Amending executive orders no. 728 and 938, redefining the organizational structure, functional thrusts and providing for the operational guidelines of the commission on filipinos overseas

Case Overview and Summary

Summary of Executive Order No. 346

Composition of the Commission
- The Commission is composed of the Secretary of Foreign Affairs as Chairman, Secretary of Trade and Industry as Vice Chairman, and other Secretaries as ex-officio members. (Section 1)
- The Commission formulates policies on matters affecting overseas Filipinos and provides functional direction.

Offices of the Secretariat
- Executive responsibility is vested in the Secretariat, headed by an Executive Director (rank of Undersecretary) and a Deputy Executive Director (rank of Assistant Secretary). (Section 2)
- The offices of the Secretariat are reorganized as follows:
• Projects Management Office - Responsible for promotion and implementation of programs and projects for Filipinos overseas, and supporting economic diplomacy efforts. (Section 2a)
• Migrant Integration and Education Office - Responsible for registration, pre-departure programs, public assistance, information program, and welfare support services for Filipino emigrants. It coordinates the Assistance to Nationals Program. (Section 2b)
• Administrative and Finance Office - Responsible for efficient management of human and financial resources, administrative, personnel, budgetary, financial, logistical, and accounting services. (Section 2c)
• Management Information System Office - Develops, establishes, and maintains a computerized data banking and information system on Filipinos overseas, and supports the implementation of a Shared Government Information System for Migration. (Section 2d)
• Planning, Research and Policy Office - Responsible for planning, programming, project development, policy research, and development work. (Section 2e)

CFO Overseas and Extension Offices
- The Commission shall establish representative offices in countries/areas deemed necessary to promote the interests and well-being of Filipino migrants. (Section 3)
- CFO overseas offices shall be housed at the Philippine Embassy or Consulate, and the CFO representatives shall work under the supervision of the relevant Ambassador or Chief of Mission.
- The Commission shall also establish extension offices in the Philippines in major exit points of departing Filipino emigrants, housed at the extension offices of the Department of Foreign Affairs.

Filipino Education and Heritage
- The Commission shall develop and implement policies and programs to preserve and enhance ties with younger generations of overseas Filipinos, and provide them with knowledge and values that would contribute to shaping their Filipino identity. (Section 4)

Assistance to Nationals
- The Commission shall review, formulate, and recommend policies and programs to address the needs of overseas Filipinos, in support of the Assistance-to-Nationals Program. (Section 5)

Manpower Complement and Funding
- The manpower complement of the Secretariat shall be reviewed and adjusted, with the reclassification of positions resulting from the reorganization. (Section 6)
- Funds necessary to carry out the provisions shall be sourced from available sources, and funding requirements in succeeding fiscal years shall be provided for in the regular budgetary appropriations of the Commission. (Section 7)