Letter of Instruction No. 1183

Section 1.  Objectives - It shall be the responsibility of the Corps to pursue the following objectives: (a) To develop and promote the growth of Philippine exports in the world market;   (b) To encourage the inflow of foreign investments into the country; and   (c) To develop and implement innovative approaches to increase the country's export trade. RULE III: COMPOSITION OF THE CORPS; DUTIES AND FUNCTIONS OF MEMBERS THEREOF

Section 2.  Duties and Functions of Special Trade Representative (a) Supervise the commercial offices under his jurisdiction and coordinate their program and activities;     (b) Recommend to the Minister such policies that will enhance the performance of Philippine exports in his regional market area;     (c) Assist in negotiations for better terms of trade for Philippine product;     (d) Negotiate, upon prior authority, the procurement of necessary imports at the most advantageous terms and conditions;     (e) Recommend innovative approaches deisgned to increase the country's exports to his market area;     (f) Continually explore and develop the potentials of Philippine products in his market area;     (g) Participate in international conferences relating to policies, issues and problems on international trade and investments;     (h) Perform such other functions as may be assigned to him by the Minister.

Section 3. Duties and Functions of Trade Service Officer - (a) Explore and develop the potentials of Philippine products in his area of assignment;   (b) Assist Philippine producers and traders in establishing business connections with individual businessmen and companies in his area of assignment;   (c) Promote awareness of Philippine products in his area of assignment, including assistance in promotional activities like international trade fairs, national solo exhibitions, in-store promotions and trade mission.   (d) Conduct market surveys for Philippine exportable products and identify trade opportunities therefore;   (e) Study and analyze economic and other conditions that may significantly affect Philippine exports in his area of assignment and report the same to the Ministry;   (f) Identify and investigate tariff and non-tariff barriers seriously impeding the entry of Philippine products into his area of assignment and recommend appropriate remedial measures for their elimination or liberalization;   (g) Develop areas of cooperation on an institutional basis like the formation of chambers and associations between businessmen in his area of assignment and their Philippine counterparts;   (h) Encourage companies and businessmen in his area of assignment to invest in the Philippines; and   (i) Perform such other functions as may be assigned to him by the Minister or his immediate supervisor. Sections 4. Duties and Functions of Trade Service Staff Officer (a) Provide general assistance to the head of the commercial office;   (b) Under the supervision of the head of the commercial office, perform the following:     1) Monitor and analyze trends of trade between the Philippines and his area of assignment;     2) Evaluate the market performance of Philippine products in his area of assignment, including information on government policy, competition, prices and other factors that may affect their performance;     3) Compile and analyze data and statistics needed for the formulation on government policy, competition, prices and other factors that may affect their performance;     4) Collate trade opportunities for dissemination to manufactures, producers and exporters in the Philippines.   (c) Perform such other functions as may be assigned to him by the head of the commercial office. RULE IV: CONSTITUTION OF A FOREIGN TRADE SERVICE COMMITTEE -

Section 4. Foreign Trade Service Examination - The Ministry, in coordination with the Civil Service Commission, shall conduct separate examinations for Trade Service Officers and Trade Service Staff Officers in accordance with the following guidelines: (a) The holding of written examinations shall be announced four (4) months before the examinations are given;   (b) The announcement shall state the date, place, scope of the examinations and published in at least three (3) newspapers of general circulation;   (c) Applications for examination shall be submitted to the Ministry of Trade and Industry;   (d) Applications who comply satisfactorily with the requirements will have to undergo a personal interview for preliminary assessment. Only those who pass the preliminary assessment will be admitted to the written examination;   (e) Only those who obtain an average rating of at least 80 per cent in the written examination shall be qualified to take the oral examination. An average rating of 80 per cent is also required for the oral examination;   (f) Final results shall be released not later than three (3) months from the date of the oral examinations; and     (g) The names of successful examinees shall be entered in the Register of Eligibles for the positions of Trade Service Officer and Trade Service Staff Officer, as the case may be. RULE VII: ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMERCIAL POSTS -

Section 5. Turnover of Commercial Office - Any member of the Corps assigned to a new post must arrive thereat at least thirty (30) days prior to the departure of his predecessor for purposes of briefing and smooth turnover of the commercial officer.

Section 6. Home Consultation or Detail - The minister may call any member of the Corps for home consultation or detail in the Ministry as the exigencies of the service may require.  The member concerned, while on home consultation or detail, shall be entitled to reimbursement of actual and necessary expenses for the duration of his stay in the country, subject to the usual accounting and auditing rules and regulations.

Section 7. Home Assignment - Members of the Corps may also be assigned by the Minister, between foreign posting, to any bureau or office within the Ministry and agencies attached to it, while on home assignment. During periods of home assignment, Special Trade Representatives, Trade Service Officers and Trade Service Staff Officers shall be entitled to transportation and representation allowances similar to those enjoyed under existing laws by Career Executive Service Officers Rank IV, Career Executive Service Officers Rank V and Chiefs of Division, respectively, and such other allowances as may be authorized by the Minister including reimbursement of actual and necessary expenses incurred during official travels within the country, subject to the usual accounting and auditing rules and regulations.

Section 8. Administrative and Financial Arrangements Relative to Personnel Movements - All administrative and financial arrangements needed to effect the movements of members of the Corps including their legal dependents shall be completed at least sixty (60) days before their scheduled departure by the responsible unit or units of the Ministry. However, immediate arrangements shall be made in cases of extraordinary circumstances such as, but not limited to: (a) Immediate recall or transfer of a member of the Corps arising out of an administrative or criminal complaint;   (b) Closure of post;   (c) Immenent danger of war, revolution, rebellion, outbreak of epidemic, etc.; and   (d) Declaration of a member of the Corps as "persona non grata" by host government. Section 9 Tour of Duty - In general, the tour of duty of members of the Corps shall be for a period of not less than two (2) years in any commercial post, provided that any member may be recalled for home assignment after having served continuously abroad for not less than eight (8) years. The Minister, however, has discretion to make exceptions to the above general rule depending on the exigencies of the service. RULE XI: SUPERVISION AND CONTROL -