Office of the President

of the Philippines

Malacañang

MEMORANDUM ORDER NO. 189

DIRECTING THE SECRETARY OF TOURISM TO ORGANIZE AND CREATE A PHILIPPINE HOST COMMITTEE AND/OR AN INTER-AGENCY TASK FORCE TO PREPARE AND IMPLEMENT THE ACTIVITIES AND PROGRAMS FOR THE ASEAN TOURISM FORUM TO BE HELD IN JANUARY 2006

WHEREAS, the ASEAN TOURISM FORUM (ATF) is the biggest and most important travel event in the ASEAN region held annually on rotation basis among the member countries and is the venue for national tourism organizations to introduce their plans, campaigns and programs for the upcoming year;

WHEREAS, the ATF consists of high level meetings attended by top industry policy-makers, practitioners, media, suppliers and buyers of ASEAN-based travel products;

WHEREAS, Myanmar, the host country for 2006, has relinquished the ASEAN Tourism Ministers (ATM) and the National Tourism Organizations (NTOs) chairmanship; and the Philippines, being the next country in line, has accepted the chairmanship and the hosting of the ATF in 2006;

WHEREAS, the Department of Tourism has identified Davao City as a capable and willing host for the ASEAN TOURISM FORUM from January 13-21, 2006, which will give the city in particular, and Mindanao, in general, an excellent opportunity to showcase their fascinating destinations and distinct culture and project the image of Davao as a peaceful, progressive and hospitable tourism destination;

WHEREAS, in order to enable for the Department of Tourism to effectively carry out and implement its obligations in hosting the ATF 2006, there is a need to constitute, organize and create a Philippine Host Committee and/or an Inter-Agency Task Force, to include other line agencies of the government and local government units concerned;

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 order:

SECTION 1. The Secretary of Tourism is hereby directed to undertake all the necessary preparations for the holding of the ATF 2006, and implement the conduct of all programs and activities in relation thereto.

SECTION 2. The Secretary of Tourism shall be the over-all chairman of the Philippine Host Committee and shall immediately convene the inter-agency task force to assist the DOT in the planning and implementation of all programs, projects and activities related to this event. The Secretary of Tourism shall designate the members of the Philippine Host Committee and/or the Task Force.

SECTION 3. All departments, bureaus, offices, national government agencies and local government units and government-owned and/or controlled corporations are hereby enjoined to give full support, assistance and cooperation to the Tourism Secretary in the exercise of his responsibilities enumerated in this Memorandum Order.

SECTION 4. Funding of the event shall be sourced mainly from the budget of the Department of Tourism. All other agencies and local government units subject to budgetary laws and issuances are authorized to allocate such amounts as may be necessary to defray the expenses of this event.

DONE in the City of Manila, this 12th day of September, in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Five.

By authority of the President:

(Sgd.) EDUARDO R. ERMITA
Executive Secretary