MALACAÑAN PALACE
MANILABY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES
EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 34
CREATING THE OVERSEAS PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE TEAM AND REPLACING THE PRESIDENTIAL MIDDLE EAST PREPAREDNESS COMMITTEE
WHEREAS, it is in the national interest that the safety and welfare of overseas Filipinos be accorded primordial importance;
WHEREAS, natural disasters, civil unrest, armed conflicts and similar crises in foreign countries expose overseas Filipinos to immediate hazards and risks;
WHEREAS, there is a necessity for various government agencies that take the lead in addressing the concerns of overseas Filipinos, to focus on their real and actual capabilities in the efficient and effective delivery of services and resources to the overseas Filipinos, thereby insuring their safety and security especially In times of crisis.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BENIGNO S. AQUINO III, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby order the following,
SECTION 1. Creation – There is hereby created an Overseas Preparedness and Response Team, hereinafter referred to as OPRT, under the Office of the President, The OPRT...
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Amended by
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Executive Orders
Creating The Overseas Preparedness And Response Team And Replacing The Presidential Middle East Preparedness Committee
Executive Order No. 34
Summary of Executive Order No. 34
Creation of Overseas Preparedness and Response Team (OPRT)
- Section 1: Creates the OPRT under the Office of the President, replacing the Presidential Middle East Preparedness Committee (PMEPC).
Functions of the OPRT
- Section 2(a): Anticipate strategies, programs, policies, and responses to crises affecting overseas Filipinos, subject to the President's approval.
- Section 2(b): Develop interactive arrangements, formulate strategies, and integrate agency plans for maximum coordination during crises.
- Section 2(c): Implement approved policies, plans, strategies, and coordination modes, and monitor their implementation.
- Section 2(d): Review and update contingency plans of Philippine Embassies and Consulates General, conduct threat assessments, and provide guidance for the safety and welfare of overseas Filipinos.
- Section 2(e): Formulate contingency plans for the following regions and review/update them every six (6) months:
i. Middle East and Africa
ii. Asia, Australia, and the Pacific
iii. Americas
iv. Europe
- Section 2(f): Establish a pool of crisis management experts, technical experts, and trained personnel from member-agencies to form rapid reaction teams.
- Section 2(g): Authorize the deployment of rapid reaction teams to crisis-hit areas with a significant concentration of Filipinos.
- Section 2(h): Authorize the dispatch of additional personnel to reinforce Philippine Embassies and Consulates General for up to three (3) months, subject to extension, to ensure systematic repatriation and relocation activities, among others.
- Section 2(i): Establish a monitoring mechanism to regularly gather and update information on the identities and locations of overseas Filipinos, particularly in crisis-prone regions.
- Section 2(j): Call upon any government department, bureau, office, or agency, or private sector partners, and coordinate with bilateral and multilateral partners to formulate and/or implement plans, programs, and policies.
- Section 2(k): Conduct regular workshops on risk reduction and crisis management among concerned government agencies.
- Section 2(l): Prepare a comprehensive communication plan to apprise the public on government actions to ensure the safety of Filipinos in crisis situations.
- Section 2(m): Direct and conduct other preparedness and contingency measures as required by the crisis situation.
- Section 2(n): Exercise other functions and powers as assigned by the President.
Composition of the OPRT
- Section 3: The OPRT is composed of the following officials:
a. Executive Secretary - Chairperson
b. Presidential Adviser on Overseas Filipino Workers' (OFW) Concerns - Member
c. Foreign Affairs Secretary - Member
d. Labor and Employment Secretary - Member
e. National Defense Secretary - Member
f. Justice Secretary - Member
g. Interior and Local Government Secretary - Member
h. Budget Secretary - Member
Secretariat
- Section 4: The OPRT Secretariat is composed of officials from the member-agencies and provides administrative and related support services. It is headed by a senior official designated by the Executive Secretary.
Funding
- Section 5: The initial funding requirement for the operation of the OPRT shall be sourced from the Contingent Fund of the Office of the President and other sources identified by the Department of Budget and Management. Annual funding requirements shall be included in the general appropriations. The remaining funds, properties, and other assets of the PMEPC are transferred to the OPRT.
Repealing Clause
- Section 6: Executive Order No. 159 (s. 2002), Executive Order No. 20 (s. 2011), and all other issuances, rules, and regulations inconsistent with this Executive Order are repealed or modified accordingly.
Separability Clause
- Section 7: If any provision of this Executive Order is declared invalid or unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected shall remain valid and subsisting.
Effectivity
- Section 8: This Executive Order shall take effect immediately upon publication in a newspaper of general circulation.
Creation of Overseas Preparedness and Response Team (OPRT)
- Section 1: Creates the OPRT under the Office of the President, replacing the Presidential Middle East Preparedness Committee (PMEPC).
Functions of the OPRT
- Section 2(a): Anticipate strategies, programs, policies, and responses to crises affecting overseas Filipinos, subject to the President's approval.
- Section 2(b): Develop interactive arrangements, formulate strategies, and integrate agency plans for maximum coordination during crises.
- Section 2(c): Implement approved policies, plans, strategies, and coordination modes, and monitor their implementation.
- Section 2(d): Review and update contingency plans of Philippine Embassies and Consulates General, conduct threat assessments, and provide guidance for the safety and welfare of overseas Filipinos.
- Section 2(e): Formulate contingency plans for the following regions and review/update them every six (6) months:
i. Middle East and Africa
ii. Asia, Australia, and the Pacific
iii. Americas
iv. Europe
- Section 2(f): Establish a pool of crisis management experts, technical experts, and trained personnel from member-agencies to form rapid reaction teams.
- Section 2(g): Authorize the deployment of rapid reaction teams to crisis-hit areas with a significant concentration of Filipinos.
- Section 2(h): Authorize the dispatch of additional personnel to reinforce Philippine Embassies and Consulates General for up to three (3) months, subject to extension, to ensure systematic repatriation and relocation activities, among others.
- Section 2(i): Establish a monitoring mechanism to regularly gather and update information on the identities and locations of overseas Filipinos, particularly in crisis-prone regions.
- Section 2(j): Call upon any government department, bureau, office, or agency, or private sector partners, and coordinate with bilateral and multilateral partners to formulate and/or implement plans, programs, and policies.
- Section 2(k): Conduct regular workshops on risk reduction and crisis management among concerned government agencies.
- Section 2(l): Prepare a comprehensive communication plan to apprise the public on government actions to ensure the safety of Filipinos in crisis situations.
- Section 2(m): Direct and conduct other preparedness and contingency measures as required by the crisis situation.
- Section 2(n): Exercise other functions and powers as assigned by the President.
Composition of the OPRT
- Section 3: The OPRT is composed of the following officials:
a. Executive Secretary - Chairperson
b. Presidential Adviser on Overseas Filipino Workers' (OFW) Concerns - Member
c. Foreign Affairs Secretary - Member
d. Labor and Employment Secretary - Member
e. National Defense Secretary - Member
f. Justice Secretary - Member
g. Interior and Local Government Secretary - Member
h. Budget Secretary - Member
Secretariat
- Section 4: The OPRT Secretariat is composed of officials from the member-agencies and provides administrative and related support services. It is headed by a senior official designated by the Executive Secretary.
Funding
- Section 5: The initial funding requirement for the operation of the OPRT shall be sourced from the Contingent Fund of the Office of the President and other sources identified by the Department of Budget and Management. Annual funding requirements shall be included in the general appropriations. The remaining funds, properties, and other assets of the PMEPC are transferred to the OPRT.
Repealing Clause
- Section 6: Executive Order No. 159 (s. 2002), Executive Order No. 20 (s. 2011), and all other issuances, rules, and regulations inconsistent with this Executive Order are repealed or modified accordingly.
Separability Clause
- Section 7: If any provision of this Executive Order is declared invalid or unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected shall remain valid and subsisting.
Effectivity
- Section 8: This Executive Order shall take effect immediately upon publication in a newspaper of general circulation.