WHEREAS, pursuant to Executive Order No. 636 (s. 2007), the Philippine Mining Development Corporation (PMDC) was transferred from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to the Office of the President in order to closely monitor and oversee the efficient and effective implementation of the country's utilization and development of its mineral resources;

WHEREAS, in order to ensure that the objectives of said transfer will be attained, there is a need to reclassify the Office of the PMDC Chairman as among those positions with a cabinet rank; and

WHEREAS, under Presidential Decree Nos. 1416 and 1772, the President has the continuing power to reorganize the administrative structure of the National Government, including the authority to classify positions therein.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, President of the Republic of the Philippines, by the powers vested in me by the Constitution and by law, do hereby order:

SECTION 1. Ranking. - The Office of the PMDC Chairman is hereby reclassified as among those positions with a cabinet rank, unless otherwise directed by the President.

SECTION 2. Repealing Clause. - All executive issuances, rules and regulations or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this Executive Order are hereby revoked, amended, or modified accordingly.

SECTION 3. Effectivity. - This Executive Order shall take effect immediately.

City of Manila, 25 September 2007


By the President:

(Sgd.) SEC. EDUARDO R. ERMITA
Executive Secretary