MALACAÑAN PALACE
MANILA
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES
EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 731
ACTIVATING AND REORGANIZING THE ENERGY OPERATIONS BOARD INTO THE ENERGY CONTINGENCY TASK FORCE UNDER THE NATIONAL FOOD AND ENERGY COUNCIL
WHEREAS, the Energy Operations Board was created under Executive Order (EO) No. 442 dated September 11, 1990;
WHEREAS, there are global clouds on the horizon that are driving up the cost of oil and food;
WHEREAS, the National Food and Energy Council was created under EO No. 728 (NFEC or Council) date June 2, 2008;
WHEREAS, EO No. 728 mandated the absorption of the Council of Climate Change by the NFEC;
NOW, THEREFORE I, GLORIA M. ARROYO, President of the Republic of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby order:
SECTION 1. The Energy Operations Board is hereby activated and reorganized as the Energy Contingency Task Force (ECTF), hereinafter referred to as the Task Force, under the National Food and Energy Council.
SECTION 2. The Task Force shall be composed of the following:
a. Executive Secretary as head;
b. Secretary of Energy as operations officer;
c. Secretary of Trade and Industry as member;
d. Secretary of Budget and Management as member;
e. Secretary of Science and Technology as member;
f. Secretary of Social Welfare and Development as member;
g. Director General of the National Economic and Development Authority as member;
h. Chairman of the Commission on Higher Education as member;
i. Director General of the Philippine Information Agency as member;
j. Commander of the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines as member.
SECTION 3. The Task Force shall be responsible for formulating plans and policies and ensuring their implementation to address the impact of the rising cost of oil on the majority of the people.
SECTION 4. The primary responsibilities of the members of the Task Force shall be as follows:
a. The Executive Secretary shall provide overall leadership and oversight in the formulation and implementation of the plans and policies of the Task Force.
b. The Secretary of Energy shall be the chief operating officer of the Task Force and provide it with the Secretariat and administrative support. He shall monitor oil prices and ensure the implementation of energy efficiency, conservation and other mitigating measures.
c. The Secretary of Trade and Industry shall monitor the impact of oil prices on the commodities purchased by the majority of the people and ensure the implementation of mitigation measures.
d. The Secretary of Social Welfare and Development shall identify the beneficiaries of targeted subsidies for the poor and facilitate the timely distribution of the subsidies such as the KATAS ng VAT – Pantawid Koryente Program.
e. The Secretary of Budget and Management shall ensure that the proper budgetary allocation for the projects of the Task Force are provided, especially the additional VAT and additional Malampaya royalties from higher energy prices.
f. The Philippine Information Agency shall be responsible for information, education, communication and advocacy campaigns of the Task Force.
g. The Secretary of Science and Technology, in coordination with the Department of Energy, shall assist agencies, establishments and households install and/or adopt other energy saving technology.
h. The National Economic and Development Authority shall assist the Secretary of Energy in projecting oil price levels and shall formulate mitigation plans and policies for adoption and implementation by the Task Force, including various Katas ng VAT and KATAS ng Malampaya programs.
i. The Commission on Higher Education shall provide students loans and scholarships under the KATAS ng VAT – Pantawid Pag-Aral Program.
j. The Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces shall issue timely intelligence assessment of political and security developments related to the oil price issue and alert government offices on the same. It shall provide advice on matters affecting national security.
SECTION 5. The respective primary responsibilities of the departments mentioned in Section 4 shall extend, as applicable, down to the regional, subregional levels, including the provincial and city levels. The Task Force may organize Task Groups at various levels.
Local government officials may be invited to join the Task Groups is they so desire.
SECTION 6. Task Force may call upon other government departments and agencies for assistance and support for the implementation of the objectives of this EO.
SECTION 7. All issuances, orders, rules and regulations which are inconsistent with, or contrary to, the provisions of this EO are herby repealed or modified accordingly.
SECTION 8. This EO shall take effect immediately.
DONE in the City of Manila, this 7th day of June, in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Eight.
(Sgd.) GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO
By the President:
(SGD.) EDUARDO R. ERMITA
Executive Secretary