WHEREAS , the œAgreement Between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Government of the United States of America Regarding the Treatment of United States Armed Forces Visiting the Philippines,  hereinafter referred to as the VFA, was signed by Foreign Affairs Secretary Domingo L. Siazon, Jr. and United States Ambassador Thomas C. Hubbard on February 10, 1998;

WHEREAS , the VFA officially entered into force on June 1, 1999 after an Exchange of Notes between Secretary Siazon, Jr. and United States Ambassador Hubbard;

WHEREAS , Executive Order No. 199 dated January 17, 2000 (Executive Order No. 199) created the Presidential Commission on the Visiting Forces Agreement under the Office of the President to monitor compliance with the provisions of the VFA;

WHEREAS , the Administrative Code of 1987 empowers the President with the continuing authority to reorganize 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. Section 2 of Executive Order No. 199 is hereby amended to read as follows:

œSEC. 2. COMPOSITION. The Commission shall be composed of the following:

The Secretary of Foreign Affairs	-	Chairman
The Secretary of National Defense	-	Co-Chairman
The Secretary of Social Welfare and Development	-	Member
One (1) Representative from the Private Sector to be appointed by the President	-	Member
The Executive Director	-	Member 

SECTION 2. Section 5 of Executive Order No. 199 is hereby amended to read as follows:

œSEC. 5. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR. The President shall designate a senior official of the Office of the President as Executive Director of the Commission. The Executive Director shall report directly to the President. The Executive Director shall have direct operational and supervisory authority over personnel from the concerned government agencies who may from time to time be detailed to the Commission to provide technical and administrative support. 

SECTION 3. All orders, rules, regulations and issuances, or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with this Executive Order are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 4. This Executive Order shall take effect immediately upon approval.

City of Manila, January 22, 2002.

(SGD.) GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO

By the President:


(SGD.) ALBERTO G. ROMULO
Executive Secretary