WHEREAS, Presidential Decree (PD) No. 1866 dated June 29, 1983, as amended, codified the laws on illegal/unlawful possession, manufacture, dealing in, acquisition or disposition, of firearms, ammunition or explosives or instruments used in the manufacture of firearms, ammunition or explosives and imposing stiffer penalties for certain violations thereof and for relevant purposes;

WHEREAS, Section 2 of the implementing rules and regulations of PD 1866 provides that the corresponding permit/license for any person or entity desiring to manufacture firearms, ammunition or explosives, shall be issued only with the prior approval of the President;

WHEREAS, Section 883 of the Administrative Code of 1917 states that any application to manufacture or deal in firearms, parts of firearms of ammunition thereof requires the approval of the President;

WHEREAS, the delegation of the authority of the President to approve applications for licenses to manufacture or deal in firearms, parts of firearms, ammunition thereof requires the approval of the President;

WHEREAS, the delegation of the authority of the President to approve applications for licenses to manufacture or deal in firearms, parts of firearms, ammunition or explosives to the Secretary of Interior and Local Government will streamline the process of securing such licenses, thereby improving the rendition of services;

WHEREAS, sound principles of organization and governance demand that the President be able to concentrate on more urgent and vital functions;

WHEREAS, the various executive and administrative functions of the President may be performed by and through the Executive Departments which are under the control of the President;

WHEREAS, under the Revised Administrate Code of 1987 and other related laws and issuances, the President has the continuing authority to reorganize the Executive Department;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, President of the Republic of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby delegate the authority to approve applications for licenses to manufacture or deal in firearms, parts of firearms, ammunition or explosives, incumbent upon the President, to the Secretary of Interior and Local Government. Approved applications, including all supporting documents, shall be submitted to the Office of the Executive Secretary within thirty (30) days from such approval.

All issuances, orders, rules and regulations, or parts thereof, inconsistent with this Order are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

This Order shall take effect immediately.

DONE in the City of Manila, this 24th day of May, in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Five.


By the President:

(Sgd.) EDUARDO R. ERMITA
Executive Secretary