REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES /
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 10 JUL 2013

Quezon City G9 PH,

Introduced by MAGDALO Party List Representatives Gary C. Alejano
and Francisco Ashley L. Acedillo

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The relocation of a nation’s capital and government center is a monumental task. National capitals occupy
@ commanding position in the stature and development of nations, They are the visible symbols of
national pride and a defining vehicle for national progress. A well-planned capital and government center
is one which combines functionality and aesthetics. It promotes a more efficient govemiment operation,
encourages economic buoyancy in a seemingly underdeveloped region, and stands as a testament to the
unique heritage of a nation.

The city of Canberra has been an example used by many emerging nations in the post- World War II
period. The Australian Capital Territory was declared on 1 January 1911 and an international competition
‘was held to design the new capital city of Australia.’ Another premier example of capital relocation is
Brasilia which experienced rapid growth after its establishment as Brazil’s capital in 1961. The newer
national capitals, on the other hand, are coming to be examples in urban development — vehicles for
experiment from which other municipalities in each nation can leam?

Since 1976, the city of Manila and the National Capital Region have been the seat of national
government. Unfortunately, decades henceforth, lack of urban planning as manifested by antiquated
drainage system, degraded air quality, faulty traffic management, and proliferation of illegal settlers make
Metro Manila a place with only little space for development. According to the National Economic
Development Authority, the country, particularly Metro Manila, is losing Php2.4 billion per day in
potential income as a result of traffic congestion problems alone, leading to lost productivity. Lamentably,
Metro Manila is a capital which could hardly stand proud in the ranks of national capitals throughout the
world

It is therefore imperative for Congress to create a National Capital Commission to comprehensively study
the potential of relocating and transferring of the national capital and permanent scat of the national
government of the country from the City of Manila and the National Capital Region (NCR).

In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this Act is earnestly sought.

ERANCISCO ASHLEY L. ACEDILLO RY C. ALEJANO

* Canberra - Australia's capital city. Information retrieved from http://austtalia gov au/about-australia/australian story /canberta:
australias-capital-cty on 7/8/2013.
Sid.


REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS,
First Regular Session

1328

House Bill No.

Introduced by MAGDALO Party List Representatives Gary C. Alejano
and Francisco Ashley L. Acedillo

AN ACT
CONSTITUTING A NATIONAL CAPITAL COMMISSION FOR CAPITAL
RELOCATION

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

SECTION 1. Organization.- The National Capital Commission, hereinafter referred to
as the “Commission” is hereby constituted in order to study possibility and feasibility of capital

relocation and transfer of the permanent seat of the government of the Philippines.

SEC. 2. Composition.- The Commission shall be composed of three (3) Commissioners

appointed by the President of the Republic.

SEC. 3. Mandate. It shall be the mandate of the Commission to study and recommend
thenceforth the transfer or non-transfer of the capital and permanent seat of the government of

the Philippines.

SEC. 4. Secretariat and Technical Committee.- The Commission shall organize its
Secretariat which shall provide administrative and technical support to the Commission. The
Commission and its Secretariat shall hold office in such venue as the Commission may deem

appropriate.


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The Commission is hereby authorized to create technical committees and designate
members thereof, and may engage the assistance of experts and professional advisors, subject to

government rules and regulations.

SEC. 5. Term of Office.- The Commission shall complete its work not later than two (2)
years from the date of approval of this Act, and shall submit to the President of the Philippines a

report of the work undertaken by it together with its corresponding recommendations.

In case of a recommendation not to transfer the capital and seat of government of the
Republic, the Commissison shall also submit its recommendations on how to improve the
existing state of affairs in the City of Manila and the National Capital Region (NCR), with the
end in view of promoting more effective and efficient government service and enable the City of
Manila and the NCR to meet the challenge of serving as national capital and seat of government

in the decades to come.

SEC. 6. Termination. — Upon completion of its work and the submission of its report not
later than two (2) years from the date of the approval of this Act, the Commission shall cease to
exist and the services of the Commissioners and members of the Secretariat and Technical

Committee shall terminate.

SEC. 7. Appropriation.- The Commission shall be funded with an initial allocation of

One Hundred Million Pesos (P100,000,000.00) from the General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 8. Repealing Clause. All previous issuances inconsistent with the provisions of this

order are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 9. Effectivity. This order shall take effect upon its publication in the Official
Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,