Philippine Laws Platform

[ EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 115, April 29, 2026 ]

STRENGTHENING THE TECHNICAL COOPERATION COUNCIL OF THE PHILIPPINES

WHEREAS, Executive Order No. 17 (s. 1992) established the Technical Cooperation Council of the Philippines (TCCP) to implement the Philippine Technical Cooperation Program for developing countries, particularly the least developed among them, and to coordinate related projects and activities undertaken by government agencies;

WHEREAS,evolving global developments present opportunities for the Philippines to expand participation in international development cooperation while advancing foreign policy priorities and national development objectives;

WHEREAS,strengthening the institutional capacity, effectiveness, and responsiveness of the TCCP is necessary to ensure the strategic and efficient implementation of technical cooperation programs aligned with national priorities and emerging global trends;

WHEREAS,Section 98, in relation to Section 99, of the General Provisions of Republic Act No. 12314 or theFiscal Year 2026 General Appropriations Act,authorizes the President to approve the organizational and staffing modifications needs in streamlining and improving the productivity in agency organization and operations, including the creation, modification, and abolition of bureaus, offices, and units under the Executive branch; and

WHEREAS,Section 17, Article VII of the 1987 Constitution vests in the President control over all Executive departments, bureaus, and offices, and mandates the faithful execution of laws;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND R. MARCOS, JR.,President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in by law and the Constitution, do hereby order:

Section 1. Development Philippines Program.The TCCP is hereby directed to implement a national strategic Philippine Technical Cooperation Program to be known as theDevelopment Philippines,which shall serve as the government's framework for providing technical assistance to developing countries while advancing the Philippines' development goals and strategic interests.

The TCCP shall coordinate all technical cooperation projects and activities of government agencies.

Section 2. Reorganization of the TCCP.The TCCP shall be reorganized to consist of the heads of the following agencies:

Chairperson	:	Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA)
Vice Chairperson	:	Department of Economy, Planning, and Development;
Members	:	Department of Agriculture;
		Department of Environment and Natural Resources;
		Department of Science and Technology;
		Department of Trade and Industry;
		Department of Health;
		Department of Migrant Workers; and
		Technical Education and Skills Development Authority

The TCCP may engage other government agencies, instrumentalities, and private sector entities, as may be necessary to carry out the mandate of the TCCP.

The Chairperson shall retain its authority to designate additional members as may be necessary.

The Members of the TCCP may designate their respective alternates, with ranks not lower than Assistant Secretary or its equivalent, who shall be fully authorized to act for or on their behalf.

Section 3. Powers and Functions of the TCCP.The TCCP shall perform the following powers and functions:

	a.	Provide overall policy direction for the Philippine Technical Cooperation Program;
	b.	Approve the Philippine Technical Cooperation Roadmap and Program;
	c.	Ensure alignment of technical cooperation initiatives with national development priorities and foreign policy objectives;
	d.	Facilitate inter-agency coordination and stakeholder engagement; and
	e.	Perform such other functions as may be necessary or incidental to the mandate of the TCCP.

Section 4. Technical Working Group.A Technical Working Group (TWG) is hereby constituted to provide technical and policy support to the TCCP.

The TWG shall be composed of representatives from member agencies, with the rank of Director or equivalent, who shall serve as focal persons for technical cooperation initiatives within respective agencies.

The DFA shall serve as Chairperson of the TWG, which shall act as the implementing arm of the TCCP.

The TWG shall perform the following functions:

	a.	Formulate the Philippine Technical Cooperation Roadmap and Program for endorsement to the TCCP;
	b.	Conduct regular meeting to monitor the implementation of the Philippine Technical Cooperation Roadmap and Program;
	c.	Initiate periodic review ad updating of the Philippine Technical Cooperation Roadmap and Program; and
	d.	Perform such other functions as may be necessary to support the mandate of the TCCP.

Section 5. TCCP Secretariat.The TCCP Secretariat shall be fully integrated to the DFA, and shall provide technical, administrative, and coordination support to the TCCP.

The TCCP Secretariat shall perform the following functions:

	a.	Prepare technical reports, policy briefs, and recommendations for consideration by the TCCP;
	b.	Coordinate with implementing agencies and development partners in the preparation of project documents and agreements;
	c.	Monitor and evaluate the implementation of technical cooperation programs and projects;
	d.	Maintain a database of ongoing and completed technical cooperation initiatives;
	e.	Provide secretariat services, including preparation of meeting agendas, minutes, and related documentation;
	f.	Coordinate inter-agency inputs to ensure coherent representation of Philippine technical cooperation interests at the bilateral, regional, and multilateral levels; and
	g.	Submit regular reports to the TCCP.

The TCCP Secretariat shall be under control and supervision of the Office of the Secretary of Foreign Affairs, and supervision may be assigned to a senior official who may serve as Chair-Alternate.

Section 6. Transfer of Assets, Liabilities, and Personnel.All assets, liabilities, and personnel of the TCCP Secretariat are hereby transferred to the DFA. Personnel of the TCCP Secretariat shall retain existing benefits and entitlements subject to applicable laws, rules, and regulations.

Section 7. Organizational Structure and Staffing Pattern. The DFA shall determine the appropriate organizational structure, staffing pattern, and corresponding qualification standards for the creation of additional positions necessary for the administration and operation of the TCCP Secretariat, and submit the same to the President and/or Department of Budget and Management (DBM), for review and approval, subject to compliance with relevant laws, rules and regulations, including the Revised Standards on Organizational Structure and Staffing Patterns of the DBM.

Section 8. Funding.The funding requirements for the initial implementation of this Order shall be charged against the current and available appropriations of DFA and other concerned agencies and such other sources as may be identified by the DBM. Thereafter, the funding requirements necessary for the continued implementation of this Order shall be included in the budget proposals of DFA and other concerned agencies, subject to the usual budget preparation process.

Section 9. Separability.If any section or part of this Order is declared unconstitutional or invalid, the other sections or provisions not otherwise affected shall remain in full force and effect.

Section 10. Repeal.EO No. 17 is hereby amended accordingly. All orders, rules and regulations, and other issuances or parts thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Order, are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

Section 11.Effectivity.This Order shall take effect immediately upon its publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation.

DONE,in the City of Manila, this 29^thday of April, in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Twenty-Six.

(SGD.)FERDINAND R. MARCOS, JR.

By the President:

(SGD.)RALPH G. RECTO
Acting Executive Secretary