WHEREAS , the term of the Presidential Middle East Preparedness Committee (PMEPC) expires on December 31, 2005 pursuant to Executive Order (EO) No. 451 dated July 28, 2005;

WHEREAS , tensions in the Middle East continue to exist particularly in Iraq, which pose a serious threat to the security of Filipino overseas workers in that area;

WHEREAS , there is still a need for the PMEPC to continue monitoring developments and update contingency measures to ensure the safety of Filipinos in Iraq and in the Middle East as well as uphold the current travel ban on OFWs to Iraq;

WHEREAS , under Section 31, Chapter 10, Title III, Book III of the Administrative Code of 1987, the President has the continuing authority to reorganize the functions of the Office of the President.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO , President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby order the extension of operation of the PMEPC to June 30, 2006 or unless otherwise directed by the President.

SECTION 1. Functions - The PMEPC shall continue to exercise its functions and responsibilities as provided under EO 159 dated December 23, 2003, in relation to EO 194 and EO 195, both dated April 14, 2003, until June 30, 2006.

SEC. 2. Composition - The membership of the Committee, as enumerated under Section 3 of EO 159, as amended by EO 451, is further expanded to include one representative from the Bureau of Immigration.

SEC. 3. Funding - The Committee shall be provided an additional funding allocation of THREE MILLION PESOS (P3,000,000.00) for its administrative and operational expenses to be provided by the Office of the President. Additional financial requirements that may be needed by the Committee shall be sourced out by the Department of Budget and Management from available funds of the concerned agencies forming part of the PMEPC, subject to the usual government accounting and auditing rules and regulations.

SEC. 4. Repeal - All other rules, regulations and issuances or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this Executive Order are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 5. Effectivity . - This Order shall take effect immediately.

DONE in the City of Manila, this 15th day of February, in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Six.

(SGD.) GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO

By the President:

(SGD.) EDUARDO R. ERMITA
Executive Secretary