WHEREAS, the State recognizes the vital role of information and communication in nation-building, and, in its commitment to regulate the transfer and promotion of the adaptation of technology from all sources for the national benefit, encourages the widest participation of both the public and private sectors in the utilization of technology;

WHEREAS, the Philippines is steadfast in its vision of becoming a Newly Industrializing Country by the year 2000, and thus, resolves to enhance its global competitiveness;

Information Technology
achievement of our

WHEREAS, when properly harnessed, IT is a tool that empowers people, increases productivity, creates business opportunities and, essentially, enables us to do more with less; and

WHEREAS, there is a need to draw up a comprehensive and integrated IT national policy framework within the context of the Medium-Term Philippines Development Plan.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, FIDEL V. RAMOS, President of the Republic of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby order:

SECTION 1. Approval of the NITP. - The National Information Technology Plan 2000 (NITP2000), hereto attached, is hereby approved.

a. recommend to the President policies relative to the implementation of the NITP2000 in consultation with all agencies concerned;

b. monitor and ensure the implementation, and undertake review and periodic upgrading, of the NITP2000;

c. recommend to the President a legislative agenda that will promote the accelerated development and application of IT in the country;

d. monitor the major IT projects, significant developments and activities that affect NITP2000, especially in the government, through an institutionalized system of networking;

e. assess, review and provide direction for continuing research on various relevant aspects of IT, including the assessment of the IT industry ™s progress and problems;

f. advocate strategic alliances between government, business, academe and non-government organizations in order to promote the team approach in IT efforts, especially in the area of technology transfer;

g. catalyze industry growth by syndicating alliances with the international community for large national projects with massive private sector participation; and

h. facilitate the sourcing of funds to support implementation of programs and projects.

SECTION 3. Composition. - The NITC shall be composed of the following:

SECTION 4. Committees/Working Groups. - The NITC, in keeping with the government-industry partnership in development policy, shall sixty (60) days from issuance hereof, form at least one (1) committee or working group for each of the five (5) identified major components of the NITP2000 to focus on the operationalization of the NITP2000 for that particular major component, and for this purpose, shall closely monitor, oversee and ensure implementation of the same.

The NITC may organize additional committees or working groups as it may deem necessary.

SECTION 5. Information System Planner. - All departments, major agencies and government-owned or -controlled corporation (GOCCs) shall each designate an Information Systems Planner, who is at least a Director or of equivalent rank, who shall serve as the Agency ™s action officer for the NITP2000 and IT-related matters, particularly for the preparation, development, and implementation of the Information Systems Plans of the department and its attached agencies, other major agencies of the government and the GOCCs.

SECTION 6. Funding. - Operational expenses of the NITC including secretariat support services therefor shall be incorporated in the budget of the NCC.

SECTION 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The NITC shall issue such rules, regulations and other issuances as may be necessary to ensure the effective implementation of the provisions of this Executive Order.

SECTION 8. Repealing Clause. - This Executive Order repeals Executive Order No. 356 dated 23 May 1989. All executive issuances, orders, rules and regulations or parts thereof which are inconsistent with any of the provision of this Executive Order are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 9. Effectivity. This Executive Order takes effect immediately.

DONE in the City of Manila this 19th day of July, in the year of Our Lord Nineteen Hundred and Ninety-Four.

(Sgd.) FIDEL V. RAMOS
President of the Philippines

By the President:

(Sgd.) TEOFISTO T. GUINGONA, JR.
Executive Secretary