Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

THIRTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

H.No,__3?

Introduced by Hon. Juan Edgardo “Sonny” M. Angara

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Land is vital to the people’s sense of security and quest for a better quality of life.
However, the security of people’s land tenure can only be achieved through an efficient
land administration system including efficient survey and mapping of land, first-time
titling of alienable and disposable land, registration of land titles and title transfer and
public land management.

‘The performance of government agencies in undertaking land surveys, mapping,
classification, disposition and registration is currently hampered by fundamental legal
and institutional defects in both the structure and operations of the land administration
system.

These institutional and structural defects in land administration have caused majot
inefficiencies including extensive delays in the disposition and titling of alienable and
disposable land, inaccurate and incomplete land records, duplicate and fake titles,
duplication and overlapping of activities between government agencies, and unnecessary
costs to both the national and local governments and the general public.

To address these problems, the Government has been undertaking a Land
Administration and Management Project preparatory to a long-term program to
fundamentally reform the present land administration system.

A fundamental prerequisite in the pursuit of the necessary reforms is the
consolidation and streamlining within a single government agency of land administration
powers and functions. Currently, this is dispersed across the Department of Justice’s
Land Registration Authority and Registries of Deeds and the Department of Environment
and Natural Resources’ Lands Management Bureau, Land Management Services in the
regional, provincial and community offices, National Mapping and Resource Information
Authority, and CARP Secretariat and its field offices.

‘The Philippines is unusual, compared to its neighboring countries, in that the
government’s land administration functions are currently dispersed across multiple
agencies. Without integrating these three agencies, it would be difficult to undertake the
major long term investment of resources that will be necessary to implement the required
overall reforms.

The proposed Land Administration Reform Act seeks to enable the lands sector to

contribute to economic growth and poverty alleviation. It is for these reasons that the
consideration and approval of the bill is earnestly sought.

Ae Ge So a ain
JUAN EDGARDO “SONY” M. ANGARA


THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC }
OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session }

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
H.No,___92

Introduced by Rep. Juan Edgardo “Sonny” M. Angara

AN ACT
INSTITUTIONALIZING REFORMS IN LAND ADMINISTRATION, CREATING
FOR THE PURPOSE THE LAND ADMINISTRATION AUTHORITY AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives in Congress assembled:
ARTICLE I
GENERAL PROVISIONS:

SECTION 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as “The Land
Administration Reform Act of 2004.”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy, - It is the policy of the State to institutionalise
reforms in land administration to optimize and rationalize their contribution to the goals
of national development, the eradication of poverty and the achievement of social,
economic and cultural justice and asset reform,

SEC. 3. Strategies. - To pursue this policy, the State shall adopt the following

strategies:

(a) Provide leadership and management of reforms of land administration;

(b) Promote the efficient and effective mapping, land survey, classification,
disposition, valuation and registration of land and management of public
lands;

(©) Undertake a comprehensive and continuing land administration program,
which will make the acquisition and registration of real property affordable
and expeditious; and assist in the attainment of the government's asset reform
programs;

(d) Adopt workable policies and programs, which will accelerate and complete
the titling and registration of alienable and disposable lands, thereby providing
security of land tenure;

(©) Undertake reforms in land administration and management to ensure the
equitable distribution and full utilization and development of alienable and

disposable lands;


(D) Improve the efficiency, effectiveness, transparency and accountability of land
administration services;

(g) Establish a sustainable and viable land administration by adopting the
computerization of the land administration functions and removing of overlaps
and duplication in the delivery of land administration services;

(h) Establish an administrative system for the cancellation of duplicate and fake titles
and eradication of land grabbing activities.

(i) Provide accessible, efficient and affordable land administration services to the
people through the establishment of One-Stop-Shops nationwide;

G) Establish an effective land information system and provide easy and cheap access
to land information by members of the public;

(k) Work towards the abolition of judicial registration of title in favor of more simple

administrative processes, subject to rights of appeal to the Courts;

(I) Reform and codify all land administration laws and regulations;

(m)Rationalize and clarify the entitlements of persons to obtain land titles with the

._ intention of making the process of issuing original titles fast and low-cost;

(n) Work towards the establishment of one valuation system for all real property
taxation purposes;

(0) Improve the skills of, and career opportunities for, government employces
engaged in the provision of land administration services;

(p) Promote and support the development of a national land administration and
management education system;

(q) Reduce disincentives to the registration of property transactions;

(0) Mainstream gender in all aspects of the land administration syste

(8) Recognize, respect, ensure participation and assist in the enforcement of the land

related rights of men and women of the basic sectors, as defined in RA 8425.

SEC. 4 Definition of Terms. - For the purpose of this Act, the following terms
shall, unless the context indicates otherwise, have the following meanings:

(a) Director General — refers to the person occupying the position of Director
General of the Land Administration Authority created by this Act including any
person appointed as Acting Director General.

(b) Land Administration and Public Land Management —refers to the administration
of all functions, powers and activities related to the mapping, land survey,
classification, ownership, disposition, and registration of land titles and deeds;
and management of public lands.

_ (©) Lands Management Bureau (LMB) — a staff Bureau of the Department of

Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and, for the purposes of this Act, all


other land administration and management functions and powers heretofore
undertaken or exercised by that Department at its national, regional, provincial
and all other levels by any Office of that Department, including the Office of the
Secretary.

(a) Lands Management Services (LMS) — refers to the lands management
sector/offices of the DENR at the regional, provincial and district level.

(e) Land Registration Authority (LRA) — an attached agency of the Department of
Justice (DOJ) , including the Register of Deeds (RoD).

(0) National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA) — refers to the
agency known by that name attached to the Department of Environment and
Natural Resources.

(@) Classification and Reclassification - refers to the act of Congress in setting the
specific limits of forestlands and national parks and increasing or decreasing their
boundaries by law, respectively as provided for in Article XII, Section 4 of the
1987 Philippine Constitution.

ARTICLE IT
CREATION, MANDATE, POWERS AND FUNCTIONS OF THE LAND
ADMINISTRATION AUTHORITY

SEC. 5 Creation of the Land Administration Authority (LAA). - To carry out the
purposes of this Act, the Land Administration Authority, hereinafter referred to as the
“Authority”, is hereby created and placed under the Office of the President.

SEC 6, Mandate of the Authority. - The Authority’s mandate is to lead and
manage the implementation of the policy set forth in Sec. 2 hereof, through the Strategies

set forth in Sec, 3 hereof, and such others as may be necessary to carry out its functions.

The Authority shall be the primary government agency responsible for land
administration and public land management, especially in surveying, mapping and
charting, classification, disposition of alienable lands of the public domain and
patrimonial lands, registration of titles, and resource information generation and
‘management in order to ensure that benefits therefrom are shared equitably among and by
the present and future generations; and in a manner that meets the needs of users and the

general public.


SEC.7 Powers and Functions of the Authority. - To accomplish its mandate, the

Authority shall perform the following powers and functions:

(@)

(b)

@

©

(g)

)

(i)

Conduct, integrate and regulate the functions of geodetic and geophysical
surveys, land classification surveys, mapping, charting and oceanography
aerial photography, remote sensing, management of resource information
needed by both public and private sectors, and research development
thereof in accordance with existing laws and internationally accepted
norms and procedures and standards as provided under Executive Order
No. 192;

Survey, map and maintain data base to support the determination of
specific limits of forest lands and national parks by Congress as provided
under Section 4, Article XII of the Constitution;

Survey, map, maintain database on, administer, manage and/or dispose of
all alienable and disposable !ands of the public domain and other lands,
including foreshore and marsh ands, under the provisions of
Commonwealth Act No. 141, as amended, otherwise known as the Public
Land Act, and in accordance with existing laws such as, but not limited to,
RA 8550, RA 7279 and RA 6657;

Manage, sell and/or dispose the remaining Friar Lands under the
provisions of Act No, 1120, as amended, and in accordance with existing
laws;

Manage and dispose lands of patrimonial property of the National
Government under the provisions of Act No. 3038, or such other
Government lands as have not been placed under the administration,
management, control or exclusive use of any other Government agency by
legislative or executive issuance;

Execute cadastral surveys in accordance with the provisions of Act No.
2259, as amended. and all other kinds of surveys for national mapping and
land titling purposes;

Register original titles to land and subsequent dealings in registered lands
under the provisions of Act No. 496 and Presidential Decree No. 1529,
otherwise known as the Land Registration Act and the Property
Registration Decree, respectively;

Such other functions as are currently undertaken by the LRA/RoD,
LMB/LMS, NAMRIA, DENR-CARP National Secretariat under P.D.
1529 and C.A 141, as amended; and

Such other functions as are necessary, proper, and incidental to implement
the provisions of this Act.


SEC. 8 Stakeholders’ Advisory Committee. — The Authority shall be assisted by
the a 16-member Stakeholders’ Advisory Committee composed of the following:

(a) The DENR and DAR Secretaries and Heads of the Office of Muslim
Affairs (OMA), Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council
(HUDCC) and the National Commission for Indigenous Peoples (NCIP),
or their duly authorized representatives;

(6) Six (6) Representatives from the Basic Sectors (farmers, fisherfolk, urban
poor, workers in the informal sector; indigenous peoples and NGOs)
chosen through the nomination process of the National Anti-Poverty
Commission (NAPC);

(©) Two (2) Representatives from the NAPC Women’s Sectoral Council;

(d)__ Two Representatives from the private sector such as, but not limited to,
real estate, professionals/practitioners and academe to be chosen by the
President; and

©) The Director General.

The President shall designate the Chairperson from among the members of the
Committee excluding the Director General.

Members of the Committee, except for the Director General, shall receive such
allowances and honoraria as are allowed by COA rules and regulations for actual

attendance at meetings.

SEC. 9. Functions of the Stakeholders Advisory Committee. The Committee
shall advise the Authority on national policies and policy development pertaining to land
administration and public land management and shall monitor their implementation. It
shall submit, within three months following the end of each calendar year, a report to the

President on its advisory and monitoring activities.

SEC 10 Meetings of the Conmittee. - The Chair of the Committee Board shall
convene regular meetings of the Board, which shall be at least once every quarter. Special
meetings may be called by the Chair, as he/she may deem necessary, or at the initiative of

at least five (5) members.

SEC. 11 Secretariat and Logistical Support. ~ ‘The Office of the Director
General shall provide secretariat and logistical support to the Committee.


AR

Ch

. MANAGEMENT, PERSONNEL, IMPLEMENTING AND COORDINATING MECIIANISM

SEC 12. Structural Organization, - The Authority shall consist of:
(a) The Office of the Director General;

(b) The Offices of the Deputy Director Generals;

(©) The Offices of the Assistant Director Generals; and

(@ Field offices

SEC 13. The Director General. - The authority and responsibility for the
exercise of the mandate of the Authority, the accomplishment of its objectives and the
discharge of its powers and functions shall be vested in the Director General, a Cabinet
Rank, who shall supervise the Authority and shall be appointed by the President. For
such purposes, he/she shall have the following functions:

(a) Advise the President on the promulgation of rules, regulations and other
issuances relative to land administration and public land management;

“ (b) Establish policies and standards for the efficient and effective operations
of the Authority in accordance with the programs of the Government;

(©) Promulgate rules, regulations and other issuances necessary in carrying
out the Authority’s mandate, objectives, policies, plans, programs and
project;

(@ _ Exercise supervision over all functions and activities of the Authority;

(e) Delegate authority over all powers, functions and activities of the
Authority; ‘

(f) Perform other functions as may be provided by law or assigned by the
President.

SEC. 14. Office of the Director General. - The Office of the Director General
shall consist of the Director General and his immediate staff.

SEC. 15. Deputy Director Generals. - The Director General shall be assisted

by at least three (3) Deputy Director Generals, at least one of whom shall be a member of
the Bar or a Geodetic Engineer with at least five (5) years experience in any land
administration functions, who shall be appointed by the President upon the
recommendation of the Director General. The Director General is hereby authorized to
delineate, assign and/or reassign the respective functional areas of responsibility of the
Deputy Director Generals, provided, that such responsibility shall be with respect to the

matidate and objectives of the Authority; and provided, further, that no Deputy Director


General shall be assigned primarily administrative responsibilities. Within his functional
area of responsibility, a Deputy Director General shall have the following functions:

(2) Advise the Director General in the promulgation of department orders,
administrative orders and other issuance, with respect to his area of
responsibility;

(b) Exercise supervision over the offices, departments, operating units and
officers and employees under his responsibili

(©) Promulgate rules and regulations, consistent with Department policies that
will efficiently and effectively gover the activities of units under his
responsibility;

(d) Coordinate the functions and activities of the units under his responsibility
with those of other units under the responsibility of other Deputy Director
Generals;

(e) Exercise authority on substantive and administrative matters related to the
functions and activities of units under his responsibility as may be
delegated by the Director General; and

(Perform other functions as may be provided by law or assigned by the

Director General.

SEC. 16. Assistant Director Generals. - The Director General and Deputy
Director Generals shall be assisted by five (5) Assistant Director Generals in the
formulation, management and implementation of Jand administration and public land

‘management laws, policies, plans and programs and projects.

SEC. 17. Authority Functions. - The Director General, Deputy Director Generals
and Assistant Director Generals shall oversee day-to-day administration and supervision
of all activities necessary for undertaking the Authority’s powers and functions including,
but not limited to, the following: legal affairs; legislative liaison; sectoral and community
relations and public affairs; financial services; general services; human resources
development; policy development and evaluation; planning and programs and projects
development, monitoring and evaluation; public land management and utilization;
mapping services; cadastral surveys; land registration services; land information services;

remote sensing; and coast surveys, oceanography and charting.

SEC, 18. Field Offices of the Authority.- The Authority shall establish field
offices at such levels as it may determine to be required for the efficient and effective

delivery of its services.


The field offices shall undertake, among others, the following functions:

(a) Implement taws, policies, plans, programs, projects, rules and regulations
of the Authority on land administration and public land management;

(b) Provide efficient and effective delivery of services to the people;

(c) Coordinate with field offices of other agencies, departments, offices in the
region and local government units in the enforcement of land
administration and public land management laws and regulations and in
the formulation and implementation of programs and projects;

(d@) Recommend and, upon approval, implement programs and projects on
land administration and management and related concerns;

(©) Conduct comprehensive inventory of alienable and disposable lands of the
public domain and of patrimonial properties and formulate
district/provincial/regional short and long term development plans for the
management/administration/utilization/disposition of such toward national
development;

() Perform other functions as may be assigned by the Director General
and/or as provided by law.

ARTICLE IV
ADMINISTRATIVE ADJUDICATION

SEC 19, Quasi-Judicial Powers of the Authority. - The Authority is hereby
vested with the primary jurisdiction to determine and adjudicate land administration and
public land management matters and shall have exclusive original jurisdiction over all
matters involving the implementation of laws, rules and regulations on land
administration and public land management.

It shall not be bound by technical rules of procedure and evidence but shall
proceed to hear and decide all cases, disputes or controversies in a most expeditious
manner, employing all reasonable means to ascertain the facts of every case in
accordance with justice and equity and the merits of the case. Toward this end, it shall
adopt a uniform rule of procedure to achieve a just, expeditious and inexpensive

determination for every action or proceeding before it.

It shall have the power to investigate and resolve questions, complaints and issues

involving maps, survey plans and certificate of land titles including the power to


confiscate patently fake and spurious certificates of land title and declare their
nullification in summary proceedings.

It shall have the power to correct a clerical or typographical errors committed in

writing, copying, transcribing or typing an entry in the maps, survey plans and certificate
of land titles.

It shall have the power to summon witnesses, administer oaths, take testimony,
require submission of reports, compel the production of books and documents and
answers to interrogatories and issue subpoena, and subpoena duces tecum, and enforce its
writs through sheriffs or other duly deputized officers. It shall likewise have the power to
punish direct and indirect contempt in the same manner and subject to the same penalties

as provided in the Rules of Court.

Responsible persons shall be allowed to represent themselves or their
organizations in any proceedings before the Authority: Provided, however, That when
there are two or more representatives for any individual or group, the representatives
should choose only one among themselves to represent such party or group before any
Authority proceedings.

Notwithstanding an appeal to the Court of Appeals, the decision of the Authority
shall be immediately executory.

SEC, 20, Finality of Determination, — Any case or controversy before it shall be
decided within thirty (30) days after it is submitted for resolution. Only one (1) motion
for reconsideration shall be allowed. Any order, ruling or decision shall be final after the
lapse of fifteen (15) days from receipt of a copy thereof.

SEC 21. Frivolous Appeals. —~ To discourage frivolous or dilatory appeals from
the decisions or orders, the Authority may impose reasonable penalties including, but not

limited to, fines or censures upon erring parties,

ARTICLE V
JUDICIAL REVIEW

SEC. 22. Certiorari. — Any decision, order, award or ruling of the Authority on

any dispute or on any matter pertaining to the application, implementation, enforcement,

or interpretation of this Act and other pertinent laws on land administration and public


W

land management may be brought to the Court of Appeals by certiorari within fifleen (15)
days from the receipt of a copy thereof.
The findings of fact of the Authority shall be final and conclusive if based on substantial

evidence.

SEC. 23. No Restraining Order or Preliminary Injunction. — No court in the
Philippines shall have jurisdiction to issue any restraining order or writ of preliminary
injunction against the Authority or any of its duly authorized or designated offices in any
case, dispute or controversy arising from, necessary to, or in connection with the
application, implementation, enforcement, or interpretation of this Act and other pertinent

Jaws on land administration and public land management.

ARTICLE VI
TRANSITORY PROVISIONS:

., SEC 24, Transfer of Powers. All powers to perform the functions of the
Authority heretofore vested by law in the DENR, DOJ, LRA/RoD, LMB/LMS,
NAMRIA and DENR-CARP National Secretariat, or in any Office within or attached to
these agencies, are hereby transferred to and vested in the Office of the Director General

of the Authority.

SEC. 25. Creation of Interim Offices, Pending approval of a long-term
organizational structure for the Authority, there are hereby created three (3) Offices
within the Authority, namely: a) the Lands Management Office, to perform the functions
through the structures of the former LMB/LMS; b) the Land Registration Office, to
perform the functions through the structures of the former LRA/RoD; and c) the National
Mapping and Resource Information Office, to perform the functions through the
structures of the former NAMRIA. These interim offices shall continue until the long-

term organizational structure for the Authority has been approved.

SEC 26. Organization of the Authority. - The Authority's organizational and
administrative structure and functions and staffing pattern, including the personnel's
duties and responsibilities and the appropriate compensation package shall be submitted
by the Director General for approval of the President within six (6) months from the
effectivity of this Act and shall be fully implemented within a period of three (3) months

after such approval is given.


Sec. 27. Transfer of Personnel.- To ensure a smooth transition, all incumbent
personnel of the DENR’s LMB/LMS, NAMRIA, DENR-CARP National Secretariat and
its field offices, and LAMP; the DOJ’s LRA/RoD shall continue to perform their present
duties and functions as interim personnel of the Authority until such time, being not later
than twelve (12) months from the effectivity of this Act, that they have been appointed as
regular staff of the Authority based on the new staffing pattern, or separated from the
service: Provided, That such personnel shall be appointed by the Director General, or
his/her duly authorized representative, on the basis of merit and fitness: Provided further,
That only personnel who are not offered appointment under the new staffing pattern of
the Authority on at least equivalent terms and conditions as their present employment
within twelve months of this Act’s effectivity shall be entitled to a gratuity at a rate
equivalent to three (3) months’ salary for every year of continued and satisfactory service
rendered, or the equivalent nearest fraction thereof favorable to them on the basis of
highest salary received, in addition to the retirement benefits or pensions under existing

retirement law.

© SEC 28, Abolition of LMB/LMS, NAMRIA, DENR-CARP National Secretariat,
and LRA/RoD, ~The DENR’s Lands Management Bureau, Land Management Services,
National Mapping and Resources Information Authority and CARP National Secretariat
and its field offices; and the DOJ’s Land Registration Authority and Register of Deeds,

are hereby abolished.

SEC. 29. Unexpended Appropriations and Transfer of Assets.- The unexpended
balances of appropriations in the current General Appropriations Act and other Acts in
force upon approval hereof, pertaining to, held or used by, or available to the LRA and
RoD, NAMRIA, LMB, LMS, DENR-CARP National Secretariat and its field offices, and
the Land Administration and Management project (LAMP), are hereby transferred to the
Authority.

Such other unexpended balances of appropriations as may be deemed appropriate
by the Department of Budget and Management for transfer to the Authority shall be so
transferred.

Alll real and personal properties, assets, liabilities, records, documents, positions,
appropriations, contracts, and agreements which, upon the effectivity of this Act, are
vested in, or owned, by the LMB/LMS, NAMRIA, DENR-CARP National Sccretariat
and its Field Offices, LRA/RoD, and LAMP, are hereby transferred to the Authority.


SEC. 30. Preservation of Records. - Pending a written notice of receipt issued
by a duly authorized officer of the Authority, it shall be the explicit duty of any and all
personnel responsible for, or in possession of records relating to the affairs of the LMB,
LMS, NAMRIA, the DENR-CARP National Secretariat and its field offices, the LRA

and the RoDs to protect and preserve such records.

Without prejudice to any other penalties provided for by law, any person who
fails to fulfill his/her duty pursuant to the above paragraph, shall be guilty of an offense
against the provisions of this Act, punishable by a fine of not more than One million
Pesos (PhP 1,000,000.00) or imprisonment of not more than five years, or both, upon the
discretion of the Courts. He/She shall also be removed from the office, forfeit all
retirement benefits, except for accumulated leave credits and be perpetually disqualified

from holding any public office.

., SEC 31, Saving Clause. - All orders, determination, rules, regulations, permits,
certificates, licenses and privileges which have been issued, made, or granted effective by
the former LMB, LMS, NAMRIA, LRA, RoDs, DENR-CARP National Secretariat and
ils field offices, and LAMP or their predecessors shall continue to be in effect according
to their terms until modified, terminated, superseded, set aside, or repealed.

No suit, action or other proceeding commenced by or against any officer in his
official capacity as an officer of any division or unit of the former LMB, LMS,
NAMRIA, LRA, RoDs, DENR-CARP National Secretariat and its field offices, and
LAMP, the functions of which are transferred by this Act to the Authority shall abate by
reason of this Act. In like manner, no cause of action by or against such division or unit
or by or against any officer thereof in his official capacity shall abate by reason of the
enactment of this Act. Causes of actions, suits, or other proceedings may be asserted for

or against the Authority or such official of the Authority as may be appropriate.

ARTICLE VII
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

SEC 32. Use of Income - There is hereby established a trust fund to be known as
Land Administration Authority Fund for purposes of financing projects of the Authority.
The Authority may solicit and receive donations, endowments, and grants in the form of

contributions, which shall all be exempted from income or gift taxes and all other taxes,


13

charges or fees imposed by the Government or any political subdivision or

instrumentality thereof.

Fifly percent (50%) of all revenuc derived by the Authority from all fees, charges
and other sources shall directly accrue to the Fund, and may be utilized directly by the

Authority for the above purpose.

Provided, however, That no provision of this Act shall be interpreted as
amending, revoking or modifying any of the provisions of the Indigenous Peoples Rights
Act (RA 8371), Agriculture and Fisheries Modemization Act (RA 8435), Urban
Development and Housing Act (RA 7279) and the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Act
(RA 6657).

See. 33. Exemption from the Salary Standardization Law and Attrition Law. The
Authority is hereby exempted from the provisions of R.A. 6758, otherwise known as the

Salary Standardization Law, and R.A. 7430, known as the Attrition Law.

SEC 34. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Authority shall prepare,
promulgate and adopt the implementing rules and regulations to carry out the provisions

of this Act not later than 90 days after the effectivity of this Act.

SEC. 35. Separability Clause. - Should any provision of this Act or any part
thereof be declared unconstitutional or invalid by a court, the other provisions hereof

which are not affected thereby, shall remain in force and effect.

SEC 36. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, instructions,
proclamations, rules and regulations or parts thereof, including pertinent provisions of
Executive Order No. 192 and its related rules and regulations; EO 469 dated February 11,
1981 and the subsequent Presidential Memorandum Circular dated 30 September 1988
and their related rules and regulations; and the Administrative Code of 1987, which are
inconsistent with any provision of this Act, are hereby repealed, modified or amended

accordingly.

. 37.

Fffectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days afler its

complete publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved