WHEREAS, the Chairman for the 12th Association of the Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Economic Ministers (AEM) Retreat, to be held in May 2006, is the Philippines, pursuant to the directive of realizing the ASEAN vision of a single ASEAN community by 2020;

WHEREAS, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) identified Boracay Island, Aklan as venue for the said Meeting, aiming to promote the island as a major tourist destination;

WHEREAS, to effectivity carry out and implement obligations in hosting the 12th AEM Retreat this April, there is a need to designate DTI as lead agency to coordinate with other line agencies of the national and local government units.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GLORIA M. ARROYO, President of the Republic Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby order:

SECTION 1. Lead Agency - The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) shall be the lead agency to organize the hosting of the 12th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Economic Ministers ™ Retreat and other related meetings.

SECTION 2. Agency Support - The DTI coordinate with various agencies to obtain technical, financial and administrative support from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Department of Tourism (DOT), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Philippine National Police (PNP), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Bureau of Customs, Bureau of Customs, Bureau of Immigration (BI), Heads of the Regional and Provincial Local Government Units (LGUs), and from the private sector where ASEAN Meetings will be held.

SECTION 3. Tasks and Functions - The DTI shall perform the following tasks and functions:

1. Formulate and recommend a work program and budget plan for the hosting of the 12th ASEAN Economic Ministers Retreat and its related meetings;
   
   
2. Coordinate the logistics and substantive arrangements for the AEM Retreat and related meetings;
   
   
3. Organize regular meetings of created task Forces/committees to provide updates on activities undertaken;
   
   
4. Call upon any official, agent, employee, agency or instrumentality of the national or local government for any assistance that may be necessary to ensure the success of the Philippine hosting; and,
   
   
5. Subject to existing laws, rules and regulation, enter into agreements and contracts necessary for the attainment of the objectives of this administrative Order, including contracts for services.
   

SECTION 4. - All departments, bureaus, offices and local government units are hereby enjoined to give full support, assistance and cooperation to the DTI Secretary in the exercise of his responsibilities enumerated in this Administrative Order.

SECTION 5. Funding. - The initial funding requirement for the preparation and hosting of the 12th ASEAN Economic Ministers ™ Retreat shall be charged against the regular budget of the DTI and the other economic departments.

SECTION 6. Effectivity. - This Administrative Order shall take effect immediately.

DONE in the City of Manila, Philippines this 04th May day of in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Six.


By the President:

(Sgd.) EDUARDO R. ERMITA
Executive Secretary