WHEREAS, Science and Technology Parks facilitate the commercialization of technology and provide a nurturing ground for new enterprises and projects;

WHEREAS, the convening of meetings is a continuing initiative on the part of APEC to accelerate the promotion of all small and medium enterprises and the transfer of technologies among its member economies;

WHEREAS, the Philippines has agreed to host the 3^rd Meeting of APEC Science and Technology Industrial Parks, herein referred to as the STIPs, scheduled on 25-27 October 1999.

WHEREAS, the Meeting will be participated in by experts in the fields of science and technology in consonance with the Trade and Investment Liberalization and Facilitation (TILF) agenda of APEC, particularly in the growth of small and medium enterprises, developing human capital, harnessing technology of the future and promoting sustainable growth and development;

WHEREAS, it is imperative that a body be created to coordinate, prepare for and manage the holding of the said meeting.

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

SECTION 1. CREATION - There is hereby created a Task Force, herein referred to as the TF, to be composed of the following:

Department of Science and Technology (DOST)	- Chairman
Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA)	- Member
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)	- Member
Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG)	- Member
Department of Tourism (DOT)	- Member
Philippine Information Agency (PIA)	- Member
Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA)	- Member
Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA)	- Member
One (1) Representative from the Academe Prof. Fortunato T. De La Pe a	- Member
One (1) Representative from NGO Dr. Ceferino L. Follosco	- Member

The member agencies of the TF shall designate their permanent representatives to the TF. The permanent representative shall hold the rank of a Director or an Assistant Director.

In pursuit of its objective and subject to existing laws, the TF shall have the following authority and functions:

1.1	Formulate the design of the meeting and coordinate all the substantive preparations needed;
1.2	Negotiate and conclude agreements and contracts necessary for attainment of the objectives of this Administrative Order, including contracts for services, taking into consideration what is most advantageous to the government.

SEC. 2. STEERING COMMITTEE - A Steering Committee is hereby created to assist the TF in the pursuit of its objectives. The Steering Committee shall be headed by the Focal Point for the Philippines for the APEC Industrial Science and Technology Working Group (ISTWG) with following Sub-Committees memberships:

Finance Committee	- DOST-CO
Substantive Committee	- DOST-CO
Program/Invitation	- TAPI/DOST
Food/Accommodation	- TAPI/DOST
Media/Publication	- STII/DOST

SEC. 3. SECRETARIAT - A Secretariat shall be formed to assist the TF and the Steering Committee in carrying out their functions prior to and during the conduct of the meeting. The secretariat shall be based at the Technology Application and Promotion Institute (TAPI), DOST. The Secretariat may call on other member agencies of the TF for assistance.

SEC. 4. FUNDING - The amount necessary for the operational requirements of the TF, Steering Committee, Secretariat and Sub-Committees and the meeting itself shall be charged against the CY 1999 International Commitments Fund for Hosting of International Conferences/Meetings amounting to THREE MILLION TWO HUNDRED THOUSAND PESOS (P3,200,000.00). The DBM shall release such funds to DOST upon endorsement of the DFA.

SEC. 5. EFFECTIVITY - This Administrative Order shall take effect immediately.

Done in the City of Manila, this 10^th day of August, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and ninety nine.

(Sgd.) JOSEPH EJERCITO ESTRADA
President of the Philippines

By the President:
(Sgd.) RONALDO B. ZAMORA
Executive Secretary