Administrative Order creating an Inter-Agency Committee on Climate Change (No. 220 of 1992)

JULY 1, 1991 OFFICIAL GAZETTE MALACA~ANG MANILA ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER No. 220 3607 CREATING AN IriTER-AGENCY COM MITTEE ON CLIMATE CHANGE. WHEREAS, it is the policy of the State to protect and advance the .right of the Filipino people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature: WHEREAS, there is mounting scientific evidence of an impending global warming a phenomenon caused by the accumulation of heat-trapping gases in the atmosphere with consequences which are far-reaching in scope and irreversible in natures: WHEREAS, the World Meteorological Or ganization at its Tenth Congress in 1987 recommended that an inter-governmental mechanism be established, jointly with the United Nations Environmental Programme, to study a1l issues related to climate change: WHEREAS, the United Nations has re solved that identification and possible strengthening of existing conventions and protocols with a bearing on climate change should be instituted: 3608 OFFICIAL GAZETTE VOL. 87, No. 26 WHEREAS, the Philippines is located in an area where extreme climate changes likely to occur due to global warming will adversely affect its coastal areas and critical land ecosystems: WHEREAS, the Science and Technology Coordinating Council, the highest science and technology governing body of the coun try, identified the need for us to join hands with the international community to correct the growing trend towards global warming and to prepare our defenses against its adverse effects: Now, THEREFORE, I, CORAZON C. AQUINO, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby order: SECTION 1. There is hereby created an Inter-Agency Committee on Climate Change, hereinafter referred to as the Committee, to be chaired by the Secretary of the Depart ment of Environment and Natural Resources and co-chaired by the Secretary of the Department of' ScieI\fe and Technology with a senior representative each from the Department of Foreign Affairs, Environ mental Management Bureau. National Map ping Resource and Information Agency, and the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Admielstration as members. SEC. 2. The Departments of Agriculture, Trade and Industry, Education, Culture and Sports, Public Works and Highways, Trans portation and Communications, and Interior and Local Government, the National Economic and Development Authority and the concerned Non-government Organiza tions shall provide such technical assistance and support as may be needed .bY the Com mittee in the performance of its respona Ibilitles, SEC. 3 The Committee shall have the fol lowing functions: a. Formulate policies and response stra tegies to climate change: b. Determine the national information requirements relevant to negotiations for the adoption of a central instrument at the UN Conference for Environment and Development, Brazil (1992): c. Establish working groups to monitor and assess local climate change and its environmental .and socio-economic im pact in coordination with international agencies: and. d. Designated a focal point to serve as the link between the Philippines and the Secretariats of the United Nations Environmental Programs (UNEP) and the World Meteorological Organ ization (WMO) . SEC. 4 The Department of Environment and Natural Resources shall provide tech nical and secretariat support to the Com mittee. SEC. 5 This Administrative Order shall take effect immediately. DONE in the City of Manila, this 8th day of May, in .the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and ninety-one; (Sgd.) CORAZON C. AQUINO President of the Philippines By the President: (Sgd.) OSCAR M. ORBOS Executive Secretary