WHEREAS, the Government is committed to bring down the budget deficit to manageable levels and ensure a prudent expenditure program in order to hasten our recovery from the Asian currency crisis;

WHEREAS, the Government is further committed to consult and work closely with members of Congress, business sector, and other representatives of civil society to attain these objectives;

WHEREAS, the Ten-Point Agenda of the Estrada Administration provided for the establishment of a Budget Dialogue Group that will recommend comprehensive budget reforms and other measures to attain fiscal discipline and efficient resource allocation.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH EJERCITO ESTRADA, President of the Republic of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby order the following:

SECTION 1. Establishment of a Budget Dialogue Group. A Budget Dialogue Group is hereby constituted to formulate and recommend to the President the necessary budget reforms and measures to ensure fiscal integrity and efficiency.

SECTION 2. Composition. The Group shall be chaired by the Secretary of the Department of Budget and Management with the following as members:

Secretary, Department of Agriculture as Chairman of Cabinet Cluster A (Agri-Industrial Development Cluster)

2. Secretary, Department of Finance as Chairman of Cabinet Cluster B (Macroeconomy and Finance)

3. Director-General, National Economic and Development Authority as Chairman of Cabinet Cluster C (Human Resource Development Cluster)

4. Secretary, Department of Public Works and Highways as representative of Cabinet Cluster D (Physical Infrastructure Cluster)

5. Secretary, Department of Foreign Affairs as Chairman of Cabinet Cluster E (National Security and Political Development)

6. President, League of Provinces

7. President, League of Cities

8. President, League of Municipalities

9. Private sector representatives consisting of the following:

a. One representative each from the following business chambers: Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Makati Business Club, Management Association of the Philippines, and Bankers Association of the Philippines

b. One representative from organized labor groups

c. Two representatives from the other basic sectors

It is understood that the members of the Group shall represent the perspectives of their respective constituencies.

Upon concurrence of the Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance and the Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations shall also be members of the Group. The President shall appoint the representatives from the private sector.

SECTION 4. Functions. The Group shall have the following functions:

1 Formulate and recommend to the President the necessary budget-related measures to ensure fiscal integrity and efficiency;

2 Serve as mechanism for discussion of issues on budget matters and other fiscal concerns;

3. Submit quarterly reports to the President; and

4. Perform such other functions and duties as the President may assign from time to time.

SECTION 5. Technical Working Group. The Group may establish inter-agency technical working groups to assist in the formulation of the necessary budget reforms and other measures, and to support other activities of the Group.

SECTION 6. Assistance From Other Agencies. The Chairman may call on any government agency to provide assistance and support to the activities of the Group.

SECTION 7. Secretariat Support. The Department of Budget and Management shall provide overall administrative and technical support to the Group.

SECTION 8. Frequency of Meetings. The Group shall hold quarterly meetings or as often as may be necessary.

SECTION 9. Repealing Clause. All issuances, order, rules, regulations or parts thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Order is hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 10. Effectivity. This Order shall take effect immediately.

DONE, in the city of Manila, on this 15th  day of January in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and ninety-nine.

(SGD.) JOSEPH EJERCITO ESTRADA
President of the Philippines

By the President:

(SGD.) ROLANDO B. ZAMORA
Executive Secretary