Palace issues EO strengthening CITEM

MALACAÑANG has issued an executive order (EO) strengthening the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), a government-owned and controlled corporation (GOCC) attached to the Department of Trade (DTI).

Executive Order No. 75 reorganized the CITEM Board, which is chaired by the Trade Secretary, including the secretaries of Agriculture, Foreign Affairs, Interior and Local Government, Science and Technology, and Tourism as members.

The order also includes the President and General Manager of Government Service Insurance System and a private sector representative to be appointed by the President as members.

The Trade Secretary will remain as the Board’s chairperson, the order said, adding that the election of the Vice-Chairperson and the Executive Director by the CITEM Board from among its ranks shall be in accordance with the relevant provisions of Republic Act No. 10149, the GOCC Governance Act of 2011.

The ex-officio members of CITEM Board may designate their respective alternates who shall be the officials next-in-rank to them, and whose acts shall be considered the acts of their principals, according to the order.

It tasked the CITEM Board to have regular meetings once every quarter.

“The CITEM shall continue to conduct domestic and international trade fairs, selling missions, in-store promotions, and similar projects, activities, and programs, which are aimed at promoting Philippine products and services to the global market,” the order read.

It tasked the CITEM to work with agencies and offices with mandates and functions related to export marketing and promotions and implement trade fairs, missions, and other export promotional activities to showcase Philippine products and services and promote the country’s participation in overseas trade fairs.

The GOCC agency should also implement industry development programs for export products and services, including merchandise and technical assistance programs, according to the order.

It also tasked the agency to generate consumer-level awareness and demand for Philippine products globally through in-store promotion and participation in overseas trade fairs, expositions, and missions.

The order mandated the CITEM to work with the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) in coming up with a roadmap that will detail the strategic plans and programs to further strengthen the mandates of CITEM, including the establishment of an exhibition facility and permanent showrooms and outlets “designed to host trade shows, exhibitions, conferences, and other similar events.”

Meanwhile, Malacañang also issued an EO creating an Inter-agency Committee on International Humanitarian Law, which will be co-chaired by the Defense and Foreign Affairs departments.

Its members include departments of Interior and Local Government, Justice, Social Welfare and Development, Trade and Industry, and Health.

The committee’s members also include the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police, Philippine Coast Guard, National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, Commission on Higher Education, Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity, and the Presidential Human Rights Committee Secretariat. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza