Streamlining The Process Of Authenticating Documents Intended For Use Abroad And Transferring The Authentication Office From The Office Of The President To The Department Of Foreign Affairs

MALACAÑAN PALACE
MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

EXECUTIVE ORDER No. 582

STREAMLINING THE PROCESS OF AUTHENTICATING DOCUMENTS INTENDED FOR USE ABROAD AND TRANSFERRING THE AUTHENTICATION OFFICE FROM THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT TO THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the government to reduce red tape by streamlining processes and eliminating duplicative cross-agency activities:

WHEREAS, both the Office of Consular Affairs (OCA) of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Authentication Office of the Office of the President (AO-OP) perform similar authentication functions;

WHEREAS, Chapter 1, Article 5, sub-article (F) of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations and Optional Protocols of which the Philippines is a signatory of this Convention provides that a given state’s consular office shall act “as notary and civil registrar and in capacities of a similar kind, and performing certain functions of an administrative nature”;

WHEREAS, Executive Order (EO No. 292 s. 1987) mandates the Department of Foreign Affairs to serve as the official channel for foreign relations, including official communications to and...

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Summary of Executive Order No. 582

Transfer of Authentication Function from Office of the President to Department of Foreign Affairs
- Section 1: The Department of Foreign Affairs - Office of Consular Affairs (DFA-OCA) is mandated to be the sole agency responsible for authenticating documents certified as authentic by the issuing agency/office.
-- The Authentication Office of the Office of the President (AO-OP) is directed to transfer all equipment, furniture, materials, documents, and facilities necessary for authentication operations to the DFA-OCA.

Transition Period and Personnel
- Section 2: AO-OP personnel shall be detailed to the DFA-OCA for a maximum of 6 months to allow the DFA-OCA to acquire the necessary competence in the authentication process according to the one-day authentication service standards set by the AO-OP.
-- After the 6-month transition period, the detailed personnel from the AO-OP to the DFA-OCA shall have the option to stay in the DFA-OCA or avail of early retirement privileges.

Revenue Collection and Allocation
- Section 3: Revenues collected or receipts from the streamlined authentication process shall be remitted or deposited intact with the National Treasury.
-- The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) shall allocate an appropriate amount, proposed by the DFA-OCA, for the operations of the office.

Continuing Research and Improvement
- Section 4: The DFA, in coordination with concerned government agencies, shall conduct continuing research for further improvements of the authentication process.

Implementation Rules and Regulations
- Section 5: The DFA Secretary shall issue rules and regulations to implement this Executive Order.

Repealing Clause
- Section 6: Letter of Instruction (LOI) 1446 s. 1985 and other issuances inconsistent with this order are hereby repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.

Effectivity
- Section 7: This Executive Order shall take effect immediately.