Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
19TH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ___ 
Introduced by Representative Michael L. Romero 
 EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Office for Alternative Dispute Resolution (OADR) is an attached agency 
of the Department of Justice created pursuant to Republic Act (R.A.) No. 9285 
or the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Act of 2004. 
It is mandated to promote, develop and expand the use of ADR in the private 
and public sectors; assist the government in monitoring, studying and 
evaluating the use of ADR by the public and private sectors; and recommend to 
Congress needful statutory changes to develop, strengthen and improve ADR 
practices in accordance with world standards. 
This House Bill seeks to provide Modernization Funding to the Office for 
Alternative Dispute Resolution (OADR), to ensure that the country fulfills its 
commitments to envision an enlightened society that rises above conflicts and 
empowers parties in making arrangements to settle their own disputes that is 
fair and just for all. 
The Office for Alternative Dispute Resolution (OADR) will adhere to its mission 
to promote and protect the interest of the Republic of the Philippines. 
October 10, 2022
3:11 pm
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Thus, the early passage of this bill is earnestly requested. 
MICHAEL L. ROMERO 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
19TH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ___ 
Introduced by Representative Michael L. Romero 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR MODERNIZATION FUNDINGFOR THE OFFICE 
FOR ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION (OADR), 
INCREASING AND REORGANIZING ITS ADMINISTRATION, TO 
PROMOTE AND INSTITUTIONALIZE THE EFFECTIVE AND 
ETHICAL USE AND PRACTICE OF ADR IN THE COUNTRY AND 
FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 
1. 
DECLARATION OF POLICY – It shall hereby be a declared 
policy of the State to promote, develop and expand the use of ADR in the public 
and private sectors. 
The state shall Continually improve the Quality Management System. 
The state shall formulate policies for the efficient and effective administration 
and management of all manpower, skills and competencies to ensure 
compliance. 
SECTION 
2. 
MODERNIZATION FUNDING. – The amount of Five Hundred 
Million Pesos (Php 500,000,000.00) for the operation and administration of the 
Office for Alternative Dispute Resolution (OADR) shall be chargeable against 
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funds for the purpose and other sources recommended by the Department of 
Budget and Management (DBM). Thereafter, appropriations for the Office for 
Alternative Dispute Resolution (OADR) shall be included in the budget 
proposals under the Department of Justice (DOJ). 
 
The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) shall rationalize the existing 
organizational structure and staffing pattern of the Office for Alternative 
Dispute Resolution (OADR) in accordance with the provisions of this Act and 
relevant compensation and position classification laws, rules and regulations. 
Thereafter, the amount needed for the continued implementation of the 
modernization program, shall be included in the annual General Appropriations 
Act (GAA). 
SECTION 
3. 
OFFICE FOR ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION 
(OADR) MODERNIZATION FUND – There is hereby created the (OADR) 
Modernization Fund to be used exclusively for the (OADR) Modernization 
Program. 
The (OADR) Modernization Fund shall be administered by the Secretary of the 
DOJ in accordance with existing government budgeting, accounting and 
auditing rules and regulations. 
SECTION 
4. 
PROGRESS REPORT – The Secretary of DOJ shall 
prepare an annual report on the status of the implementation of the (OADR) 
Modernization Programs which shall be submitted, to the Office of the President 
and to the Chairpersons of the Committee on Justice of the Senate and the House 
of Representatives. 
SECTION 
5. 
PERIOD OF IMPLEMENTATION – The modernization 
program under this Act shall be implemented for an initial period of two (2) 
years:  


Provided, that payments for multi-year contract obligations incurred 
under this Act may extend beyond this period:  
Provided, further, That the Office for Alternative Dispute Resolution 
(OADR) shall continue to develop, modernize and constantly update its 
operational capabilities to keep pace with best global practices. 
SECTION 
6. 
POWERS AND FUNCTIONS. – The Office for Alternative 
Dispute Resolution (OADR) shall continue to exercise and uphold the following 
powers and functions; but not limited to: 
The Office for Alternative Dispute Resolution (OADR) shall strive to be a world-
class, dynamic policy-making body in promoting the effective and ethical use of 
ADR in the country, we commit to: 
a) Deliver quality services relating to promotion, training, 
accreditation and certification, policy and development of ADR 
use in the public and private sectors; 
b) Comply 
with 
applicable 
statutory 
and 
regulatory 
requirements; and 
c) Continually 
improve 
our 
organization's 
systems 
and 
approaches to ensure the highest level of satisfaction of all our 
stakeholders. 
SECTION 
7. 
INCREASE 
OF 
PERSONNEL. – 
The 
Office 
for 
Alternative Dispute Resolution (OADR) shall maintain the sufficient staffing 
pattern. Hence, it is authorized to increase its manpower to meet such required 
and may continue to increase personnel per percentage rate increase of 
committed mandates annually or as the need arises. 
SECTION 
8. 
TRANSITORY 
PROVISION – 
Existing 
industries, 
businesses and offices affected by the implementation of this Act shall be given 


six (6) months transitory period from the effectivity of the IRR or such other 
period as may be determined, to comply with the requirements of this Act. 
SECTION 
9. 
IMPLEMENTING RULES AND REGULATIONS. – The 
departments and agencies charged with carrying out the provisions of this Act 
shall, within sixty (60) days after the effectivity of this Act, formulate the 
necessary rules and regulations for its effective implementation. 
SECTION 
10. 
REPEALING CLAUSE. – All laws, decrees, executive 
orders, rules and regulations, or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions 
of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
SECTION 
11. 
SEPARABILITY CLAUSE. – If, for any reason, any 
section or provision of this Act is held unconstitutional or invalid, the other 
sections or provisions hereof shall not be affected thereby. 
SECTION 
12. 
EFFECTIVITY CLAUSE. – This Act shall take effect 
after fifteen (15) days from its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two 
(2) national newspapers of general circulation whichever comes earlier. 
 
Approved,