WHEREAS, administration of the Economic Support Fund (ESF), one of the financial resources of the national government used to finance priority development projects and programs, was transferred to the Department of Finance (DOF) from the Office of the Presidential Adviser for Regional Development (OPARD) by virtue of Executive Order 250 s. 2003.

WHEREAS, the OPARD was abolished by virtue of EO 354, its functions, budget, assets and personnel was transferred to the Office of Constituency Affairs renamed Office of External Affairs (OEA) under EO 367.

WHEREAS, one of the functions inherited by the OEA from the OPARD was to advise the President on matters concerning the socio-economic development of the various regions and provide timely analyses and recommendations on critical and strategic policy and operational issues and concerns relative to regional development;

WHEREAS, the ESF funds may be tapped as source for implementation of regional development projects;

WHEREAS, the OEA is in a better position to identify projects and programs needed by each region for economic development;

WHEREAS, the ESF have been efficiently and effectively administered by the OPARD Secretariat, now with the OEA, due to the familiarity of the staff handling the ESF having managed the same since its inception;

WHEREAS, until now, the OEA have been administering the ESF, handling the collection activities and reconciling the ESF Books of Account and clearing accounts of the LGU's which availed the ESF;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby order:

SECTION 1. Administration of the ESF as well as its appropriations, funds, records, equipment, facilities, other properties, and assets and liabilities derived from the defunct ESF Secretariat are hereby transferred to the Office of External Affairs (OEA).

SECTION 2. For the efficient administration, the OEA shall issue guidelines for the availment and utilization of the ESF collections.

SECTION 3. All Executive Orders, rules and regulations and other issuances or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Executive Order are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

SECTION 4. This Executive Order shall take effect immediately.

Adopted: 05 Oct. 2005

(SGD.) GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO

By the President:

(SGD.) EDUARDO R. ERMITA
Executive Secretary