Legal Basis and International Agreement
- The order is anchored on the April 12, 1975 agreement between the Philippines and Romania.
- Article VII of the April 12, 1975 agreement requires the establishment of a joint commission for scientific and technological cooperation within six months from the last notification of approval of the agreement.
- The joint commission must be composed of an equal number of representatives from both contracting parties and must meet alternately in the Philippines and Romania.
- The order creates the Philippine permanent committee to operationalize the Philippines’ participation in that joint commission.
Policy, Purpose, and Intended Cooperation
- The order is aimed at strengthening friendly relations between the Philippines and Romania.
- The order is intended to promote and develop mutual scientific and technological cooperation for the benefit of both peoples.
- The order supports the joint commission framework under the April 12, 1975 agreement by establishing a permanent Philippine counterpart.
Created Philippine Permanent Committee
- Executive Order No. 468 creates the PHILIPPINE PERMANENT COMMITTEE FOR THE JOINT PHILIPPINE-ROMANIAN SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL COMMISSION.
- The committee is composed of designated Philippine officials and representatives.
- The committee is empowered to ensure effective performance of the Philippines’ functions within the joint commission structure.
- The committee participates in the joint commission process where meetings are held alternately in the Philippines and Romania.
Committee Composition: Offices and Members
- The committee’s Chairman is Dr. Melecio S. Magno, Chairman, National Science Development Board.
- The committee’s Co-Chairman is Ambassador Leticia R. Shahani, Philippine Embassy, Romania.
- The committee’s Vice-Chairmen are Ambassador Pablo R. Suarez, Jr. (Assistant Secretary for Economic Affairs, Department of Foreign Affairs) and Mr. Gabriel Itchon (Undersecretary, Department of Industry).
- The committee’s Members include:
- Dr. Manuel Alba, Deputy Director-General, National Economic and Development Authority
- Mr. Jose P. Leviste, Executive Director, Energy Development Board
- Mr. Manuel Zosa, Assistant Secretary, Department of Agriculture
- Mr. Antonio Aguenza, Assistant Secretary, Department of Natural Resources
- Mr. Vedasto Suarez, Assistant Secretary, Department of Education and Culture
- Mr. Manuel Salientes, Jr., Director, Development Management Staff, Office of the President
- A representative of the President of the University of the Philippines System
Powers, Rules, and Participation Support
- The committee is empowered to promulgate its rules and regulations as required to facilitate the performance of its functions.
- The committee may call upon the assistance of any government agency, corporation, or instrumentality on an ad hoc basis.
- The committee may also call upon the assistance of any private entity on an ad hoc basis.
- Advisers required for meetings of the joint commission are appointed by the Chairman with the concurrence of the Philippine permanent committee.
Secretariat and Technical Assistance
- Technical assistance and secretariat services are extended by the National Science and Development Board.
- Secretariat services are provided subject prospectively to the creation of a Permanent Secretariat therein as the need arises.
Signature and Implementation
- The order is signed by FERDINAND E. MARCOS, President of the Philippines.
- The order is attested by CARLOS P. ROMULO (By the President).