DEPARTMENT ORDER No. 20-12

SUBJECT: IMPLEMENTATION OF THE DFA STRATEGIC PLAN 2012-2016

SECTION 1. Legal Basis and Justification

1. Section 6, Rule III of Republic Act 6713 or "Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees" encourages every department office and agency to adopt innovative programs which will provide motivation to officials and employees in raising the level of observance of public service ethical standards;

2. Section 87 of the Foreign Service Act empowers the Secretary to issue such rules and regulations as may be necessary to implement the provisions of the Act as well as the provisions of acts, decrees, and orders which are not inconsistent with it;

3. Executive Order (EO) No. 605, (Institutionalizing the Structure, Mechanisms and Standard to Implement the Government Quality Management Program Amending for the Purpose Administration Order No. 161, S. 2006 ) calls for adoption of measures that would promote stronger accountability; ethical, economical, efficient and effective operations; improved ability to address risk to achieve general control objectives; better systems of responding to the needs of citizens; and quality outputs and outcomes and effective governance;

4. Section 3 of Executive Order No. 366 enacted on 04 October 2004, (Directing a Strategic Review of the Operations and Organizations of the Executive Branch and Providing Options and Incentives for

Government Employees who may be affected by the rationalization of the functions and agencies of the Executive Branch) has provided the following framework;

1. Focus government efforts on the exercise of its fundamental functions of establishing and providing appropriate social, political and economic environment within which development can prosper;

2. Transform the bureaucracy into an effective and efficient institution for the delivery of core public services; and

3. Ensure the long term sustainability of core government services through resources; mobilization and cost-effective public expenditure management.

5. Section 4 of Executive Order No. 366 also provides for the following:

e. The resulting structural and organizational shift, stating the specific changes in the units/ agencies of the Department;

f. The staffing unit, highlighting the changes to be made in the staffing pattern and personnel of the Department and its agencies, as well as the organizational strengthening strategies that needs to be implemented.

g. The resource allocation shift, specifying the effect of the streamlined set up on the budgetary allocations of the Department and its agencies; and

h. The internal and external communication plan, indicating the specific methods and strategies employed/being undertaken in conveying the rationalization process to the person.

6. Section 2, Article 1 of R.A. 9184, "An Act providing for the Modernization, Standardization and Regulation of the Procurement Activities of the Government and for other Purposes" states that,

"It is the declared policy of the State to promote the ideals of good governance in all its branches, departments, agencies, subdivisions, and instrumentalities..."

7. Section 7, Article II of R.A. 9184, "An Act providing for the Modernization, Standardization and Regulation of the Procurement Activities of the Government and for other Purposes" further states that

"All procurement should be within the approved budget of the Procuring Entity and should be meticulously and judiciously planned by the Procuring Entity concerned. Consistent with government fiscal discipline measures, only those considered crucial to the efficient discharge of government functions shall be included in the Annual Procurement Plan..."

8. Section 3, Chapter 2, Book VI, Executive Order 292 or the 1987 Administrative Code, provides for the formulation and implementation

"...of a National Budget that is an instrument of national development, reflective of national objectives, strategies and plan. The budget shall be supportive of and consistent with the socio-economic development plan and shall be oriented towards the achievement of explicit objectives and expected results, to ensure that funds are utilized and operations are conducted effectively, economically and efficiently. The national budget shall be formulated within the context of a regionalized government structure and borrowings of all levels of government and of governmentowned or controlled corporations. The

budget shall likewise be prepared within the context of the national longterm the plan and of a long-term budget program."

SEC. 2. The DFA Strategic Plan 20122016

The DFA Strategic Plan 2012-2016 refers to the Strategic Plan approved by the Secretary on 14-15 April 2012 at Strategic Planning Workshop in Tagaytay City.

SEC. 3. Implementation of the Strategic Plan 2012-2016

3.1. All Offices of the Department and all Foreign Service Posts shall immediately implement the DFA Strategic Plan for 2012-2016 though a work plan. All work plans shall be in alignment with the goals, strategies and activities of the Strategic Plan.

3.2. The following guidelines should be used as reference:

3.2.1 Prioritize activities. Identify critical and urgent activities within the five Key Result Areas (KRAs).

3.2.2 Projects, programs and activities that are included in the Strategic Plan should:

3.2.2.1 Obtain approval of the Supervising Authority

3.2.2.2 Be consistent with the spirit of the Strategic Plan.

4.1.4. The Assistant Secretary, IASMember

SEC. 5. Consolidation and Presentation of Reports

5.1.1 All Offices and FSPs shall make a quarterly report of the progress and developments in the implementation of their respective work plan. Said quarterly report must be submitted to OSPPC at the end of each quarter for consolidation.

5.1.2 The Office of Strategic Planning and Policy Coordination (OSPPC) shall consolidate the reports from the different offices and FSPs and install a tracking mechanism (integrity chart). OSPPC shall prepare the committee's quarterly reports on the progress of the approved projects and activities in the strategic plan and work programs.

5.1.3 The Internal Audit Service shall conduct regular and periodic reviews of the progress in implementation and accomplishment of the work plan according to the Strategic Plan of the concerned unit.

IAS shall also analyze, evaluate and recommend courses of action that will assist in the implementation of the strategic

plan.

5.1.4 The Compliance Committee shall submit the quarterly reports to the Secretary which shall be included in the agenda of the USec/Sec's meetings for discussion.

5.1.5. OSPPC shall prepare the DFA annual accomplishment report.

SEC. 6. Rewards and Administrative Liability

6.1.1. OSPPC shall recommend notable accomplishments to the DFA

Administration;

(2) Vice
Chairperson -Assistant
Secretary for Personnel and
Administrative Services;

(3) Members -Chief Coordinator,
Assistant Secretary for Fiscal
Management, Assistant Secretary for
Legal Affairs and Assistant Secretary
for Protocol.;

The Committee shall be responsible for the selection and evaluation of all the Chiefs of Mission nominated for the Award. The Committee shall recommend to the Secretary the nominees for the Award for approval.

SEC. 5. Special Committee on Distinguished Service Awards Secretariat (PRAISE Secretariat)

Office of Personnel and Administrative Services (OPAS) shall serve as Secretariat for the Distinguished Service Awards Committee.

SEC. 6. Selection Procedure The Committee shall adopt the following procedure in the selection of awardees:

6.1 Establish criteria / qualifications / disqualifications of nominees; and

6.2 Require and review documents in support of the award such as, but not limited to:

The wreath above the star consists of dark green leaves and white Sampaguita buds - the Philippines' national flower. The tie at the base serves as a divider of the tendril and a link to the star through a metal ring.

The ring around the seal signifies meritorious, loyal and valuable service to the Republic; the star represents the outstanding achievements; and the wreath signifies the honor for having been appointed as Chief of Mission and for services rendered abroad as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Consul General or Chargé d' affaires, a.i. At the opposite side of the medal are the words "For Distinguished Service."

The ribbon has a purple background with a silver stripe at the center.

The pin shall be a miniature version of the medal suspended from a small piece of ribbon with a clasp for attachment at the breast. The ribbon for the pin shall have a similar purple background with a silver strip at the center.