WHEREAS, there are alarming reports that illegal recruitment for work abroad remain unabated;

WHEREAS, it is of critical importance that the State safeguard public interest and protect the welfare of Filipino workers from unscrupulous recruiters and syndicates who employ nefarious means to entice Filipinos to go abroad under onerous and exploitative conditions;

WHEREAS, coordination between and among agencies engaged in the anti-illegal recruitment drive must be enhanced to efficiently address the illegal recruitment concerns;

WHEREAS, the Administrative Code of 1987 vests the President with continuing authority to reorganize the administrative structure of the Office of the President;

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. Creation and Function of Presidential Anti-Illegal Recruitment Task Force. There is hereby created a Presidential Anti-Illegal Recruitment Task Force (PAIRTF), tasked to: a) develop and execute strategies and schemes against the modus operandi of illegal recruiters such as, but not limited to, "escort" services within our international airports and other points of departure, b) develop and execute strategies and schemes against syndicates responsible for tampering and sale of spurious passports and travel documents; and c) ensure the prosecution of illegal recruiters, syndicates and protectors.

SECTION 2. Composition. The PAIRTF shall be composed of a Chairman, who shall be appointed or designated by the President, and a sufficient number of members as may be determined by the Chairman, from the staff of the National Bureau of Investigation, the Philippine National Police and other relevant government agencies, who shall be detailed to the PAIRTF by their respective heads.

SECTION 3. Office. The Manila International Airport Authority shall provide sufficient space at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) to serve as the principal office of the PAIRTF.

SECTION 4. Powers of the PAIRTF. In pursuit of its functions as defined in Section 1 hereof, the PAIRTF shall have the responsibility and authority to:

a.    conduct surveillance and entrapment operations of persons alleged to be engaged in illegal recruitment including, but not limited to, "escort" services at international airports and other points of departure;

b.    cause or direct the immediate investigation and speedy prosecution of cases involving illegal recruitment and monitor the progress of such cases;

c.    coordinate with existing bodies, agencies and other instrumentalities currently involved in the campaign against illegal recruitment;

d.    perform other powers and functions as may be necessary for the effective discharge of its function or as may be directed by the Oversight Committee or the President.

SECTION 5. Oversight Committee. There is hereby created an Oversight Committee, chaired by the Secretary of Labor and Employment, to ensure the active participation and cooperation of government agencies and instrumentalities involved in anti-illegal recruitment efforts.  The members of the Committee shall be composed of the following:

Secretary, Department of Foreign Affairs
General Manager, Manila International Airport Authority
Director, National Bureau of Investigation
Chief State Prosecutor, Department of Justice
Chief, Philippine National Police
Administrator, Philippine Overseas Employment Administration
Commissioner, Bureau of Immigration

SECTION 6. Assistance and Cooperation. In addition to the above-mentioned agencies, all other government agencies are hereby directed to actively cooperate with and support the anti-illegal recruitment campaign.  For this purpose, the Chairman may call upon the heads of such government agencies for assistance, as may be necessary, from time to time.

SECTION 7. Funding. The Secretary of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) shall identify and recommend to the President the fund source for the TEN MILLION PESOS administrative and operational expenses budget of the PAIRTF.  The DBM shall source additional financial requirements that may be needed by the PAIRTF from available funds of concerned agencies involved in the campaign against illegal recruitment, subject to the usual government and accounting and auditing rules and regulations.

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

SECTION 9. Effectivity. This Executive Order shall take effect immediately and shall remain in full force for a period of one year.

Adopted: 9 July 2004


By the President:

(SGD.) ALBERTO G. ROMULO
Executive Secretary