WHEREAS, Presidential Decree No. 857 mandates the Philippine Ports Authority with the administration, planning, development, financing and operation of the port zones designated under its control;

WHEREAS, there is a need to relocate some activities within the port zone, particularly along the Pasig River, to more appropriate areas for safety and other purposes;

WHEREAS, the City of Manila desires to integrate certain development proposals located in the Manila Port Zone and anchorages areas;

NOW, THEREFORE, I FIDEL V. RAMOS, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby order the following:

SECTION 1. Creation of the Manila Port Development Coordinating Committee. - There is hereby created a Manila Port Coordinating Committee which shall be responsible for the preparation, integration and program development for the Manila Port Zone. This project shall be considered a priority development project for the City of Manila and the Philippine Ports Authority.

SECTION 2. Composition. - The Manila Port Development Coordinating Committee shall be composed of representatives of the following:

    1. The Philippine Ports Authority - Chair

    2. The City of Manila - Co-Chair

    3. The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority - Member

    4. The Department of Transportation and Communications - Member

    5. The Department of Tourism - Member

    6. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources - Member

    7. The Housing and Urban Authority - Member

    8. The National Housing Authority - Member

    9. The Intramuros Administration - Member

    10. The Pasig River Rehabilitation Secretariat - Member

    11. The Tourist Belt Business Association (TBBA) - Member

SECTION 3. Powers, Functions and Responsibilities. - The committee shall:

a. Formulate and coordinate proposed plans of the City of Manila for the purpose of harmonizing or integrating the same into the Master Plan for the Port of Manila;

b. Consider the relocation and establishment of the manila Financial District along Bonifacio Drive;

c. Rationalize the utilization and allocation of the area for commercial, tourism and port-related establishment;

d. Determine, coordinate and plan for the transfer of all government agencies and offices occupying areas in the port zone to an appropriate Government Center within or, as appropriate, outside the port zone;

e. Recognize the rights of existing lease holders provided that they shall conform with the development plan for the area;

f. Coordinate with all government agencies concerned for the removal and relocation of all illegal occupants in the area; and

g. Determine what properties may be made available for the sale to the private sector in accordance with the Development Plan.

SECTION 4. The Committee is hereby authorized to avail of the services of other government agencies, as may be necessary, in the performance of their tasks. The Authority is further authorized to hire Consultants in the preparation of plans and documents for the bidding and in the evaluation of bids for the development of the south harbor expanded Port Zone. Funding for the consultancy services shall be charged against the corporate funds of the Authority.

SECTION 5. All Heads of government offices shall cooperate and provide assistance to the committee as needed.

SECTION 6. The Committee shall submit its report to the President for information and/or action within ninety (90) days hereof, including a timetable for the execution for the plan, which shall be incorporated in the Philippine Ports Authority's 25-Year Master Plan.

SECTION 7. Effectivity. - This Administrative Order shall take effect immediately.

Adopted: 18 Jan. 1996


By the President: