WHEREAS, smuggling and other acts contrary to customs laws committed on a large scale or by criminal syndicates continue to pose a direct and serious threat to national economy;

WHEREAS, a comprehensive approach involving the different departments and agencies of government is necessary in order to eradicate this threat;

WHEREAS, under Section 31, Chapter 10, Title III, Book III of the Administrative Code of 1987, the President has the continuing authority to reorganize the administrative structure of the Executive department;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, President of the Republic of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me under the Constitution and existing laws, do hereby order:

SECTION 1. Creating a Task Force on Anti-Smuggling.  There is hereby created a Task Force on Anti-Smuggling to combat large scale smuggling.  Executive Order No. 297 dated March 10, 2004 entitled Creating the Office of the Anti-Smuggling Presidential Adviser is hereby reactivated in its entirety subject to the following amendments, to wit:

a) The Office of the Anti-Smuggling Presidential Adviser under the Office of the President is hereby abolished.  Its functions are hereby transferred to a Task Force on Anti-Smuggling with the Secretary of Interior and Local Government as Task Force Head and composed of personnel to be selected by the said Task Force Head.

b) The Task Force shall interface with the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Director for Anti-Smuggling on matters under the territorial jurisdiction of the SBMA.

SECTION 2. Funding. Funds for the operation of the Presidential Task Force shall be sourced from such funding sources as may be recommended by the Department of Budget and Management.

SECTION 3. Repealing Clause. All executive issuances, rules and regulations or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this Executive Order are hereby revoked, amended or modified accordingly.

SECTION. 4. Effectivity. This Executive Order shall take effect immediately.

Adopted: 16 Nov. 2004


(SGD.) GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO

By the President:

(SGD.) EDUARDO R. ERMITA
Executive Secretary