NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
SENATE
S. No. 14
tHE
DATE:
Introduced by Senators PIA S. CAYETANO and ALAN PETER "COMPANERO" S.
CAYETANO
AN ACT
MANDATING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A TWENTY (20)-YEAR SPORTS 
EXCELLENCE ROADMAP TO STRENGTHEN GRASSROOTS SPORTS PROGRAM, 
AND DEVELOP WORLD-CLASS ELITE ATHLETES, APPROPRIATING FUNDS 
THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
In the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, our national athletes made an epic history for 
Philippine sports after winning our first Olympic gold medal and garnering two silvers and 
one bronze, surpassing our three-bronze record set in the 1932 Los Angeles Olympics.1 
This is a major improvement from our country's performance in the past Olympics, 
considering that after light flyweight boxer Mansueto "Onyok" Velasco's silver medal in 
the 1996 Olympics, the next Olympic medal that we won was weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz's 
silver in the 2016 Olympics.2 However, in spite of our national athletes' recent 
achievements in the international multi-sport event, there is still much that we can do to 
support and protect them in return for their dedication, hard work, and sacrifices in 
honing their skills to be able to raise our flag in the world of sports and bring honor to 
our country.
1 Lozada, B. (2021, August 7). PH wraps up most successful Olympics campaign with 4 medals. Philippine 
Daily Inquirer, https://sports.inquirer.net/432836/ph-wraps-up-most-successful-olympics-campaign-with- 
4-medals
2 The Filipinos that brought home Olympic medals. (2021, August 8). Business Mirror. 
https://www.bworldonline.eom/sports/2021/08/08/387601/the-filipinos-that-brought-home-olympic-medals/


As such, there is a need to establish a roadmap that would continuously support 
Filipino athletes, as grassroots athletes do not become world-class elite athletes 
overnight. A good example is our golden girl, Olympian Hidiyn Diaz, who started her 
weightlifting journey at the young age of 11.3 She was then able to join the 2008 Beijing 
Olympics as a wild card entry of the Philippine Weightlifting Association, making her the 
first Filipina to represent this sport.4 In 2012, Diaz became the first Filipina weightlifter 
to compete in two (2) consecutive Olympics, although she did not make a podium finish.5 
It was during the 2016 Rio Olympics when Diaz bagged a silver medal, becoming the first 
Filipina to win an Olympic medal in weightlifting.6 Four years later, in the 2020 Tokyo 
Olympics, Diaz made history once again after winning the gold medal in the same sport, 
ending the 97-year gold medal drought of our country in the Olympics.7
The road to sports excellence begins with population-based fitness programs, as 
well as participation in sports and other physical activities. From there, we can identify a 
pool of young athletes, some of whom will have the potential to qualify in international 
sports competitions and become elite world-class athletes. The State should be able to 
identify, develop and train these potential world-class elite athletes through a 
comprehensive sports framework. As such, this bill proposes to establish a national policy
3 How did Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz get into weightlifting?. (2021, July 27). GMA Network. 
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/sports/othersports/796967/how-did-olympic-gold-medalist-hidilyn- 
diaz-get-into-
weightlifting/story/#;~:text=According%20to%20her%20cousin%2C%20Allen,competition%20at%2011%2
0years%20old.
4 Department of Education. (2016, December 6). Hidilyn Diaz: A Victor’s Crown. Department of Education 
Philippines, https://www.deped.gov.ph/2016/12/06/hidilyn-diaz-a-victors-crown/
5 Olivares, R. (2016, July 21). Could Third Olympics be the Charm for Hidilyn Diaz? PhilStar. 
https://www.philstar.eom/sports/2016/07/21/1605160/could-third-olympics-be-charm-hidiiyn-diaz
6 Olympic Channel (2019, November 10). Hidilyn Diaz on eating her way to Olympic weightlifting glory. 
Olympics, https://olympics.com/en/featured-news/exclusive-interview-weightlifting-hidiiyn-diaz- 
philippines-diet-tokyo
7 Roscher, Liz. (2021, July 27). Weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz wins first-ever gold for Philippines, ending 97- 
year drought. PH News, https://ph.news.yahoo.com/olympics-weightlifter-hidilyn-diaz-wins-first-ever-gold- 
for-philippines-ending-97-year-drought-
202410805.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_ 
sig=AQAAAKSoTQO9TP4wgzaaOFIieDS04rnSS0Thv06w30SypcSBAa0l50sZERws59th_ZQLwbVGhXE 
oFYVt1hV_tLb6nK84zyk8JgipfyM_gWBYiEDmvwBMI7uvQgomj1ykUce8QIXaCtN2SPOVHLBip2flhVOS 
2NyAbd44H-UThOHEIcT


comprehensive sports framework. As such, this bill proposes to establish a national policy 
through a twenty-(20) year Roadmap for Sports Excellence that would improve our 
grassroots programs, and empower Filipino athletes to pursue their dreams in the field 
of sports. This proposed measure will mandate the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), 
in close coordination with the National Sports Associations (NSAs), the Philippine Olympic 
Committee (POC), and the National Academy for Sports (NAS), to start working on the 
blueprint for sports development that will strengthen grassroots sports and identify and 
train potential elite Filipino athletes who can excel in various sports competitions. The 
Roadmap for Sports Excellence shall likewise identify the annual budgetary requirements 
over a twenty-(20) year period in order to fully harness the potentials of Filipino athletes. 
On this note, each NSA is mandated to prepare their respective roadmaps and shall only 
receive financial assistance if their roadmap has been reviewed and approved by the PSC. 
The continuous funding of the NSAs shall be further determined by the PSC based on the 
proper and efficient implementation of their roadmaps.
This proposed measure also recognizes the crucial and collaborative roles of the 
PSC, POC, NAS, NSAs, educational institutions, and local government units, together with 
other stakeholders, in providing opportunities and avenues for Filipino athletes to develop 
and excel in their respective sports, with the end goal of creating more Filipino champions 
in the world of sports.
In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought.
PIA S. CAYE-^NO|/
ANERO" S. CAYETANO
ALAN


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
SENATE
S. No. 14
THE
Introduced by Senators PIA S. CAYETANO and ALAN PETER "COMPANERO" S.
CAYETANO
AN ACT
MANDATING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A TWENTY (20)-YEAR SPORTS 
EXCELLENCE ROADMAP TO STRENGTHEN GRASSROOTS SPORTS PROGRAM, 
AND DEVELOP WORLD-CLASS ELITE ATHLETES, APPROPRIATING FUNDS 
THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled:
1 
Section 1. Short Tide. — This Act shall be known as the '"'Roadmap for Sports
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Excellence Act"
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Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. —The State recognizes its vital role in promoting
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sports excellence by ensuring population-based participation in physical activities, and
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the development of grassroots sports programs, league competitions, and amateur
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sports, including training for national and international competitions. Towards this end, a
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roadmap shall be established to promote the pursuit of sports excellence, which shall be
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based on targeted and achievable goals for sports development in the country. The
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roadmap shall also Identify and rank the specific sports and athletes that are ready and
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primed to join international competitions based on measurable indicators, taking into
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consideration the talent and capability of Filipino athletes. The State shall exhaust and
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maximize available resources for the development of potential world-class elite athletes,
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by providing them, among others, budgetary support and opportunities to participate in
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various sports competitions.


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Sec. 3. Roadmap for Sports Excellence of the Philippine Sports Commission. —The
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Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), in close coordination with the Philippine Olympic
3 
Committee (POC) and the National Academy for Sports (NAS), shall establish and
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implement a twenty (20)-year sports development roadmap, hereinafter referred to as
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the Roadmap for Sports Excellence, which shall be based on the roadmap of each National
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Sports Association (NSA), and updated at least every five (5) years. In the Roadmap for
7 
Sports Excellence, the PSC shall identify the specific sports in the Philippines that can
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excel on an international level. It shall provide for a national and local policy on developing
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the potential, honing the skills and talents, and supporting Filipino athletes to become,
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among others, world-class qualifiers and medalists in the Olympics and other international
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sports competitions. The PSC shall also include and delineate the tasks of the national,
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regional, and local sports authorities to ensure the Roadmap for Sports Excellence's full
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implementation. The Roadmap for Sports Excellence shall also include the budgetary
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requirements necessary for the full implementation of this Act: Provided, That the PSC
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shall closely work and coordinate with all stakeholders, and issue the necessary rules and
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regulations that would properly implement the Roadmap for Sports Excellence.
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Sec. 4. Roadmap of Each National Sports Associations. — All NSAs shall craft their
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respective roadmaps for the national development of their own sports, which shall
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incorporate, among others, programs and activities for grassroots promotion, identifying
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potential athletes, assistance for trainings and competitions, including the necessary
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budgetary requirements, to support their athletes' full development in both the national
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and international arena, with special programs and funding for those with the potential
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to become world-class elite athletes in the Olympics and other international sports
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competitions. All NSAs shall set goals on the expansion of their grassroots programs and
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the exposure and opportunities for their respective athletes and coaches in national and
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international sports competitions: Provided, That the NSAs shall only receive financial
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assistance if their roadmap has been reviewed by the PSC, certifying its propriety and
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compliance with Section 7 of this Act: Provided Further, That the continuous funding of
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the NSAs shall be determined by the PSC based on the proper, reasonable, and efficient
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implementation of each NSA's roadmap.


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Sec. 5. Development of Grassroots Program. — In addition to its functions under
2 
Republic Act No. 11470, or the "The National Academy of Sports," the NAS, together with
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the Department of Education (DepEd) and the PSC, shall establish a systematic grassroots
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program that would properly identify and select Filipino athletes based on a qualifying
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admission criteria, and develop them to become world-class elite athletes: Provided, That
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all public educational institutions and Local Government Units (LGUs) shall actively
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participate and support the programs, activities, and projects of the PSC and the NAS,
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while private educational institutions are encouraged to do the same: Provided Further,
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That nothing in this Section shall limit or prevent all NSAs from pursuing other programs
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and activities for the development of their respective sports.
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Sec. 6. Institutionalization of Indicators of Oiympic-Bound Sports through Local
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and National Competitions. —The PSC and the NAS shall institutionalize a point system,
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through well-organized local and national sports competitions, that will be used as
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Indicators in identifying and ranking the Focus Sports. Focus Sports refer to specific sports
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and athletes ready and primed to participate and excel in international competitions,
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including the Olympics. In identifying the Focus Sports, the indicators used shall be
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measurable and achievable by Filipino athletes, taking into consideration their talents and
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capabilities, which shall also serve as the basis in selecting the pool of national athletes.
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Sec. 7. Roadmap Components. —The Roadmap shall contain, among others, the
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policy on the following:
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a. 
Sports Development and Participation for AH. — Promote and encourage
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population-based participation in sports and other physical activities, which
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shall be the basis for the development of more skilled athletes. Coordinate
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with the LGUs for programs involving, among others, mass participation in
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physical fitness activities.
26 
b. 
Taient Identification. 
— Promote early recognition and development of
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talented and exceptionally gifted Filipino athletes who have demonstrated
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the potential of excelling in the field of sports.
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c. 
Education & Sports. —In coordination with various educational institutions,
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including the NAS, the University of the Philippines (UP), and other


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concerned government agencies and non-governmental organizations 
(NGOs), shall ensure that highly talented and exceptionally gifted students 
are given the opportunity to pursue and excel in sports and have access to 
good quality education.
Pursuant to Republic Act No. 11470, or "The National Academy of Sports", 
NAS shall identify satellite branches and regional campuses of the NAS 
System to enhance grassroots sports development, and for the 
identification and training of elite Filipino athletes.
The University of the Philippines College of Human Kinetics (UP-CHK) shall 
assist and provide expertise to the PSC and the NSAs in crafting the 
Roadmap for Sports Excellence, pursuant to the roadmap competents 
provided under this Act. The UP-CHK, through partnership with the PSC, 
shall:
(1) Review existing evidence to identify various factors related to 
elite sporting success;
(2) Examine which of these factors are applicable to the Philippine 
setting and culture; and
(3) Recommend strategies to improve planning and implementation 
of sports program.s based on the said factors.
Sports Scholarships and Grants. — Provide scholarships under relevant 
laws to all qualified athletes, and offer grants for sports science research to 
build the knowledge generation capacity of Filipino sports science 
practitioners and researchers.
Health and Well-being. — Ensure that the health of Filipino athletes, 
including their safety, is protected at all times, which includes their physical, 
mental, and emotional well-being. Secure elite Filipino athletes' access to 
proper nutrition, health care professionals, including free or subsidized 
vitamins and medical expense coverage, taking into consideration the


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budget needed for emergency situations, such as athletes' sports-related 
medical examination and procedures, as well as strive to provide the same 
benefits for athletes in grassroots sports. Including student-athletes, in 
direct coordination with their educational institutions and other concerned 
agencies.
f. 
Infrastructure and Training Faciiities. — Ensure that all Filipino athletes are 
given the opportunity to properly train in their respective sports, by 
providing them with adequate support and funding to train in safe and 
world-class facilities, with well-maintained equipment, including other items 
needed for training.
g. 
Amateur to Nationai Athiete Support — Identify the gaps and address the 
issues that should be resolved in order to provide a policy on the early 
recognition and development of potential elite athletes by providing 
adequate support for grassroots athletes and training them to become 
potential qualifiers and medalists in the Olympics and other international 
events. Proactively coordinate and collaborate with concerned agencies, 
including NGOs, such as the Philippine Olympic Committee.
h. 
Locai and International Competitions. — Plan the potential sports career 
track for all Filipino athletes, from student to amateur to national level, 
including the promotion of all local and international sports competitions.
i. 
Right to Join Competitions and/or Represent the Philippines. — Promote 
and safeguard the right of every qualified Filipino athlete to join local and 
international sports competitions, by, among others, protecting them from 
unjustified refusal or objection by their respective NSAs or educational 
institutions, whichever is applicable.
j. 
Welfare of Filipino Athletes. — Incorporate and mandate all interested 
parties to recognize and uphold the rights and welfare of all Filipino athletes, 
at all times, especially during policy- and decision-making.
k. 
Special Benefits/Incentives/Privileges. — Ensure that all qualified athletes 
and coaches shall automatically be given the corresponding benefits and


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incentives, as provided by Republic Act No. 10699, or the National Athletes 
and Coaches Benefits and Incentives Act
l. 
Funding. — Strengthen the framework for the budgetary requirements of 
all Filipino athletes, depending on their respective needs during their 
preparation, training, and competitions.
m. 
Public-Private Partnership. — Encourage active private sector participation 
through, among others, public-private partnerships that would enable the 
full implementation of the twenty (20)-year Roadmap for Sports Excellence, 
including the roadmap of each NSAs.
In crafting the Roadmap, the PSC, in coordination with the POC and the NSAs, 
shall Identify all the gaps and possible issues that could prevent Filipino athletes from 
harnessing their full potential in their respective sports and include the solutions, targets, 
and objectives that would fully support the athletes in pursuit of their respective goals 
and targets, which include becoming potential qualifiers and medalists in the Olympics 
and other international competitions.
Sec. 8. Roadmap for Sports Excellence National Coordinating Council. — In order 
to promote and identify a common policy direction that will navigate through a holistic 
perspective and identify key result areas in determining a sustained sports development 
in the Philippines, the Roadmap for Sports Excellence National Coordinating Council is 
hereby established which shall be composed of the following:
a. 
The Commissioner, Philippine Sports Commission, as Chairperson of the 
Council;
b. 
Heads, National Sports Associations, as members;
c. 
The Executive Director, National Academy of Sports, as member;
d. 
The Secretary, Department of Education, as member;
e. 
The Secretary, Department of the Interior and Local Government, as 
member;
f. 
The President, Philippine Olympic Committee, as member;
g. 
One (1) student-athlete representative;
h. 
One (1) national athlete representative; and


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b.
C.
i. Two (2) private sector representatives who are known supporters of sports 
development in the country.
The heads of government agencies may be represented by an official whose rank 
shall not be lower than an Assistant Secretary or its equivalent.
Sec. 9. Functions of the Roadmap for Sports Excellence National Coordinating 
Council. —The Roadmap for Sports Excellence National Coordinating Council shall have 
the following powers and functions:
a. Oversee and monitor the progressive realization of the Roadmap for Sports 
Excellence, as well as the roadmap of each NSAs;
Identify the key result areas on measuring a sustained sports development 
in the Philippines;
Constantly review and assess the roadmap components in Section 9 of this 
Act based on national and international sports development policies and 
standards;
Resolve issues relative to the implementation of this Act, without prejudice 
to the member-agencies resolving such concerns pursuant to their 
respective mandates;
Request for support and technical assistance from any department, agency, 
or office under the Executive Branch for the effective implementation of this 
Act;
Promulgate the rules and regulations implementing the provisions of this 
Act within ninety (90) days from its effectivity; and 
Perform such other functions pursuant to the fulfillment of the objectives of 
this Act.
Sec. 10. Appropriations. —The amount needed for the initial implementation of 
this Act shall be taken from the current budget of the PSC. Thereafter, the amount needed 
for the full implementation of this Act, including the Roadmap for Sports Excellence shall 
automatically be included in the annual General Appropriations Act of the PSC.
Sec. 11. Separability Clause. — If any part or provision of this Act is declared 
unconstitutional or invalid, the remainder of this Act or any provision not affected thereby
e.
f.
g-
7


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shall remain to be in full force and effect,
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Sec. 12. Effectivity Clause. —This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
3 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,