May 30, 2013

DFA DEPARTMENT ORDER NO. 12-13

REORGANIZING THE COMMISSION ON MARITIME AND OCEAN AFFAIRS SECRETARIAT (CMOAS) INTO THE WEST PHILIPPINE SEA CENTER (WPSC) UNDER THE OFFICE OF THE UNDERSECRETARY FOR POLICY (OUP), AMENDING SECTIONS 11-16 OF DEPARTMENT ORDER NO. 26-07, S2007 AND SECTION 4 OF DEPARTMENT ORDER NO. 19-11

SECTION 1. Legal Basis. Pursuant to Department Order No. 26-07, s2007, which established CMOAS as an integral part of the Department of Foreign Affairs; Department Order No. 19-11 which established the West Philippine Sea Task Force (WPS-TF) of the Department of Foreign Affairs; and Section 7, Chapter 2, Book IV of the

SECTION 2. Objective. This Department Order is promulgated to establish an office in the Department of Foreign Affairs that is dedicated to the WPS issue in order to have an integrated, cohesive, purposive and coordinated policy on the WPS.

SECTION 3. The West Philippine Sea Center. The Commission on Maritime and Ocean Affairs Secretariat (CMOAS) is hereby reorganized and immediately set up as the West Philippine Sea Center (WPSC) under the Office of the Undersecretary for Policy (OUP) to assist the Department of Foreign Affairs on all matters relating to the West Philippine Sea issue.

SECTION 4. Functions. The West Philippine Sea Center (WPSC) shall:

a. Provide secretariat support to the West Philippine Sea Task Force (WPS-TF); HEDaTA

b. Provide secretariat, research and technical support to any working group or member-office (e.g., ASEAN, ASPAC, etc.) on the West Philippine Sea issue;

c. Consult, as may be necessary, with concerned stakeholders including but not limited to any government agencies, non-government organizations, academe and/or the general public in the discharge of its functions;

d. Identify, network with and tap national and/or international expertise and institutions as may be necessary;

e. Coordinate, promote, monitor and report on the implementation of policies, plans, programs and projects under the WPS-TF's auspices or any policies, plans, programs and projects of the Department relating to the West Philippine Sea;

f. Source out and avail of grants, endowments or donations from foreign or local entities, in accordance with existing laws, to be applied to programs, projects and studies to implement the policies or directives of the Department in regard to the West Philippine Sea issue;

g. Create and maintain a central records on the West Philippine Sea issue;

h. Render regular report to the WPS-TF, in particular the Undersecretary for Policy as the Chairperson of the WPS-TF, as well as the Secretary of Foreign Affairs on all activities that it has undertaken; and

i. Perform such other functions as may be directed by the WPS-TF, the Undersecretary for Policy and the Secretary of Foreign Affairs.

SECTION 5. Head of Office. The WPSC shall be headed by an Assistant Secretary who shall be a Chief of Mission designated by the Secretary of Foreign Affairs, upon recommendation of the Undersecretary for Policy. The Assistant Secretary, as chief executive officer of the Center, shall exercise general supervision and control over its personnel. ACTIcS

SECTION 6. Hiring and Remuneration of Personnel and Consultant. The Secretary of Foreign Affairs shall hire and determine the remuneration of personnel, consultants and other experts in the WPSC. He shall request, if necessary, the detail and secondment to the WPSC of personnel from other government agencies and institutions, in accordance with the Civil Service law, rules and regulations.

The Department shall request appropriate plantilla positions from the Department of Budget and Management for the WPSC. The personnel who were transferred to OUP by virtue of Office Order No. 427-12 shall constitute the core group of the WPSC.

SECTION 7. Entitlements. In addition to the salaries and benefits to which they are legally entitled, the Assistant Secretary shall be entitled to representation and travelling allowances in accordance with the rates prescribed by the Department of Budget and Management, subject to accounting, auditing and budgeting rules and regulations.

SECTION 8. Funding. For 2013, the funding requirements for the activities of the WPSC shall be sourced from the existing funds of the Department. Appropriations for the succeeding fiscal years shall be incorporated in the General Appropriations Act.

SECTION 9. Other Administrative Matters. Other organizational and administrative matters relating to the operations of the WPSC shall be addressed in an Operations Manual which shall be approved by the Secretary of Foreign Affairs.

SECTION 10. Repealing Clause. Department Order No. 26-07, s2007, Department Order No. 19-11 and all other Department issuances or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Order are hereby repealed or amended accordingly.

SECTION 11. Effectivity. This Department Order shall take effect immediately. aDSHCc

(SGD.) ALBERT F. DEL ROSARIO
Secretary of Foreign Affairs