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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

EIGHTEENTH (18) CONGRESS
1* Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. i505 1

Introduced by Hon. WILTER “SHARKY” WEE PALMA II

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to designate the Municipality of Ipil within the Province of
Zamboanga Sibugay as the regional center of Region IX which is composed of the
Provinces of Zamboanga Del Norte, Zamboanga Sibugay, Zamboanga Del Sur and
Zamboanga City.

The Regional Center for Region IX was only created by virtue of Executive
Order No. 429 issued by then President Corazon C. Aquino on October 12, 1990. In
fact, Section 1 of EO No. 429 states that “The City of Pagadian shall serve as the
regional center, while the City of Zamboanga shall remain the commercial and
industrial center.” As a result, various Government Regional Offices are scattered
within the peninsula. This then results to imposing additional burden to our citizens
by compelling them to withstand strenuous travel conditions as well as endure
lengthy travel time just to conduct their own personal businesses within said
offices.


Regional Offices (IX) and their Location

Department of Agrarian Reform Zamboanga City

Department of Agriculture Zamboanga City

National Irrigation Administration Pagadian City, Zamboanga Del Sur
Department of Budget and Management | Zamboanga City

Department of Education Pagadian City, Zamboanga Del Sur
Department of Environment and Natural | Pagadian City, Zamboanga Del Sur
Resources

Department of Finance (Bureau of Local | Pagadian City, Zamboanga Del Sur
Government Finance)

Department of Health Zamboanga City
Department of the Interior and Local _| Pagadian City, Zamboanga Del Sur
Government

Department of Justice Zamboanga City
Department of Labor and Employment _ | Zamboanga City
Department of Public Works and Zamboanga City
Highways

Department of Science and Technology _| Zamboanga City
Department of Social Welfare and Zamboanga City
Development

Department of Tourism Zamboanga City
Department of Trade and Industry Zamboanga City

As seen from the table above, various regional offices within region IX are
located within Pagadian City, Province of Zamboanga Del Sur and Zamboanga City.
It is noteworthy to point out that the time required to travel from the farthest
Municipality in Zamboanga Del Norte to Zamboanga City and vice versa as well as
the time required to travel from the farthest Municipality in Zamboanga Del Sur to
Zamboanga City and vice versa could take as long as eight (8) hours as illustrated
in the map below.


Moreover, the possibility of a person to accomplish multiple transactions
within the agencies located in different locations is low simply because of the
immense amount of time and resources required to travel between both cities.

As such, being at the geographical center of Zamboanga Peninsula, the
Municipality of Ipil within the Province of Zamboanga Sibugay serves as the prime
strategic location for the relocation of facilities, government offices and businesses
which greatly improves the accessibility of various government services and


heighten their efficiency as a whole. Moreover, the Provincial Government of
Zamboanga Sibugay is willing to assist the transfer of these Regional Offices to the
Province of Zamboanga Sibugay in the form of infrastructure and personnel
compliment for the prompt realization of this bill. With efficiency and accessibility
in mind, the designation of the Municipality of Ipil as the regional center for Region
IX shall pave way towards enhanced coordination and cooperation amongst its
regional offices as well as augment the current economic ecosystem of the region
towards achieving the betterment of the lives of our people.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate passing of this bill is earnestly
sought.

a

TTY. WILTER “SHARKY” WEE PALMA II
J 1 District, Zamboanga Sibugay

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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Philippines

EIGHTEENTH (18") CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House sito. 2051

Introduced by HON. WILTER “SHARKY” WEE PALMA II

AN ACT DESIGNATING THE MUNICIPALITY OF IPIL
WITHIN THE PROVINCE OF ZAMBOANGA SIBUGAY
AS THE REGIONAL CENTER OF REGION IX

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in the
Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Regional Center of Region IX — The Municipality of Ipil within the
Province of Zamboanga Sibugay is hereby designated as the Regional Center of
Region IX which is composed of the provinces of Zamboanga Del Norte, Zamboanga
Sibugay and Zamboanga Del Sur.

SEC. 2. Development Plan — The Regional Development Council of Region IX shall,
in coordination with the local government units, national government agencies and
instrumentalities and businesses in Region IX, formulate an overall development
program and strategic plan in order to redefine the Municipality of Ipil as the
designated Regional Center.


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SEC. 3. Relocation of Regional Offices — All Regional Offices within the Region IX
shall be relocated to the Municipality of Ipil within one year from the effectivity of
this Act. The heads of departments, agencies, bureaus, government-owned-and-
controlled-corporations and government financial institutions shall support the
regional officers in adopting and implementing their respective relocation plans,
including measures that will address the concerns of the employees affected by the
transfer.

SEC. 4. Satellite Offices - Upon the complete relocation of the regional offices to
the Province of Zamboanga Sibugay, all existing regional offices shall automatically
be converted into satellite offices for such department within the province where
it is located.

SEC. 5. Funding — The amount necessary for the development, maintenance and
administration of the regional center shall be drawn from the internally generated
funds of the local government units in Region IX and the National Government.
Thereafter, such sum as may be needed for the continued operation of the Regional
Center shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 6. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations or parts
thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed
or amended accordingly.

SEC. 7. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication
in the Official Gazette or in two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,