Republic of the Philippines
3 fy ~
House of Representatives f * RECEIVED
Quezon City, Metro Manila ie
© DATED 9 HAN 2014
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS Tee
First Regular Session y

House Bill No, 373.2

Introduced by Honorable ERLPE JOHN “PING” M. AMANTE.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Section 6 of R.A. No. 9280 which covers the scope of practice of customs broker
profession in its present form does not consider employment in government as practice
of profession. This is unlike in the case of other professional regulatory laws as for
example R.A. No, 9298 or practice of accountancy and R.A. No. 8495 or the practice of
mechanical engineering. The proposed amendment will not only make R.A. No. 9280 in
harmony with other professional regulatory laws but will make customs brokers in
government more aware of their professional accountability in the discharge of their
official functions.

The proposed amendment of Section 6 seeks to make the Customs Broker
Licensure Examination (CBLE) converted into professional level civil service eligibility
under R.A. No. 1080 otherwise known as “An Act Declaring the Bar and Board as Civil
Service Examinations”.

‘The Philippines’ accession to the International Convention on Simplification and
Harmonization of Customs Procedures otherwise known as the Revised Kyoto
Convention (RKC) necessitates the amendment of some local laws among them R.A. No.
9280 otherwise known as the Customs Brokers Act of 2004 and the Tariff and Customs
Code of the Philippines, as amended,

The concept is that the Bureau of Customs should match the expertise of a
highly-trained Customs Broker in private practice making the import entry declarations
and that customs brokers as professionals would serve as government's first line of
defense against unlawful acts against customs.

‘The proposed amendment of Section 32 of R.A. No. 9280 seeks to inculcate in the
minds of customs brokers that their primary function as professionals is the collection of
rightful revenue due the government and not the pecuniary interest of their clients when
making import and export declarations and representing them before the Bureau of
Customs. This is similar to the primary responsibility of lawyers of administering justice
in their advocacy when representing clients before the courts of justice.

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

ERUPE Jt nen AMANTE


Repubue ot ne rninppines

House of Representatives
Quezon City, Metro Manila

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

3732

House Bill No.

Introduced by Honorable ERLPE JOHN “PING” M. AMANTE

AN ACT PROFESSIONALIZING THE BUREAU OF CUSTOMS, COMPLYING WITH
COMMITMENT OF THE PHILIPPINES’ ACCESSION TO THE INTERNATIONAL
CONVENTION ON THE SIMPLIFICATION AND HARMONIZATION OF CUSTOMS
PROCEDURES OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE REVISED KYOTO CONVENTION, TO
MAKE CUSTOMS BROKERS MORE AWARE OF THEIR RESPONSIBILITY AND
ACCOUNTABILITY AS A PROFESSIONAL THEREBY AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE
R.A, NO. 9280, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE CUSTOMS BROKERS ACT OF 2004.

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives in session assembled:
SECTION 1. Section 6 of Republic Act No. 9280 is hereby amended to read as follows:

SECTION 6. Scope of Practice of Customs Brokers ~ Customs Broker
Profession involves services consisting of consolation, preparation of
customs requisite documents for imports and exports, declarations of
customs duties and taxes, preparation, signing, filing, lodging and
processing of import and export entries, representing importers and
exporters before any government agency and private entities in cases
related to valuation and classification of imported articles and
rendering of other professional services in matters relating to
customs and tariff laws, its procedures and practices.

A custom broker shall be considered in the practice of the
profession if the nature and character of his/her employment in
private enterprises AND IN GOVERNMENT requires professional
knowledge in the field of customs and tariff administration. THE
CIVIL SERVICE ELIGIBILITY SHALL BE THE CUSTOMS BROKER
LICENSURE EXAMINATIONS CONVERTED INTO PROFESSIONAL
LEVEL UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 1080
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS “AN ACT DECLARING THE BAR AND
BOARD EXAMINATIONS AS CIVIL SERVICE EXAMINATIONS”.
He/she is also deemed in the practice of customs broker profession if
he/she teaches customs and tariff administration subject in any
university, college or school duly recognized by government.

SECTION 2. Paragraph (f), Section 8 of R.A. 9280 is hereby amended to read as follows:
SEC. 8. Qualification of the Chairman and Members of the Board.-


The chairman and members of the Board must, at the time of their
appointment:

( Not be a member of the faculty, whether full-time or part-time, of
any school, college or university or A REVIEW OR TRAINING
CENTER where a regular and/or review course in customs
administration is taught, nor shall have any pecuniary interest in
such institution; and

SECTION 3. Section 27 of R.A. 9280 is hereby amended to read as follows:

“SECTION 27 - Acts Constituting Practice of Customs Broker
Profession.- Any single act or transaction embraced within the
provision of Section 6 hereof shall constitute an act of engaging in the
practice of customs broker profession. IMPORT ENTRY SHALL BE
SIGNED BY A CUSTOMS BROKER AND THE
CONSIGNEE/OWNER/IMPORTER UNDER OATH BASED ON THE
COVERING DOCUMENTS SUBMITTED BY THE IMPORTERS:
PROVIDED THAT, EXPORT DECLARATION SHALL BE SIGNED BY
‘THE EXPORTER OR, AT HIS OPTION, DELEGATE THE SIGNING
AND PROCESSING OF THE DOCUMENT TO HIS DESIGNATED
CUSTOMS BROKER OR AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE.

SECTION 4. Section 30 of R.A. 9280 is hereby amended to read as follows:

SECTION 30. Prohibition Against Financing Activities By Customs
Brokers.- No Customs Brokers shall advance and finance on behalf of
their client-importers the payment of duties and taxes, arrastre
charges, wharfage dues, storage fee and other port AND
WAREHOUSE charges.

SECTION 5. Section 32 is hereby amended to read as follows:

SECTION 32. Code of Ethics for Customs Broker Profession. THE
BASIC FOUNDATION OF THE CODE OF ETHICS FOR CUSTOMS
BROKERS IS THE PREMISE THAT THEY ARE QUASI-CUSTOMS
OFFICIALS AND THE PRIMARY FUNCTION OF THEIR OFFICE IS
COLLECTION OF RIGHTFUL REVENUE DUE THE GOVERNMENT.
ANY ACT BY A CUSTOMS BROKER WHICH IS CONTRARY TO HIS
PRIMARY FUNCTION SHALL BE CONSTRUED AS VIOLATION OF
THE CODE OF ETHICS AND SHALL BE SUBJECT HIM TO
ADMINISTRATIVE SANCTIONS AND THE PENAL PROVISIONS OF
THIS ACT. The Board shall adopt and promulgate the Code of Ethics
and Code of Technical Standards which shall be prescribed and
issued by the accredited professional organization of customs
brokers.

SECTION 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR)- Within three (3) months from
effectivity of this Act, the Professional Regulatory Commission, through the Professional
Regulatory Board for Customs Brokers with due consultation to the accredited
professional organization shall promulgate the IRR of this Act.


SECTION 7. Separability Clause — If any portion or provision of this Act is declared
unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provision not affected thereby shall
remain in force and effect.

SECTION 9. Repealing Clause ~ All laws, presidential decrees, letters of instruction,
executive orders, rules and regulations, or any part thereof inconsistent with the
provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 10. Effectivity — This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following its
publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,


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Republic of the Philippines ao “n
House of Representatives” RECEIWWED %&
Quezon City, Metro Manila | pxi@ 3-JAN2044—

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS en
First Regular Session \%,
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House Bil nd 733 es

Introduced by Honorable ERLPE JOHN “PING” M. AMANTE

EXPLANATORY NOTE

‘This Bill seeks to establish a National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) District
Office in the City of Cabadbaran, Province of Agusan del Norte.

The National Bureau of Investigation is maintaining only one office in the
whole Caraga Region which also serves as its Regional Office. Aside from its regular
function of rendering technical assistance for the efficient detection and
investigation of crimes and the coordination with national and local law
enforcement agencies for the maintenance of peace and order, one of the basic and
frontline services that the NBI is serving directly its clientele is the issuance and
renewal of NBI Clearance which most people applying for domestic and overseas
employment needed for their successful employment. However, with the existing
organizational set up of the Bureau with only one office catering entire Caraga
Region, it is highly necessary for the NBI to start establishing district or satellite
offices within the region to maintain the efficient and responsive service of the
Bureau to the people.

‘The City of Cabadbaran, the capital city of the province of Agusan del Norte
and the seat of the provincial government, is a strategic location for the
establishment of national government offices as it will not only serve the populace
‘of Agusan del Norte but also the people of nearby provinces of Surigao del Norte
and Surigao del Sur.

With the establishment of a NBI District Office in the City of Cabadbaran,
Agusanons and Surigaonons need not to go to NBI Regional Office in Butuan City
just to secure or renew NBI Clearance. Also, it is anticipated to decongest the bulk
of work that the Regional Office is undertaking, thus, better and quality service will
be provided.

In view of the foregoing, the approval of this Bill is earnestly sought.



Republic of the Philippines

House of Representa
Quezon City, Metro Manila

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

3733

House Bill No.

Introduced by Honorable ERLPE JOHN “PING” M. AMANTE

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A NATIONAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION (NBI)
DISTRICT OFFICE IN THE CITY OF CABADBARAN,
AGUSAN DEL NORTE AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFORE

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

Section 1. Establishment - There shall be established a National Bureau of
Investigation (NBI) District Office in the City of Cabadbaran, Agusan del Norte.

Section 2. Rules and Regulations - The Director of the National Bureau of
Investigation shall issue rules and regulations necessary for the effective
implementation of this Act.

Section 3. Appropriations ~ The Director of the National Bureau of Investigation
shall immediately include in the programs of the Bureau the establishment and
operationalization of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) District Office in the
City of Cabadbaran, Agusan del Norte, the funding shall be included in the General
Appropriations Act.

Section 4. Hffectivity - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in at least two (2) newspaper of general circulation.



Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City, Metro Manila

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bit wo, 3734

Introduced by Honorable ERLPE JOHN “PING” M. AMANTE

EXPLANATORY NOTE

‘This bill seeks to create the Caraga National Dairy Cow Research
Center which shall lead in the research of breeding and raising dairy cows in
Caraga Region.

This is to support the Philippines’ Dairy Roadmap 2010-2016 which
envisions a vibrant local dairy industry providing affordable milk to Filipinos
and contributing to agribusiness expansion and job generation.

The National Dairy Authority (NDA) projects by 2014 a demand of
98.02 million liters of Ready-to-Drink Milk; however, supply will only be
89.10 million liters in which 52.08 million liters (58%) have to be imported.
‘This is equivalent to Php 3.2 billion to 3.9 billion.

To achieve the Roadmap’s target of 43% local milk sufficiency by
2016, a total of 20,000 dairy animals should be infused to build the required
milking herd of about 55,000 heads. With dairy cows being more productive
than other milk-producing animals, it is imperative that we increase and
improve its stock and complement this with the promotion of dairy
production enterprises through research and development.

‘The Caraga State University is being proposed as location of the
Center due to available land area and its experience in breeding large
ruminants.

Hence, approval of this bill is earnestly requested.



Republic of the Philippines

House of Representatives
Quezon City, Metro Manila

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill no. 3734

Introduced by Honorable ERLPE JOHN “PING” M. AMANTE

AN ACT
CREATING THE CARAGA NATIONAL DAIRY COW RESEARCH CENTER
AT THE CARAGA STATE UNIVERSITY, BRGY. AMPAYON, BUTUAN CITY
AND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREOF

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

SECTION 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the
“Caraga National Dairy Cow Research Center Act.”

SECTION 2. Creation of the Caraga National Dairy Cow Research
Center. — There is hereby created a Caraga National Dairy Cow
Research Center, hereinafter referred to as the CNDCRC, which shall
lead in the research of dairy cow breeding and development of dairy
production enterprises in Caraga Region, and shall be under the
supervision and control of the National Dairy Authority.

The CNDCRC shall be located inside the Caraga State University
(CSU), Brgy. Ampayon, Butuan City or in any other area within
Caraga Region the CNDCRC Advisory Board deems appropriate.

SECTION 3. Objectives and Functions ~- The CNDCRC shall have
the following objectives and functions:

a. Provide the National Dairy Authority (NDA) and local farmers a
steady supply of quality dairy cow stocks at reasonable prices
through an organized program of production, breeding, and
dispersal which may be in partnership with the private sector;


b. Undertake scientific research that shall lead to the improvement
of over-all productivity of dairy cows in the Philippines, as well
as developmental research to promote the establishment of
dairy production and processing enterprises;

c. Conduct training programs for farmers and entrepreneurs to
transfer knowledge and technology on the proper reproduction
and raising of dairy cows and the processing of its milk to
different products;

d. Coordinate with the NDA in implementing programs to boost
local production of milk and reduce importation of milk and
other dairy products; and,

e. Enter into memoranda of agreement and receive donations
through the Department of Agriculture from local and foreign
sources.

SECTION 4. CNDCRC Advisory Board. — ‘The CNDCRC Advisory
Board shall be composed of the following:

Administrator of the NDA or his representative, as Chairman;
Executive Director, Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry
and Natural Resources, Research and Development (PCARRD);
President of the Caraga State University;

Director of the Bureau of Animal Industry;

Executive Director of CNDCRC; and,

Farmers’ representative to be appointed by the Board.

ee.

meee

SECTION 5. Functions of the CNDCRC Advisory Board. — The
CNDCRC Advisory Board shall perform the following functions;

a. Formulate policies, programs and projects for the development
of Philippine dairy cow stocks and dairy production and
processing enterprises;

b. Review and recommend the annual budget of the CNDCRC;
and,

c. Evaluate the implementation, efficiency and effectiveness of the
program and projects of the CNDCRC.

SECTION 6. Executive Director of the CNDCRC. — The Executive
Director of the CNDCRC shall be appointed by the Secretary of the
Department of Agriculture.

SECTION 7. Personnel and Staff - The CNDCRC Executive
Director shall appoint such other personnel and staff as may be
necessary for the effective operation of the CNDCRC subject to
existing rules and regulations.

SECTION 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations, The Secretary
of the Department of Agriculture shall issue rules and regulations as
he may deem necessary for the implementation of this Act.


SECTION 9. Appropriation. —The amount necessary to carry out
the provisions of this Act shall be included in the General
Appropriations Act of the year following its enactment into law and
thereafter.

Any income from the sale of dairy cow stocks, bull semen, and other
valuable produce of the CNDCRC shall be placed in a revolving fund to
be used to support its operations.

SECTION 10. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive
orders, proclamations, rules and regulations, or parts thereof
inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 11. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is
held invalid or unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected
hereby shall remain valid and subsisting.

SECTION 12. _Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15)

days after its publication in at least two (2) national newspapers of
general circulation.

Approved,


“| Republic of the Philippi
House of Representatives

fl Quezon City, Metro Manila /

/

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill vo. 3735 5 :

Introduced by Honorable ERLPE JOHN “PING” M. AMANTE

EXPLANATORY NOTE

‘This bill seeks to create mandatory positions for tourism officers at
the provincial and city levels and optional positions at the municipal level.

In support of the State's policy of developing responsible and
sustainable tourism that ensures full enjoyment of benefits by host
communities, professional and qualified tourism officers must be appointed
in every LGU to enhance their competence and capacity to plan, manage,
and oversee local tourism development.

Republic Act 9593, otherwise known as The Tourism Act of 2009,
speaks of the creation of a permanent item for a tourism officer in every
province, city, and municipality. However, this is only mandated to areas
described loosely as having a significant tourism industry, as provided in
Section 125(a) of the said Act. This bill shall set a clear directive on the
appointment of tourism officers in LGUs, at least at the provincial and city
levels, with the confidence that tourism must certainly exist in these
jurisdictions — may it be by hosting attractions, sports/medical/wellness
facilities, and venues for meetings, incentives, conventions, and
events/exhibits (MICE) or by being key tourist service centers.

The mandatory accreditation of all primary tourism enterprises, as
stipulated in R.A. 9593, will likewise need the tourism officers for its effective
implementation on the ground.

Taking all these into account, the approval of this bill is thus
earnestly requested.

ERIPE JI ING”/M. AMANTE


Republic of the Philippines

House of Representatives
Quezon City, Metro Manila

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 3'735_

Introduced by Honorable ERLPE JOHN “PING” M. AMANTE

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR MANDATORY APPOINTMENT OF TOURISM OFFICERS
IN PROVINCES AND CITIES AND OPTIONAL APPOINTMENT IN
MUNICIPALITIES, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT 7160,
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE OF 1991 AS
AMENDED, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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

SECTION 1. Declaration of Policy. — The State shall provide fora
local government position that will be responsible for and accountable
to the development of the tourism industry whereby it is harnessed as
an engine of sustainable socio-economic growth and cultural
affirmation to generate investment and employment.

SECTION 2. Section 443(b) of Republic Act No. 7160 entitled
“Officials of the Municipal Government” is hereby amended to read as
follows:

(b) In addition thereto, the mayor may appoint a municipal
administrator, a municipal legal officer, a municipal
agriculturist, a municipal environment and natural resources
officer, a municipal social welfare and development officer, a
municipal architect, (and) a municipal information officer(.), and
a municipal tourism officer.

SECTION 3. Section 454(a) of Republic Act No. 7160 entitled
“City Officials in General” is hereby amended to read as follows:


(a) There shall be in each city a mayor, a vice-mayor,
sangguniang panlungsod members, a secretary to the
sangguniang panlungsod, a city treasurer, a city assessor, a
city accountant, a city budget officer, a city planning and
development coordinator, a city engineer, a city health officer,
a city civil registrar, a city administrator, a city legal officer, a
city veterinarian, a city social welfare and development officer,
(and) a city general services officer(.), and a city tourism
officer.

SECTION 4. Section 463(a) of Republic Act No. 7160 entitled
“Officials of the Provincial Government” is hereby amended to read as
follows:

(a) There shall be in each province a governor, a vice-governor,
members of the sangguniang panlalawigan, a secretary to the
sangguniang panlalawigan, a provincial treasurer, a provincial
assessor, a provincial accountant, a provincial engineer, a
provincial budget officer, a provincial planning and
development coordinator, a provincial legal officer, a provincial
administrator, a provincial health officer, a provincial social
welfare and development officer, a provincial general services
officer, a provincial agriculturist, (and) a provincial
veterinarian(.), and a provincial tourism officer.

SECTION 5. There shall be incorporated in Title V entitled “Appointed
Local Officials Common to All Municipalities, Cities, and Provinces” of
the said Code a new article to be known as Article XXI on The Tourism
Officer to read as follows:

“ARTICLE XXI
The Tourism Officer

Section 490-A. Qualifications, Powers, and Duties

(a) No person shall be appointed tourism officer unless he is a
citizen of the Philippines, a resident of the local government
unit concerned, of good moral character, a holder of a college
degree on tourism, business, law, economics, marketing, public
administration or other related fields from a recognized college
or university, and a first grade civil service eligible or its
equivalent. He must have at least five (5) years of substantial
work experience and involvement in the tourism industry either
in the private sector or government.



Local Government Units with existing Tourism Officers prior to
the implementation of this law will be given three (3) years to
comply with the aforementioned requirements.

(b) The tourism officer shall take charge of the office for tourism
and shall:

(1) Prepare, implement, coordinate, monitor and update
local tourism development plans;

(2) Ensure the proper enforcement of tourism standards,
laws, rules and regulations;

(3) Provide regular reports on status of tourism plans and
programs, tourist arrivals, employment, occupancy rates,
investment and tourist products, among others, to the
local chief executive and DOT; and

(4) Coordinate with the DOT and its attached agencies and
corporations in regard to the development and promotion
of tourism in the locality.

(c) Exercise such other powers and perform such other duties and
functions as may be prescribed by law or ordinance.”

SECTION 6. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive
orders, proclamations, rules and regulations, or parts thereof
inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 7. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is
held invalid or unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected
hereby shall remain valid and subsisting.

SECTION 8. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15)

days after its publication in at least two (2) national newspapers of
general circulation.

Approved,