WHEREAS, electronic commerce, which shall revolutionalize trade in both goods and services, shall be a universal phenomenon due to the emerging Global Information Infrastructure;

WHEREAS, the State recognizes that there is a need to be abreast with international developments on electronic commerce to further enhance the competitiveness of local industries;

WHEREAS, there is a great potential for the country to participate in the worldwide electronic commerce, through the Internet and collaboration between the private and government sectors;

WHEREAS, there is a need for a coordinating body to enhance government and private sector partnership in the promotion and development of electronic commerce in the country;

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

Section 1. Electronic Commerce Promotion Council. There is hereby created a National Council to serve as the a coordinating body for the promotion of the development of electronic commerce in the country, herein referred to as the Council.

Section 2. Composition. The Council shall be composed of the following:

The Council Chairman shall designate the Private Sector Representatives, including the Co-Chairman, for a term of not more than two (2) years.

Section 3. Functions. The Council shall have the following duties and functions:

a. Formulate, in coordination with the concerned agencies and private sector, a National Program and Strategy (NPS) for the Promotion of Electronic Commerce in the Country. The NPS for Electronic Commerce shall be made consistent with the National Information Technology Plan for the 21^st Century;

b. Coordinate and monitor the implementation of the above NPS;

c. Recommend policies and programs which may further enhance the development of electronic commerce in the country;

d. Provide fora and mechanisms in addressing issues and concerns affecting the electronic commerce industry;

e. Perform such other functions as may be assigned by the President.

Section 4. Secretariat. The Chairman shall establish a Secretariat to provide technical and administrative support to the Council. It shall be composed of representatives from the private and government sectors and shall be based at the DTI. Whenever necessary, the Council may also create appropriate Committees to assist in the discharge of the Council ™s functions.

Section 5. Meetings. The Council shall meet at least once a month to discuss matters pertinent to the development of electronic commerce in the country.

Section 6. Funding. DTI shall provide from its 1998 budget a total amount of P5 million for the operational budget of the Council during its initial year. Budgetary requirements for the succeeding years shall be sourced from the contributions of the private sector and concerned agencies as may be agreed upon by the Council.

Section 7. Repeal Clause. All other executive issuances, rules and regulations or parts thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Executive Order are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

This Executive Order shall take effect immediately.

DONE in the City of Manila, this 23rd day of February in the year of Our Lord, Nineteen Hundred and Ninety-Eight.

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

By the President:

(Sgd.) ALEXANDER P. AGUIRRE
Executive Secretary