WHEREAS, there has been unequal payment of amelioration assistance to government employees in the past years, giving rise to complaints, dissatisfaction and discontent among government personnel who received less or were not able to enjoy said benefit;

WHEREAS, the granting of amelioration assistance does not form part of the agencies budget for the year;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH EJERCITO ESTRADA, President of the Republic of the Philippines, do hereby order and direct:

Section 1. That payment of amelioration assistance and similar or equivalent benefits, except those expressly provided for in the 1999 National Budget, shall not be allowed in FY 1999;

Section 2. That anyone found violating this directive shall be dealt with in accordance with the applicable provisions of existing administrative and penal laws;

Section 3. This Administrative Order shall take effect immediately.

DONE in the City of Manila, this 24^th day of September, 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