WHEREAS, the Philippines is implementing a program of tariff reduction for petrochemical resins and certain plastic products transferred from the Temporary Exclusion List (TEL) into the Inclusion List (IL) under the Common Effective Preferential Tariff (CEPT) Scheme for the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA);

WHEREAS, continued implementation of such tariff reduction schedule would cause real problems with respect to the establishment of a fully integrated and viable domestic petrochemical industry;

WHEREAS, the Protocol Regarding the Implementation of the CEPT Scheme Temporary Exclusion List allows a Member State to temporarily delay the transfer of a product from its TEL into the IL, or to temporarily suspend its concession on a product already transferred into the IL, if such a transfer or concession would cause or have caused real problems, by reasons which are not covered by Article 6 of the Agreement;

WHEREAS, the Protocol further states that its provisions shall apply only to the last tranche of TEL manufactured products which were in the TEL as of 31 December 1999 or the relevant dates applicable to Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar and Viet Nam;

WHEREAS, the last tranche of TEL manufactured products which were in the Philippine TEL as of 31 December 1999 includes subject articles;

WHEREAS, pursuant to E.O. 234 dated 27 April 2000, the CEPT rates of duty on subject articles will fall to 5% on 01 January 2003;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO, President of the Republic of the Philippines, pursuant to the powers vested in me under Section 402 of the Tariff and Customs Code of 1978 (Presidential Decree No. 1464), as amended, do hereby order:

SECTION 1. The implementation of the schedule of tariff reduction by the Philippines on the products listed in "Annex A" hereof under the AFTA-CEPT Scheme is hereby temporarily suspended.

SECTION 2. Upon the effectivity of this Executive Order, imports of subject articles from the ASEAN countries shall be levied the rates of import duty indicated in the aforesaid "Annex A".

SECTION 3. In the event that any subsequent changes are made in the basic (MFN) Philippine rate of duty on any of the subject articles, such articles shall automatically be accorded the corresponding amended rate of duty.

SECTION 4. All other Presidential issuances, administrative rules and regulations, or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with this Executive Order are hereby revoked or modified accordingly.

SECTION 5. This Executive Order shall take effect immediately following its complete publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation in the Philippines.

Done in the City of Manila, this 9th day of January, the year of our Lord Two Thousand and Three.

By the President:

(Sgd.) ALBERTO G. ROMULO
Executive Secretary

39.01 Polymers of ethylene, in primary forms. 3901.10 00 - Polyethylene having a specific gravity of less than 0.94 3901.20 00 - Polyethylene having a specific gravity of 0.94 or more 39.02 Polymers of propylene or of other olefins, in primary forms. 3902.10 00 - Polypropylene 39.03 Polymers of styrene, in primary forms. - Polystyrene: 3903.11 00 - - Expansible 3903.19 00 - -Other 39.04 Polymers of vinyl chloride or of other halogenated olefins, in primary forms. ex 3904.10 00 - Polyvinyl chloride, not mixed with any other substances, suspension type 39.18 Floor coverings of plastics, whether or not self-adhesive, in rolls or in the form of tiles; wall or ceiling coverings of plastics, as defined in Note 9 to this Chapter. 3918.10 00 - Of polymers of vinyl chloride






39.20
Other plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, of plastics, non-cellular and not reinforced, laminated, supported or similarly combined with other materials.



- Of polymers of vinyl chloride:


3820.41 00 - - Rigid
3920.41 00 - - Flexible 56.07
Twine, cordage, ropes and cables, whether or not plaited or braided and whether or not impregnated, coated, covered or sheathed with rubber or plastics.



- Of polyethylene or polypropylene:


5607.41 00 - - Binder or baler twine
5607.49 00 - - Other