WHEREAS, on December 20,1906, a group Filipino plantation workers arrived in Hawaii aboard the Doric, leading the first wave of Filipinos to migrate to Hawaii;

WHEREAS, the first group of Filipinos was followed by subsequent waves of Filipinos immigrants who came to settle in Hawaii and also in other parts of the United States, contributing to a migration pattern that continues up to this day;

WHEREAS, today Filipinos with their rich culture and heritage have become a positive influence on mainstream life in Hawaii, with many of them succeeding prominently in their respective professions, in business, politics, government, the academe and the arts;

WHEREAS, while Filipinos in Hawaii have firmly established themselves in their adoptive country, they continue to maintain their strong ties with the Philippines, keep an active interest in its progress, and contribute to the development of their homeland;

WHEREAS, conscious of the historical circumstances and the contribution of Filipinos to Hawaii’s multicultural society, the State of Hawaii has initiated preparations to commemorate the centennial of Filipino migration to Hawaii in 2006, and created through Act 159 the Filipino Centennial Celebration Commission to organize the commemorative activities.

WHEREAS, the commemoration of the centennial of Filipino migration to Hawaii will contribute to strengthening ties among Filipinos in Hawaii and the entire United States, open new opportunities for tourism, trade and organizations and highlight their contribution to both the United States of America and the Philippines, and reinforce their important role in bridging the two countries;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, President of the Republic of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby order:

SECTION 1. Lead Agency – The Commission of Filipino Overseas (CFO) shall be the lead agency for the commemoration of the Centennial of Filipino Migration to Hawaii.

SEC. 2. Agency Support – The CFO shall coordinate the integrated assistance by seeking technical, financial and administrative support from the following agencies: Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Department of Tourism (DOT), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Education (DepEd), Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) – Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), National Historical Institute (NHI), and Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA).

The above-mentioned agencies shall be represented by an official with rank no below that of an Assistant Secretary.

The CFO may also seek assistance from the private sector.

SEC. 3. Integrated Assistance – The CFO, by itself or through the agencies mentioned in Section 2 hereof, shall:

1. Prepare an over-all program to commemorate Filipino migration to Hawaii in 1906 onwards, in order to highlight their significant contributions to Hawaii, the United States and the Philippines.
2. Oversee the implementation of the various programs and activities for the commemoration, and encourage the widest participation of Filipinos in the country, in Hawaii and the rest of the United States.
3. Coordinate with the Filipino Centennial Celebration Commission in Hawaii, as well as Filipino associations and organizations in the United States for the conduct of joint commemorative activities.
4. Organize working groups to coordinate and supervise matters related to the commemorative activities.
5. Mobilize private sector participation in all aspects of the commemoratives activities.
6. Perform other functions that will ensure the smooth and successful conduct of activities for the celebration.

SEC. 4. Assistance – The CFO is hereby authorized to call upon all other departments, agencies, and instrumentalities of the government whose assistance and support may be deemed necessary to the effective performance of all these functions, and said departments, agencies, and instrumentalities are hereby directed to extend full cooperation thereto.

SEC. 5 Funding – The CFO may seek grants, and may accept donations, to finance or support its projects, programs and activities in connection with the commemorative activities.

SEC. 6. Period of Existence – The Commission shall cease to exist after March 31, 2007, after submitting a final report to the Office of the President of all its activities, including an accounting of all moneys received and disbursed.

SEC. 7. Separability Clause – Should any part or provision of this Executive Order be held unconstitutional or invalid, other parts or provisions hereof which are not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.

SEC. 8. Effectivity – This Executive Order shall take effect immediately.

Done in the City of Manila, this 23^rd day of August, in the year of Our Lord Two Thousand and Five.

(Sgd.) GLORIA MACAPAGAL - ARROYO

By the President:

(Sgd.) EDUARDO R. ERMITA
Executive Secretary

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