WHEREAS, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is the principal government agency that implements the State's commitment to the care, protection and rehabilitation of individuals, families, and communities by providing a balanced approach to welfare;

WHEREAS, the National Commission on the Role of Filipino Women (NCRFW), established by virtue of Presidential Decree No.633, dated January 7, 1975, under the Office of the President, is an advisory body to the President and the Cabinet on policies and programs for the advancement of women in their diversified roles as citizens, homemakers, workers, volunteers, participants in the development of friendly relations and cooperation among nations, and in the promotion of world peace;

WHEREAS, there is a need for the DSWD to exercise oversight function over the NCRFW to facilitate coordination of policies and programs; to advocate women issues and concerns at the Executive Level and other ministerial level fora; to sustain inter-agency and multi-sectoral concerns at all levels; and to ensure gender mainstreaming in policy making, planning and programming, all affecting the advancement of the Filipino women;

WHEREAS, Section 31, Chapter 10, Title III, Book III of Executive Order 292, otherwise known as the "Administrative Code of 1987", grants to the President 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. The DSWD shall exercise oversight function over the NCRFW without prejudice to the undertaking of their respective functions.

SECTION 2. All orders, issuances, rules and regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Executive Order are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 3. This Executive Order shall take effect immediately.

Adopted: 10 May 2005

(SGD.) GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO

By the President:

(SGD.) EDUARDO R. ERMITA
Executive Secretary