultations, meetings and negotiations concerning issues arising from the presence of hazardous substances in former U.S. military installations and all other related matters.

9. Establish Technical Working Groups as may be needed, consistent with the Joint Statement on a Framework for Bilateral Cooperation in the Environment and Public Health.

10. Perform other related functions which may be deemed necessary by the President."

SEC. 6. Section 4 of Executive Order No. 202 is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Section 4. Funding and Operational Requirements. The DENR Secretary shall submit to the Department of Budget and Management its initial operational requirements.  Funding for the said initial operational requirements shall be sourced from any appropriate source as may be determined, consistent with budgeting, accounting and auditing rules and regulations."

SEC 7. Repealing Clause. All other provisions of Executive Order No. 202 dated 18 January 2000 and other executive issuances inconsistent herewith are hereby modified or repealed accordingly.

SEC 8. Effectivity. This Executive Order shall take effect immediately.

Adopted: 22 June 2004


By the President:

(SGD.) ALBERTO G. ROMULO
Executive Secretary