FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
Senate Bill N o . L X 9  
INTRODUCED BY SEN. MANNY VILLAR 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The national government has been pursuing the policy of streamlining the 
bureaucracy by promoting effective governance and simplifying governmental 
procedures. Under the said policy, public entities performing similar functions are either 
abolished, or being studied for merger or consolidated as one unified body for purposes 
of economy and better public service. 
This legislation is in accord with the said policy. Through fiat (Executive Order 
No. 565, as amended by EO 133), the Bonded Export Marketing Board (BEMB) of the 
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is accorded the power to adopt appropriate 
approaches and services in line with the national export strategy by encouraging and 
promoting investments directed at expanding local manufacturing base through the 
bonded export manufacturing facilities. On the other hand, the Board of Investments 
(BOI) is mandated under EO 226, the Omnibus Investments Act, to regulate and 
promote investments in the Philippines. With this legislative measure, the BEMB is 
hereby merged with the BO1 for purposes of streamlining governmental functions is 
hereby merged with the BO1 for purposes of streamlining governmental function and of 
evolving a single body to undertake export and investments promotions. 
The restructuring shall be effected within the realm of Civil Service Law, 
particularly the recognition of security of tenure. Under the proposed merger, the BO1 
shall assume the regular functions of the BEMB including the formulation of investments 
promotion strategies through a focused and integrated approach to promote sector 
specific, country specific investments and the provision for assistance and support 
through joint venture matching and identify possible sites for the project and bonded 
warehouse. Likewise, it shall establish networking system with different government 
agencies, industry organizations, and the private sector to better implement export and 
trade strategy. 
Early cognizance of this bill is earnestly sought. 


FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
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S E N A T E  
Senate Bill No. __ 
1899 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. MANNY VILLAR 
AN ACT 
MERGING THE BONDED EXPORT MARKETING BOARD OF THE DEPARTMENT 
OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY WITH THE BOARD OF INVESTMENTS, 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be if enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines 
in Congress assembled: 
Section 1. Declaration of Purpose---The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) 
pursues the government the policy of promoting effective bureaucracy by reorganizing 
the Department through the merger of the functions of several agencies attached to it. 
Agencies of DTI performing similar functions of promoting investments and export 
promotions are merged in one unified body for purposes of economy and better public 
service. 
Section 2. Merger of the Bonded Exporf Marketing Board and the Board of 
Investments---Subject to the provisions of the Civil Service Law, rules and regulations, 
the Bonded Export Marketing Board (BEMB), an attached agency of the DTI is hereby 
merged with the Board of Investments (BOI) for purposes of streamlining government 
functions and of evolving unified body to undertake export and investments promotions. 
Section 3. Transfer of Functions---Under the merger, BO1 shall assume the 
regular functions of the BEMB, including but not limited to the following: 
a. Formulate investment promotion strategies through a focused and integrated 
approach to promote sector specific, country specific investments; 
b. Provide assistance and support through joint venture matching and identifying 
possible sites for the project and bonded warehouse; 
c. Provide technical assistance and logistic support to organized missions in 
coordination with the BO1 Industry Planning Group; 
d. Conduct investment promotion activities such as outbound/inbound missions, 
seminars, participation in fairs and other similar activities; and 
e. Establish networking with different government agencies, industry organizations, 
embassies, private sector institutions and other similar bodies. 
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Section 4. Transfer of Assets, Liabilities, Properties and Functions--- All 
functions, assets, liabilities, record, appropriations, properties, facilities and equipment 
of the BEMB are hereby transferred to the BOI. 
Section 5. Transfer, Absorption and/or Separation of BEMB Personnel---BEMB 
personnel shall, in a holdover capacity, continue to perform their respective duties and 
responsibilities and receive the corresponding salaries and benefits; Provided, That any 
personnel, whose position is not included in BOl’s new position structure and staffing 
pattern approved and prescribed by the DTI Secretary and who is not reappointed, shall 
be deemed separated from the service and shall be entitled to the benefits provided 
under existing laws, rules and regulations. 
Section 6. New Structure and Functions-- The new position structures and 
staffing pattern of the Board of Investments carrying out the functions of BEMB shall be 
approved and prescribed by the DTI Secretary within one hundred twenty (120) days 
from the enactment of this law, and the authorized positions created shall be filled with 
regular appointments made by the BO1 Governing Board or the President, as the case 
may be. 
Appropriations--- Pending the effectivity of this Act, the amount 
necessary to carry out this merger shall be charged against the current fiscal year 
appropriations of the Department of Trade and Industry. Thereafter, such sums as may 
be necessary in the BO1 operation and the performance of the additional functions 
provided herein shall be included as augmentation top the regular budget of the Board 
of Investment under the General Appropriations Act. 
Section 8. Separability Clause---- If, for any reason, any section or provision of 
this Act shall be declared unconstitutional, other provisions hereof shall not be affected 
and shall remain in full force and effect. 
Section 7. 
Section 9. Repealing Clause- All laws, issuances, decrees or parts thereof 
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed. 
Section I O .  Effectivity Clause- This Act shall take effect upon its approval. 
Approved, 
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