Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House pi.no,_ 3762

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Our Constitution provides that the State shall promote industrialization
and full employment based on sound agricultural development and agrarian
reform, through industries that make full and efficient use of human and
natural resources, and which are competitive in both domestic and foreign
markets. In the pursuit of these goals, all sectors of the economy and all regions
of the country shall be given optimum opportunity to develop. Private
enterprises, including corporations, cooperatives, and similar collective

organizations, shall be encouraged to broaden the base of their ownership.

This bill provides for the creation of Northern Quezon Development
Authority (NQDA) which will pave the way for the gradual development of the
long neglected eastern costal towns of the first congressional district of
Quezon. The bill likewise intends to create an institutional machinery to ensure
an effective ecologic and economic management of the northern part of the
Province of Quezon specifically the municipalities surrounding the upper
portion (northern) of Lamon Bay areas.

Northern Lamon Bay is a vast body of water consisting Lamon Bay and
part of the Pacific Ocean encompassing the five (5) island-municipalities in the
first district of Quezon (northern Quezon), it is a rich fishing ground that

supply substantially marine and fish requirements of Southern Tagalog Region


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and Metro Manila. Apart from having a rich marine life and other aquatic
resources, four coastal towns of General Nakar, Infanta, Real and Mauban,
Quezon, cover large area of forest lands rich in wild flora and fauna, animals,
forest and fruit trees and a watershed area supply supporting existing and
proposed hydroelectric power plants, domestic water supply and irrigation
works.

The Northern Quezon is also in a strategic location ideal for harbor and
port development in the pacific side of the country. This key geographic
location underscores its potential to be a major transshipment point and
center of trade in the northern Pacific Rim. Furthermore, thru Infanta-Marikina
Road, imported and local products can easily reach Metro Manila hence it will

play a significant role in trade and economic activities of the country.

Yet despite its strategic location to facilitate economic development, its
potential is however, not actualized. There is a lack of industrial progress in the
aforementioned coastal towns and island-municipalities. There is no known
development plan for the whole of the northern part of Quezon. Development
Plans are still in the municipal level. Integrated and sustainable plan needs to

be drawn and implemented in the area if real development is to be achieved.

The Northern Quezon Development Authority (NQDA) will promote
the socio-economic development of Quezon first district through a holistic and
integrative coordination of all active sectors in the area. This agency will
oversee the general development of the area and will create a framework that

will facilitate economic progress and ecological preservation.

In order to effect a serious and comprehensive long-term program for

socio- economic development, commensurate to the demands of time, the
passage of this measure is earnestly sought.

ANNA KAT! wa RCA


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS:
First Regular Session

3762

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Rep. Anna Katina M. Ewwerga

AN ACT CREATING NORTHERN QUEZON DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY IN THE
PROVINCE OF QUEZON AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

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

Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. - Title - This Act shall be known as the “Northern Quezon

Development Authority Act of 2016”.

SEC. 2 . - Creation of Northern Quezon Development Authority. -The
Northern Quezon Development Authority (NQDA), hereinafter referred to as the
Authority, is hereby created which shall promote, coordinate, and facilitate the active
and extensive participation of all sectors to effect the socio-economic development of

the northern area in the first congressional district of Quezon province.

SEC..
Mauban, Infanta, Real, General Nakar, Polillo, Burdeos, Panukulan, Patnanungan and

- Coverage. -The Authority shall cover all the municipalities of

Jomalig, Quezon,

SEC. 4, - Principal Office and Term, -The Authority shall have its main
office at Real, Quezon. It may establish Area Management Offices (AMOS) as it may

deem necessary to achieve the objectives of this Act. The Authority shall have a term of


fifty (50) years from the effectivity of this Act and renewable for the same period

unless otherwise provided by law.

SEC. 5. Powers and Functions of Authority. The Authority shall have the

following powers and functions:

(a) Formulate an integrated development framework for the area;

(b) Integrate, prioritize and program area-wide specific programs, activities
and projects with province-wide impact;

(c) Promote and facilitate investments in any field which would enhance the
socio-economic development of the area and uplift the living standards
of the people and their socio-political activities in close coordination
with agencies primarily mandated to undertake such function;

(d) Explore sources for financing priority programs, projects and activities;

(e) Coordinate and facilitate the extension of necessary planning
management and technical assistance to prospective and existing
investors, complementary and in support of agencies primarily
mandated to execute such functions;

(f) Establish comprehensive and integrated databases on necessary for
planning and decision-making;

(g) Monitor, evaluate and formulate recommendations on the
implementation of area wide and/or specific inter-agency development
programs, activities and projects;

(h) Act

accomplishment of province and region-wide programs and project

s the implementing agency, whenever necessary, for the

including Official Development Assistance (ODA) projects, subject to

such limitations prescribed by exi

ing laws, rules, and regulations;

(i) Receive and administer donations, contributions, grants, bequest or gifts
in cash or in kind from foreign governments, international agencies,
private entities, and other sources, including Official Development
Assistance (ODA) agencies, for purposes that would contribute to the
development of Northern Quezon , subject to existing laws, rules and

regulations;


(j) To sue and be sued, enter into contracts, acquire, purchase, hold, lease,
transfer, and dispose of property of any kind or nature necessary to
carry out the purposes of this Act;

(k) Discharge other functions which may be deemed necessary or as may be
provided by law.

(1) Submit to the President and both Houses of Congress annual reports on
its accomplishments and activities.

(m) Receive and administer donations, contributions, grants, bequest or gifts
in cash or in kind from foreign governments, international agencies,
private entities, and other sources, including Official Development
Assistance (ODA) agencies, for purposes that would contribute to the
development of the area, subject to existing laws, rules and regulations;

(n) To sue and be sued, enter into contracts, acquire, purchase, hold, lease,
transfer, and dispose of property of any kind or nature necessary to
carry out the purposes of this Act;

(0) Discharge other functions which may be deemed necessary or as may

be provided by law.

SEC. 6 . Board of Directors - The affairs and business of the Authority shall

be directed and its properties managed and preserved by a Board of Directors to be
composed of the Regional Director of the National Economic Development Authority

(NEDA) as the ex-officio Chairman, and the following as Members,:

1) The Administrator of the Authority;

2) Regional Director of the Department of Trade and Industry (DT!) - ex-
officio Member;

3) Regional Director of the Department of the Public Works and Highways
(DPWH) - ex-officio Member;

4) Regional Director of the Department of Tourism (DOT) ~ ex-officio
Member;

5) Regional Director of Department of Agriculture (DA) - ex-officio
Member;

6) Regional Director of Department of Environment and Natural Resources

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(DENR) - ex-officio Member;

7) Administrator of National Electrification Administration (NEA) ~ ex-
officio Member;

8) General Manager of Philippine Port Authority- ex-officio Member;

9) Representative, First District of Quezon ~ ex-officio Member;

10) Provincial Governor, Quezon Province - ex-officio Member;

11) Municipal Mayors of Municipalities of Mauban, Infanta, Real, General
Nakar, Polillo, Burdeos, Panukulan, Patnanungan, and Jomalig, Quezon; -
ex-officio Members;

12) Three (3) other members representing the private sector to be
appointed by the President, who shall serve for a term of five (5) years
unless sooner removed for cause: Provided, That the person appointed
shall be of good moral character, of unquestionable integrity, of known
probity and patriotism, and with experience and expertise in
management, business, finance and the professions, and preferably
coming from the First District of Quezon.

13)Three (3) Representatives from Non Government Organizations (NGOs)
in the area with proven track record in advocacy and program
management in agriculture, fisheries, environmental protection, marine

resources, rural development and trade and industries.

The ex-officio members of the Board may designate their representatives to
the Authority. The decisions of the Board shall be made by a vote of the majority of all
its members, The Chairman of the Board shall preside over meetings of the Board of

Directors.

SEC. 7. Board Meetings. - The Board of Directors shall meet preferably at its
principal office, at least once a month, and as frequently as necessary to discharge its
duties and responsibilities. The Board shall be convened by the Chairman or upon

written request singed by majority of the members.


SEC. 8 Powers and Functions of the Board. - The Board of Directors of the
Authority shall have the following powers and functions and duties.

(1) Provide direction and guidance for the Authority's work and thrusts;

(2) Ensure that the goals and policies of the Authority are consistent with the
overall national development goals and objectives;

(3) Ensure that the programs of the Authority are consistent with regional
and local development plans, program and projects, and vice versa for
purposes of harmonization;

(4) Explore sources for financing of priority plans, programs, projects and
activities;

(5) Create committees/task forces as may be deemed necessary in the
accomplishments of its duties and fiinctions;

(6) Determine schedules; establish voting procedures, criteria for the
constitution ofa quorum, and other des and regulations in the conduct of
Board meetings;

(7) To prepare and approve a ten (10) year and a five (5) year development
plan, and review and expedite the execution of these plans when
necessary;

(8) To appoint and discipline any employee, after according them due process
in accordance with existing laws, together with the rules and regulations of
the Civil Service Commission;

(9) To elect from among the members of the Board of Directors the following
Executive officers: 1) President/Chairman of the Board, 2) Vice-
Pres/Vice- Chairman of the Board ,3) Secretary. Provided That, the Board
shall likewise have the corresponding power to replace any the board or
for acts prejudicial to the objectives of the Authority;

(10) To screen and approve the appointment of the following : General
Manager, Assistant General Manager, and other key officials of the
Authority;

(11) To request a periodic or special audit of all its funds and properties from

the Commission on Audits when the need arises;


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(12) To adopt a seal and flag which is judicial noticed, determine the exact
location of its office preferably near its area of operation and adopt its,
‘own rules and procedure in meetings and general assemblies in
accordance with the standards of transparency and democratic
parliamentary procedures;

(13) To recommend to Congress, the NEDA and other government agencies
the passage of laws and other rules and regulation in order to carry out
the objectives of the Authority;

(14) To exercise such powers and perform such functions which are proper
and necessary to implement the objectives of the Authority and to carry

out provisions of this act.

SEC. 9. Terms of Office of the General Manager. - The General Manager of
the Authority shall serve for a fixed term of four (4) years, unless removed from office

by a vote of two-thirds of the Board of Directors.

SEC. 10. Residence and Prohibition. - The General Manager shall, if

practicable, establish his residence within the first congressional district of Quezon.

He/She shall not, during his/her tenure of office, engage in any business, profession, or
calling other than those connected with the performance of his/her official duties as

the General Manager of the Authority.

SEC.11. Power and Duties of the General Manager. - The General Manager

shall have the following powers and functions:

a, Submit, for the consideration of the Board, the policies and measures which
he believes to be necessary to carry out the purposes and provisions of this
Act,

b. Execute and administer the policies, plans, programs and projects
approved by the Board,
¢. Direct and supervise the operations and internal administration of the

Authority. The General Manager may delegate some of his administration


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responsibilities to other officers of the Authority subject to the rules and
regulations of the Board,

d. Prepare the annual budget of the Authority for consideration of the
Board,

. Submit, within thirty (30) days after the close of each fiscal year an
annual report to the Board and such other reports as may be required,
and

£. Exercise such other powers as may be vested in him by the Board.

SEC. 12. Appropriations - The amount necessary to carry out the provisions
of this Act shall be included in the General Appropriation Act of the year following its

enactment into law and thereafter.

SEC. 13. Repealing Clause. -All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and
regulations, or parts thereof inconsistent with or contrary to the provisions of this Act

are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
SEC. 14. Separability Clause. -If any part or provision of this Act is held
unconstitutional or invalid, other parts or provisions thereof, which are not affected,

shall continue to remain in full force and effect.

SEC. 15. Effectivity. -This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following

completion of its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

APPROVED,