MALACAÑANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 152

DESIGNATING THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS TO TAKE THE LEAD IN THE PLANNING, COORDINATION, IMPLEMENTATION AND CONDUCT OF PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES IN COMMEMORATION OF THE PHILIPPINE AMERICAN-FRIENDSHIP DAY

WHEREAS, July 4, 2006 marks the 60th Anniversary of the Philippine-American Friendship Day;

WHEREAS, one of the eight major elements of the foreign policy environment of the Arroyo administration is our strong and enduring historical, cultural, economic and security relationship with the United States;

WHEREAS, the milestone event of the 60th Anniversary of the Philippine-American Friendship Day must be appropriately observed to promote the spirit of our strong relationship with the United States in accordance with the foreign policy of the Arroyo administration;

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

Section 1. The Department of Foreign Affairs is hereby designated to take the lead in planning, coordinating, implementing and conducting the programs and activities commemorating the Philippine-American Friendship Day on July 4, 2006.

Section 2. As the leader of this event, the Secretary of Foreign Affairs shall immediately convene a Task Force to plan and implement effectively all programs, projects and activities relating to the said national event.

Section 3. The Task Force shall be composed of officials of the Department of Foreign Affairs and other departments and agencies designated by the Secretary of Foreign Affairs.

Section 4. All departments, bureaus, offices, national government agencies and local government units and government-owned and -controlled corporations are herby enjoined to give full support, assistance and cooperation to the Secretary of Foreign Affairs in the exercise of his responsibilities under this Order.

Section 5. All branches of government charged with promoting the historical, cultural, economic and security relationship between the Philippines and the United States are enjoined to participate in the 60th Anniversary celebration of the Philippine-American Friendship Day as well as to enlist the participation of private sector groups and non­government organizations to ensure the success of the celebration.

Section 6. In support of this event, all concerned agencies and local government units, subject to budgetary laws and issuances, are authorized to contribute such amounts as may be reasonable to help defray expenses for said event.

Section 7. The Secretary of Budget and Management shall release the amount of Five Million Pesos (P5,000,000.00) chargeable against the Department of Foreign Affairs for FY 2006 to fund the activities and operations of the 60th Anniversary Celebration of the Philippine-American Friendship Day.

Section 8. This Administrative Order shall take effect immediately.

DONE in the City of Manila this 26th Day of May in the Year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Six.

(Sgd.) GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO
President of the Philippines

By the President:

(Sgd.) EDUARDO R. ERMITA
Executive Secretary

Source: Malacañang Records Office

Office of the President of the Philippines. (2006). [Administrative Order Nos. : 111 Р288]. Manila : Malaca̱ang Records Office.