EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H. B. No. 4543

Introduced by Rep. Vilma Santos-Recto
6" District of Batangas

AN ACT

STRENGTHENING THE CITIZEN ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES,
REINSTITUTING FOR THE PURPOSE A MANDATORY RESERVE OFFICERS’
TRAINING CORPS (ROTC) PROGRAM IN THE CURRICULUM OF ALL
UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE, DIPLOMA, CERTIFICATE OR TECHNICAL-
VOCATIONAL PROGRAMS IN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE TERTIARY-LEVEL
EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND
FOR OTHER PURPOSES

EXPLANATORY NOTE

‘A reserve force performs important missions in the security of the State and its
people. Under the current policy regime, the country’s reserve force provides the base for the
expansion of the Armed Forces of the Philippines in the event of war, invasion or rebellion. It
also assists in relief and rescue operations during disaster or calamities, in socioeconomic
development programs of government and in the operation and maintenance of essential
government or private utilities. As such, it is critical that the reserve force remains organized,
manned and equipped to respond to the exigencies of the times.

The Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) Program is one of the avenues through
which reservists are recruited into the reserve force. Under the ROTC Program, military
training is provided to students enrolled in colleges, universities and other similar institutions
of learning, after which they are conferred with enlisted ranks and assigned to reserve units.
By making the ROTC Program a requirement for graduation under Republic Act No. 7077,
otherwise known as the “Citizen Armed Forces of the Philippines Reservist Act," the program
provided an effective manner to recruit able-bodied men into the Reserve Force. A mandatory
ROTC Program, however, also provided an avenue for unscrupulous individuals to commit
violence, corruption and other offenses that tarnished an otherwise praiseworthy undertaking.

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These crimes and offenses prompted Congress to enact a law to make the military training
voluntary, and to provide more options to comply with the national service training
requirements.

The problems of a voluntary military training program, however, has been apparent
since the implementation of Republic Act No. 9163, otherwise known as the “National
Service Training Program (NSTP) Act of 2001.” The enrollment of students in the ROTC
Program steadily declined, to the point that UP Vanguard, Inc. estimated that only 14% of all
NSTP graduates have undergone military training. The academic and administrative

supervi
been delegated to individual schools, creating a fragmented organization for training and

over the design, formulation, and adoption and implementation of the NSTP has

mobilizing reservists. This policy regime resulted in a citizen armed force lacking in terms of
number and training given the demands of disaster risk reduction and management, let alone
the exigencies of a state of war or lawless violence. As such, there is a need to establish
measures to address the inadequacy of the law for, as the Court ruled, the constitutional duty
of the Government to defend the State cannot be performed except through an army... to
leave the organization of an army to the will of the citizens would be to make this duty of the
Government excusable should there be no sufficient men who volunteer to enlist therein’,

This bill seeks to reinstitute the ROTC Program as a mandatory component in the
curriculum of all undergraduate degree, diploma, certificate or technical-vocational programs
in public and private tertiary-level educational institutions nationwide. Additionally, it
addresses several prevailing issues and concerns in the training and mobilization of reservists.
This bill seeks to ensure that the ROTC program remains relevant by including training on
external and territorial defense, internal security operation, public safety administration, and
disaster relief and risk reduction management in the ROTC Program. This bill likewise
addresses the fragmented structure of the NSTP Program by allowing the Department of
National Defense, in coordination with other government agencies concerned, to develop a
standard program of instruction to be implemented by all ROTC Units nationwide. This bill
also intends to deter ROTC Officers and administrators of ROTC Units from committing
offenses by providing more stringent penalties for crimes such as sexual harassment, hazing,
bribery and extortion, among others. Finally, to ensure the readiness of reserve officers, the

* people ofthe Phippines vs Tongue Logman. GR No. L-4S882. iy 33,3938.


bill establishes a mechanism for mobilization and training to be implemented throughout the

incumbency of a reservist in the Reserve Officer Corps.

‘These measures are undertaken to ensure that the youth — the most valuable resource

of the nation — is instilled with a sense of patriotism, civic responsibility and discipline while

being trained and organized for the noble purpose of servinf§-the country.
a
ae

VILMA SANTOS-RECTO

In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill i



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EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE )

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session )
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
H.B.No._4543

Introduced by Rep. Vilma Santos-Recto
6" District of Batangas

AN ACT

STRENGTHENING THE CITIZEN ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES,
REINSTITUTING FOR THE PURPOSE A MANDATORY RESERVE OFFICERS’
TRAINING CORPS (ROTC) PROGRAM IN THE CURRICULUM OF ALL
UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE, DIPLOMA, CERTIFICATE OR TECHNICAL-
VOCATIONAL PROGRAMS IN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE TERTIARY-LEVEL
EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND
FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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

ARTICLE I
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the “Revitalized Reserve Officers’

Training Corps Act”.

Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is hereby declared the policy of the State to
recognize the vital role of the youth in nation-building, to promote and protect their physical,
moral, spiritual, intellectual, and social well-being, to inculcate unto them the value of
patriotism, and to encourage their involvement in public and civic affairs. Towards this end,
the State shall educate, train, equip, and organize the youth sector into a capable poo! of
reserve officers by reinstituting a mandatory Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC)
Program in the curriculum of all undergraduate degree, diploma or certificate programs in all
public and private tertiary-level educational institutions in the country, allowing the State to
organize and maintain a pool of capable reservists ready to respond to the exigencies of
hostilities, crises, calamities and other contingencies both in the national and local levels.

ARTICLE I
RESERVE OFFICERS’ TRAINING CORPS PROGRAM



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Sec. 3. Reinstitution of the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps Program. — The ROTC
Program is hereby reinstituted as a mandatory component in the curriculum of all
undergraduate degree, diploma or certificate programs in public and private tertiary-level
educational institutions in the country.

Sec. 4. Coverage. — All students enrolled in undergraduate degree, diploma or

certificate programs in public and private tertiary-level educational institutions in the country
shall be required to undergo the ROTC Program.

Sec. 5. Exemptions From Enrolment. ~ Every student enrolled in undergraduate
degree, diploma or certificate programs in public and private tertiary-level educational
institutions shall be required to undergo the Basic ROTC Program as provided in Section 7 of
this Act, except for students with the following circumstances:

a) Those who are physically or mentally unfit to render military duty as certified by a
military medical officer;

b) Those whose religious beliefs proscribe any aspect of military or national service
such as, but not limited to, using firearms and other deadly weapons, training in warfare
tactics and combat operations, or rendering service in military and other similar institutions;

©) Those who have been convicted by final judgment of criminal offenses involving
‘moral turpitude;

4d) Those foreign students enrolled in undergraduate degree, diploma or certificate
program offered by any tertiary-level educational institution in the country;

©) Those who have undergone similar military training from a previous degree,
diploma, certificate or technical-vocational program; and

f) Those with circumstances that may impede the realization of the objectives of the
ROTC Program as determined by the Department of National Defense (DND).

The students with circumstances enumerated above, with the exception of students
with circumstances stipulated in item (¢), shall undergo a Special National Service Training
Program as provided in Section 10 of this Act.


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Sec. 6. ROTC Units in Tertiary-Level Educational institutions. ~ All public and
private tertiary level educational institutions including Technical-Vocational Institutions
(TVIs) shall establish and maintain an ROTC Unit in their respective campuses with the
primary duty of implementing the Basic and Advanced ROTC Program, and the Special
National Service Training Program as provided for in this Act: Provided, That the DND shall
prescribe the minimum organization and staffing requirements of ROTC Units.

Sec. 7. Basic ROTC Training Program. — A Basic ROTC Program shall be
established as a mandatory component in the curriculum of all undergraduate degree, diploma
or certificate programs in public and private tertiary-level educational institutions in the
country.

Sec. 8. Components of Basic ROTC Program. — Subject to a program of instruction to
be prescribed by the DND in coordination with other government agencies concerned, the
Basic ROTC Program shall have the following components:

a) Training on External and Territorial Defense;

b) Training on Internal Security, Peace and Order, and Public Safety; and

©) Training on Disaster Risk Reduction and Management.

Sec. 9. Advanced ROTC Training Program. ~ An Advanced ROTC Program shall be
established which may be pursued by undergraduate degree students on a voluntary basis.
Students enrolled in the Advanced ROTC Program shall comprise the Officer Corps of their
respective ROTC Units and shall assist the DND in the management and conduct of the
ROTC Program within their respective educational institutions.

The program of instruction for the Advanced ROTC Program shall be prescribed by
the DND in coordination with other government agencies concemed: Provided, That the
program of instruction shall include training on leadership and voluntary sector management
to effectively administer the Basic ROTC Program: Provided, further, That all prospective
applicants shall complete an officer candidate qualifying course during their respective Basic
ROTC Program prior to their admission to the Advanced ROTC Program.

Sec. 10. Special National Service Training Program. — The Special National Service
Training Program is hereby established as a substitute program for students exempted from
undertaking the ROTC Program as provided for in Section 5 of this Act to comply with the
ROTC requirement in their curriculum and complete their undergraduate degree, diploma or
certificate program.

The Special National Service Training Program shall include, but not be limited to,
the following components:


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a) Literacy Training Service Program;

b) Civic Welfare Training Service Program; and

©) Emergency Life Support Training Service Program.

‘The program of instruction for the Special National Service Training Program shall be
prescribed by the DND in consultation with Department of Education (DepEd), Commission
on Higher Education (CHED), Office of Civil Defense (OCD), Department of Social Welfare
and Development (DSWD) and other government agencies concerned.

Sec. 11. Tuition Fees. — Consistent with the provisions of Republic Act
No. 10391, otherwise known as the “Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act,”
enrollment in Basic and Advanced ROTC Programs in all State Universities and Colleges,
Local Universities and Colleges, state-run TVIs and other public tertiary level educational
institutions shall be exempt from the payment of tuition and other school fees: Provided, That
the tuition and other school fees to be incurred in Basic and Advanced ROTC Programs of
qualified students enrolled in private tertiary-level educational institutions may be charged
from the Tertiary Education Subsidy as provided for in Republic Act No. 10391, otherwise
known as the “Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act.”

Sec. 12. Benefits of Enrolment in the Advanced ROTC Programs. — Students enrolled
in the Advanced ROTC Program shall, upon the approval of the Department of Budget and
Management (DBM) and in accordance with existing laws, rules and regulations, be entitled

to the following benefits:

a) Provision for military uniforms;

b) Free accommodation in university- or college-owned student residences or
dormitories, subject to availability of such facilities;

©) Fifty percent (50%) tuition subsidy for students enrolled in private educational
institutions belonging to the top 5% of their respective academic class; and

4) Other allowances, benefits and privileges that may be prescribed by the DND,

ARTICLE ti
OTHER MILITARY TRAINING PROGRAMS
Sec. 13. Citizen Military Training. ~ The DND shall continue to implement the
Citizen Military Training Program in accordance with Republic Act No. 7077, as amended,
fizen Armed Forces of the Philippines Reservist Act.”

otherwise known as the

Sec. 14. Preparatory Military Training Program. ~ A Preparatory Military Training
Program shall be established as a mandatory component of the senior high school education

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curriculum in public and private secondary-level educational institutions as classified under
Republic Act No. 10533, otherwise known as the “Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013.”

The program of instruction for the Preparatory Military Training Program shall be
prescribed jointly by the DND and the DepEd.

ARTICLE IV
RESERVE OFFICERS CORPS

Sec. 15. Reserve Officer Corps. ~ There shall be a Reserve Officer Corps composed
of the following:

a) Graduates of Basic and Advanced ROTC Programs and the Special National
Service Training Program as provided in this Act: Provided, That foreign individuals who
completed the Special National Service Ti
Section 10 of this Act shall be excepted from becoming members of the Reserve Officer
Corps;

ing Program in accordance with

b) Graduates of previous military or national service training programs, including:
i. Citizen Military Training as provided in Republic Act No. 7077, as
amended, otherwise known as the “Citizen Armed Forces of the Philippines Reservist
Act;
ii, ROTC Programs as provided in Commonwealth Act No. 1, as amended,
otherwise known as “The National Defense Act,” and Republic Act No. 7077, as
amended, otherwise known as the “Citizen Armed Forces of the Philippines Reservist

Act;” and

ili, National Service Training Program as provided in Republic Act

No. 9163, otherwise known as the “National Service Training Program (NSTP) Act of

2001.”

Sec. 16. Membership in the Reserve Officer Corps. — All students who complete the
Basic and Advanced ROTC program and the Special National Service Training Program
shall receive an enlistment rank and a serial number.

Graduates of the Special National Service Training Program, with the exception of
foreign individuals who completed the program in accordance with this Act, shall be
automatically registered as members of the Reserve Officer Corps with enlistment rank of
private or its equivalent.

Graduates of the Basic ROTC Programs shall be automatically registered as members
of the Reserve Officer Corps with enlistment rank ranging from private to sergeant or its
equivalent: Provided, That conferment of ranks higher than private or its equivalent shall be

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made based on merit: Provided, further, That graduates of the Basic ROTC Program who opt
to enroll in the Advanced ROTC Program shall carry their enlistment rank until the
completion of the same.

Graduates of the Advanced ROTC Program shall be automatically registered as
members of the Reserve Officer Corps with enlisted rank of sergeant and shall be
recommended for commission in the Reserve Officer Corps as second lieutenants: Provided,
That graduates of Advanced ROTC Program who manifest potential may be commissioned
as second lieutenants in the Regular Force and other Uniformed Services, subject to the
qualifications and training requirements to de determined by the Major Services of the Armed
Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Bureau of Jail
Management and Penology (BJMP), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and Philippine National
Police (PNP).

Sec. 17. Deployment of Reserve Officers. — Reserve officers shall be deployed in
reserve units of the AFP, BFP, BJMP, PCG, PNP, and other government agencies that may
be identified by the Office of the President. The reserve officer concerned shall be notified of
the reserve officer’s deployment in writing and shall be provided with information relevant to
the said deployment: Provided, That the DND shall, in coordination with the AFP, BFP,
BIMP, PCG, PNP and other government agencies concerned, formulate criteria and
guidelines in the deployment of members of the Reserve Officer Corps: Provided, further,
‘That the AFP, BFP, BJMP, PCG, and PNP shall be responsible for the administration,
equipage and maintenance of their respective reserve units.

Sec. 18. Duration of Membership in the Reserve Officer Corps. ~ A reserve officer
shall remain a member of the Reserve Office Corps until the age of forty (40).

Sec. 19, Accounting of Reserve Officers. — To ensure the readiness of reserve officers
to the call of duty, the DND shall regularly update reserve officers’ records and status. The
DND may call on government agencies and reservists and veteran organizations to assist in
the accounting of reserve officers in accordance with existing laws, rules and regulations.

ARTICLE V
MOBILIZATION AND TRAINING OF RESERVE OFFICER CORPS

Sec. 20. Mobilization of Reserve Officer Corps. ~ The President of the Philippines,
acting as the Commander-in-Chief of all armed forces of the Philippines, shall have the
power to command full or partial mobilization of the Reserve Officer Corps in case of a
declaration of a state of war, state of lawless violence, or state of calamity, and in response to

national or local contingencies related to external and territorial defense, internal security,

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peace and order, public safety, and disaster risk reduction and management. The President
shall have the authority to revert reserve officers mobilized to active duty back to inactive
status.

The Reserve Officer Corps may also be called upon and mobilized by the President of
the Philippines to assist government agencies and instrumentalities, including local
government units in their respective functions related to external and territorial defense,
internal security, peace and order, public safety, and disaster risk reduction and management.

The DND shall, in coordination with the AFP, BFP, BJMP, PCG, PNP and other
government agencies concerned, establish the necessary organizational structure and
operational procedures for mobilizing the Reserve Officer Corps in accordance with the
provisions of this Act and other existing laws, rules and regulations.

Sec. 21. Status of Reservists during Mobilization. — Reserve officers called to active
duty by virtue of mobilization shall be entitled to equivalent pay and allowances, medical
care, and other privileges and benefits prescribed by law or regulations for officers and
enlisted personnel in the Regular Force.

Sec. 22. Training of Reserve Officer Corps. — Reserve officers shall be required to
attend a periodic training program to enhance the readiness of individual reserve officers and
reserve units in responding to calls for mobilization. Each reserve officer shall, depending on
the reserve rank conferred, render training duty during the incumbency of his or her
membership in the Reserve Office Corps: Provided, That the minimum duration of the

training duty shall be as follows:
Reserve Soldier or Equivalent Rank 50 Training Days
Reserve Corporal or Equivalent Rank 60 Training Days
Reserve Sergeant or Equivalent Rank 70 Training Days
Reserve Technical Sergeant or Equivalent Rank 80 Training Days

Reserve Master Sergeant or Equivalent Rank 90 Training Days
Reserve First Lieutenant or Equivalent Rank 100 Training Days

Reserve Second Lieutenant or Equivalent Rank 110 Training Days
Reserve Captain or Equivalent Rank 120 Training Days

Reserve Major or Equivalent Rank 130 Training Days
Reserve Lieutenant Colonel or Equivalent Rank 140 Training Days

Reserve Colonel or Equivalent Rank 150 Training Days
Provided, further, That the training duty requirement shall be apportioned throughout the

entire incumbency of the reserve officer in the Reserve Officer Corps in tranches of five (5)

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days: Provided, finally, That the program of instruction for the training program, including
the system to notify and recruit reserve officers to fulfill their training duty obligation, shall
be developed and implemented by the AFP, BFP, BIMP, PCG, PNP for their respective
reserve units.

Sec. 23. Exemptions from Training. — Every reserve officer shall be required to
undergo training as provided in Section 22 of this Act, except for reserve officers with the
following circumstances:

a) Those who are physically or mentally unfit to undergo training as certified by a

military medical officer;

b) Those whose religious beliefs proscribe any aspect of military or national service
such as, but not limited to, using firearms and other deadly weapons, training or engaging in
warfare tactics and combat operations, or rendering service in military and other similar
institutions;

c) Those who have been convicted by final judgment of criminal offenses involving
moral turpitude;

d) Those who are employed as uniformed personnel in the AFP, BFP, BJMP,
National Mapping and Resource Information Authority, PCG, and PNP;

€) Those who are employed as medical and allied medical professionals in public
hospitals and other similar public health facilities;

f) Those who are employed as social workers in national government agencies and
local government units;

g) Those who are employed as teachers in kindergarten, elementary and secondary
educational institutions; and

h) Those who are engaged in employment or a professio

involving the delivery of
basic health services, provision of emergency medical services, preparation and response to
disasters and calamities, and performance of other vital services to be identified by the DND.

Sec. 24. Employer Cooperation During Reserve Officer Mobilization and Training. —
Every employer shall grant leave of absence to reserve officers when called for mobilization
or training in accordance with the provisions of this Act: Provided, That the reserve officer
concerned has been employed for a continuous period of at least six (6) months: Provided,
further, That reserve officers employed for less than six (6) months under their present
employer may request in writing a deferment of mobilization or training until such time that
that the minimum employment duration of six (6) months has been achieved.


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No employer shall terminate the employment or forcibly retire a reserve officer solely
or mainly by reason of mobilization or training as provided for in this Act: Provided, That an
employer may terminate the employment or services of a reserve officer if the contract of
employment between the employer and the reserve officer includes provisions terminating
the contract after a pre-determined period of employment, the completion of a specific
objective, or the delivery of a specific output or product.

For the purpose of this Act, a reserve officer terminated from employment within
three (3) months after the commencement of the reserve officer’s mobilization or training
shall be presumed to have been terminated by reason of such mobilization or training, unless
the employer can provide proof that such termination of employment was for a reason
unconnected with the fulfilment of the reserve officer's obligations under this Act.

ARTICLE VI
PENAL PROVISIONS

Sec. 25. Failure to Respond to Mobilization Call. — Failure of a reserve officer to
respond to the call for mobilization made after the declaration of a state of war or lawless
violence shall be punishable in accordance with the Articles of War, and shall, upon the
conviction by a court-martial, be punishable by imprisonment of not less than six (6) months
but not more than two (2) years.

Failure to respond to the call for mobilization made after the declaration of a state of
calamity or during national or local contingencies related to internal security, peace and
order, public safety, or disaster risk reduction and management shall be punishable by one
hundred twenty (120) hours of community service to be administered by the reserve unit of
the erring reserve officer.

Sec. 26. Failure to Grant Leave of Absence for Mobilization or Training. —
Employers who shall deny leave of absence from a reserve officer being called for
mobilization or training shall be punished with a fine of not less than fifty thousand pesos
(P50,000.00) nor more than five hundred thousand pesos (P500,000.00) or imprisonment of
not less than one (1) month nor more than one (1) year, or both, at the discretion of the court.

If the offense is committed by a corporation, trust, firm, partnership, association or
any other entity, the penalty shall be imposed upon the guilty officer or officers of such
corporation, trust, firm, partnership, association or entity.


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Sec. 27. Illegal Termination or Retirement of Reserve Officers. ~ Employers who
shall terminate or forcibly retire a reserve officer from employment solely or mainly by
reason of mobilization or training shall be punished with a fine of not less than one hundred
thousand pesos (P100,000.00) nor more than one million pesos (P1,000,000.00) or
imprisonment of not less than three (3) months nor more than three (3) years, or both, at the
discretion of the court.

If the offense is committed by a corporation, trust, firm, partnership, association or
any other entity, the penalty shall be imposed upon the guilty officer or officers of such
corporation, trust, firm, partnership, association or entity.

Sec. 28. Offenses Punishable Under Existing Laws. ~ For acts or omissions
punishable under existing laws such as, but not limited to: hazing, bribery and extortion, graft
and corruption, or sexual harassment, the maximum penalty under existing laws shall be
imposed. In addition, the offender punished under this section shall be subject to perpetual
disqualification to hold public office.

Sec. 29. Administrative Offenses. — Administrative offenses committed by persons
involved in the implementation of this Act shall be subject to administrative penalties in
accordance with existing civil service laws, rules and regulations.

ARTICLE VII
FINAL PROVISIONS

Sec. 30. Capability Development and Enhancement Program for Training Instructors.
~The DND shall, in coordination with the AFP, BFP, BJMP, DepEd, PCG, PNP, and other
government agencies concerned, develop a training program for instructors of the Citizen
Army Training Program, Preparatory Military Training Program, Basic and Advanced ROTC
Programs, Special National Service Training Program, and the training programs for the
Reserve Officer Corps.

Sec. 31. Integration of Existing Reserve Units and Service Corps. — All reservists in
the Reserve Force created under Commonwealth Act No. 1, as amended, and Republic Act
No. 7077, as amended, and in the National Service Reserve Corps created under Republic
Act No. 9163, otherwise known as the “National Service Training Program (NSTP) Act of
2001” shall be integrated to the Reserve Officer Corps created under this Act.

The DND shall formulate guidelines and procedure for the retrieval, collection,
collation and transfer of information and records pertaining to reservists into the Reserve
Officer Corps. The DND shall likewise establish guidelines and criteria for determination of
the appropriate ranks and designation of reserve officers in the Reserve Office Corps.

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Sec. 32. Appropriations. — The amount necessary for the implementation of the
provisions of this Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act following
its enactment into law.

Sec. 33. Implementing Rules and Regulations. ~The DND shall, in coordination with
the DepEd, CHED, DBM, and Technical Education Skills and Development Authority, and
in consultation with tertiary-level school associations, promulgate the necessary
implementing rules and regulations within thirty (30) days upon the effectivity of this Act.

Sec. 34. Repealing Clause. ~ All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations or parts
thereof inconsistent with any of the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended or
modified accordingly.

Sec. 35. Separability Clause. ~ If, for any reason, any provision of this Act or any part
thereof shall be held unconstitutional and invalid, the other parts or provisions of this Act,
which are not affected thereby, shall remain in full force and effect.

Sec. 36. Effectivity Clause. ~ This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
complete publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general
circulation.

Approved,

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