EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 186 - EXPANDING THE COVERAGE OF THE CABINET COMMITTEE ON THE LAW OF THE SEA AND RENAMING IT AS THE CABINET COMMITTEE ON MARITIME AND OCEAN AFFAIRS

WHEREAS, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea seeks to establish a legal order for the seas and oceans to promote their peaceful use, equitable and efficient utilization of resources and protect and preserve the marine environment;

WHEREAS, the Philippines signed the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on 10 December 1982 and ratified the same in November 1984;

WHEREAS, a Cabinet Committee on the Treaty on the Law of the Sea was established pursuant to Executive Order No. 738 dated 3 October 1981, and reconstituted with representation from government agencies, pursuant to Executive Order No. 328 dated 5 June 1988, to implement the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and harmonize domestic laws and regulations with the Convention prior to its entry into force on 16 November 1994; 

WHEREAS, there is an imperative need to further strengthen the Cabinet Committee on the Law of the Sea to ensure a more comprehensive and pragmatic approach in addressing marine and ocean-related concerns within the overall context of Philippine national interest.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, FIDEL V. RAMOS, President of the Republic of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law and the Constitution, do hereby order:

Section 1. The Cabinet Committee on the Law of the Sea is hereby renamed the Cabinet Committee on Maritime and Ocean Affairs, (hereinafter referred to as the Cabinet Committee) and its functions expanded to include the formulation of practical and viable policies and addressing the various concerns which affect the implementation of the United Nations Conventions on the Law of the Sea and other marine-related matters.

Sec. 2. The Secretary of Foreign Affairs shall continue to act as Chairman of the Cabinet Committee on Maritime and Ocean Affairs, with the members as enumerated in Executive Order No. 328 dated 5 June 1988.

The Cabinet Committee may create sub-committees and/or working groups as it deems necessary to ensure the efficient and effective discharge of its responsibilities.

Sec. 3. The Cabinet Committee shall encourage the participation of government and private academic and research institutions involved with marine and ocean-related concerns, through the development of a marine research community.

Sec. 4. The Department of Foreign Affairs shall continue to provide secretariat support to the Cabinet Committee. The Cabinet Committee may call on any department, bureau, office and instrumentality of the Government for appropriate assistance.  

Sec. 5. The Cabinet Committee shall continue to source its funding pursuant to Sec. 6 of Executive Order No. 738 dated 3 October 1981, which states that “the Ministry (now Department) of the Budget is directed to release such amount as may be necessary for the initial operation of the Cabinet Committee to the Secretariat, through the Chairman of the Cabinet Committee on the Treaty of the Law of the Sea which shall administer the same”.

Sec. 6. The Cabinet Committee shall formulate and present to the President and the Cabinet, on 8 November 1994, a comprehensive action plan to implement the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and submit to the President, a quarterly report of its activities thereafter.

Sec. 7. This Executive Order shall take effect immediately.

DONE, in the City of Manila, this 12th day of July in the year of our Lord, Nineteen Hundred and Ninety Four.
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