WHEREAS, the Public Estate Authority (PEA) was created pursuant to Presidential Decree No. 1084 to provide for a coordinated, economical and efficient reclamation of lands and the administration and operation of land belonging to, managed or operated by the government, with the object of maximizing their utilization and hastening their development consistent with the public interest;

WHEREAS, pursuant to Executive Order No. 525, the PEA was designated as the agency primary responsible for integrating, directing and coordinating all reclamation projects for and in behalf of the National Government;

WHEREAS, Section 31, Chapter 10, Title III, Book III of the Administrative Code of 1987, grants to the President continuing authority to reorganize the government;

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. The Public Estate Authority is hereby transferred from the Office of the President to the Department of Public Works and Highways.

SEC. 2. All orders, issuances, rules and regulations, or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this Executive Order are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 3. This Executive Order shall take effect immediately.

DONE, in the City of Manila this 21ST day of April in the year of Or Lord, Two Thousand and Three.

By the President:

(Sgd.) ALBERTO G. ROMULO
Executive Secretary