Question & AnswerQ&A (EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 152)
The Central East Asia Growth Circle Program (CEA-GC) is a program created under the Office of the President aimed at promoting and encouraging active and extensive economic cooperation among the economies around the South China Sea, specifically including the Philippines (North Luzon), China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan.
The President of the Philippines has the authority to appoint the Presidential Action Officer for the Central East Asia Growth Circle Program (PAO-CEAGC) with the rank of undersecretary.
The PAO-CEAGC is tasked to promote foreign investments, trade, and tourism; coordinate activities among government departments and agencies; mobilize private sector participation; prepare economic and feasibility studies; advocate national policies beneficial to North Luzon; negotiate funding sources; provide technical assistance to investors; administer donations and grants; exercise administrative and technical supervision over the program; appoint officers and staff; and submit quarterly reports to the President.
The focus is on the four administrative regions North of the National Capital Region, collectively referred to as North Luzon: Regions 1, 2, 3, and the Cordillera Administrative Region.
The Advisory Council is composed of high-level officials including the Executive Secretary (Chairman), Secretaries of various departments, the Presidential Assistant for North Luzon, regional development council chairpersons, two private sector representatives from each North Luzon region, congressional representatives, governors, city mayors, and heads of government corporations and development authorities based in the four regions.
The Technical Support Staff assists the PAO-CEAGC in implementing the program and includes a Program Director appointed by the President and additional technical and administrative personnel from various government agencies.
Concerned national line agencies, local government units, development authorities, special project offices, government-owned and controlled corporations, non-government organizations (NGOs), and the private sector may all serve as implementing entities for program activities.
An initial lump sum of P18,166,833.05 is released from the Presidential Contingent Fund for the program's organization and operations from September to December 1999. Additional funding for 2000 and beyond comes from the Presidential Contingent Fund or other funds within the Office of the President, and future appropriations will be included in the annual general appropriations bill submitted to Congress.
The PAO-CEAGC is authorized to promulgate the necessary rules and regulations to implement the Executive Order establishing the CEA-GC program.
The Executive Order took effect immediately upon signing on September 28, 1999, and it supersedes any provisions of existing executive orders, rules, and regulations that are inconsistent with this Executive Order.