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August 08, 1963

Note: The Agreement entered into force, August 15, 1963.

Reference: This Agreement is also published in IV DFA TS No. 1, p. 146.

August 8, 1963

SIR:

Under existing laws in this country, the National Economic Council is charged with the coordination and integration of "Foreign aid, technical assistance, reparations programs, if any, and the programs of government and private entities." Accordingly, therefore, the Office of the President of the Philippines issued Memorandum Circular No. 9, dated June 25, 1962, the full text of which we are quoting as follows:

"Memorandum Circular No. 9

Coordination of Foreign Aid by the National Economic Council

Under Reorganization Plan No. 10 as implemented by Executive Order No. 119, series of 1965, the National Economic Council, through its Office of Foreign Aid Coordination, is charged with the coordination and integration of “foreign aid, technical assistance, reparations programs, if any, and the programs of government and private entities." The term "coordinate" means to bring into a common action, movement, or condition; to regulate and combine in harmonious action; to make entire; to complete; round out; to unite parts or elements.

All agencies of the Philippine government, therefore, are called upon to take up with the National Economic Council all matters concerning foreign aid from any source including the U.S. Agency for International Development (AID), United Nations Technical Assistance Board (UNTAB), Colombo Plan, Bilateral Agreements, Foundations, etc.

As a corollary to its coordinating function, the National Economic Council, through the Office of Foreign Aid Coordination, may call or invite the local representatives of the various foreign aid agencies and the Philippine government agencies concerned to conferences for the purpose of coming to mutual agreement for more effective planning and implementation of foreign assistance. The wholehearted cooperation of the parties concerned is requested.

By authority of the President:

(Sgd.) AMELITO R. MUTUC
Executive Secretary

Pursuant to the statutory functions of the National Economic Council and the terms of the aforequoted circular we are desirous of arriving at a common understanding with you for a more effective planning and implementation of the Peace Corps program in this country. In this connection I have the honor to propose the following points of agreement:

1. The Peace Corps representative and his staff shall not act upon requests of Philippine government agencies for services of Peace Corps Volunteers unless such request or requests are endorsed by the National Economic Council.

2. The National Economic Council and the Peace Corps representative shall jointly work out programs for the utilization of Peace Corps Volunteers with a view to realizing the objectives of the Peace Corps Program of the Government of the United States of America and at the same time deriving therefrom valuable contributions to the social, economic and cultural development of the Philippines.

3. The Peace Corps representative and the National Economic Council shall consult each other from time to time on matters that may affect the successful realization of their respective objectives.

I have the honor to propose that, if the foregoing points of agreement are acceptable to you, this note and your reply note concurring therein shall constitute an agreement between our two agencies and shall guide their future actions.

Very truly yours,

(Sgd.) SIXTO K. ROXAS
Chairman

PEACE CORPS

August 15, 1963

SIXTO K. ROXAS, Chairman
National Economic Republic of the Philippines
Manila

SIR:

Your note of August 8 which contains the quotation of Memorandum Circular No. 9 from the Offices of the President of the Philippines "Coordination of Foreign Aid by the National Economic Council and the proposed points of agreement between the National Economic Council and the Peace Corps as follows:

"1. The Peace Corps representative and his staff shall not act upon requests of Philippine government agencies for services of Peace Corps Volunteers unless such request or requests are endorsed by the National Economic Council;

"2. The National Economic Council and the Peace Corps representative shall jointly work out programs for the utilization of Peace Corps Volunteers with a view to realizing the objectives of the Peace Corps program of the Government of the United States of America and at the same time deriving therefrom valuable contributions to the social, economic, and cultural development of the Philippines; and

"3. The Peace Corps representative and the National Economic Council shall consult with each other from time to time on matters that may affect the successful realization of their respective objectives,"

is completely understood and acceptable to the Peace Corps. Our agency will act from this date forward within the terms of this agreement.

Sincerely yours,

(Sgd.) BASCOM H. STORY
Director, Peace Corps/Philippines