%
ff RECEIVED @

20 SEP 2016
a

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Maximo B, Re

| 8660
House Bill No.
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Under Section 21, Article Il of the 1987 Constitution, it is the policy of the State to
promote comprehensive rural development.

On the other hand, paragraph (2), Section 1 of Article XII of the fundamental law of
the land provides that "The State shall promote industrialization and full employment based
on sound agricultural development... through industries that make full and efficient use of
human and natural resources...” Paragraph 3 of the above-mentioned Article likewise states
that ‘in the pursuit of these goals, all regions of the country shall be given an optimum
opportunity to develop"

The geographical location of the Philippines is a focal point for manufacture,
industrial and shipping services considering that it serves as the bridge between Northeast
and Southeast Asia. The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), itself a special economic
and free-port area, is a major center for trade, commerce, manufacture and industry.

Along this line, this bill seeks to establish the legal framework and mechanism for the
integration, coordination and creation of a publishing hub in SBMA. Thus, through the bill, @
special economic zone for the book publishing industry shall be established in SBMA, to be
known as the Philippine Book Publishing Industry Development Center, otherwise known as
the Book City. The Book City shall be allotted a one hundred (100) hectares at SBMA,
located at Olongapo City and Subic, Zambales, the specific metes bound of which shall be
more particularly defined in a presidential proclamation that shall be issued for this purpose.

The Book City is envisioned to house among others the following facilities: (a) The
offices of the National Library; (b) the offices of the National Book Development Board
(NBDB) created under R.A, No, 8047; (c) The Book Development Academy; (d) The Book
Publishing Expo Center; (e) The Book Publishing Convention Center; (f) The Book City
Hostel; (g) The Publishing Recreation Center; (h) The National Paper Recycling Plant; and
(i) The offices, plants and warehouses of the publishers, printers, book traders or booksellers
and other related activities including their bookstores, if any

Through the Book City, it is envisioned that publishing will be an indispensable
element of the national economy and an industry of national interest and importance that
must be harnessed as an engine of socio-economic and industrial growth to provide
investment, foreign exchange and employment, and an enhanced sense of national pride,
for all Filipinos

It must be pointed out that as provided for in Section 2 of R.A. No. 8047, otherwise
known as the Book Publishing Industry Development Act, it is declared as a state policy that
the book publishing industry has a significant role in national development, considering that
books which are its products are instrumental in the citizenry's intellectual, technical and
cultural development — the basic social foundation for the economic and social growth of the
country. Books are the most effective and economical tools for achieving educational growth,


for imparting information and for recording, preserving, and disseminating the nation’s
cultural heritage.

Accordingly, is hereby declared a policy of the State to promote the continuing
development of the book publishing industry, with the active participation of the private
sector, to ensure an adequate supply of affordable quality-produced books not only for the
domestic but also for the export market

Ih pursuance of these policies, this bill encourages, promotes, induces and
accelerates a sound and balanced industrial, economic, and social development of the book
publishing industry in order to make the Philippine publishing industry globally competitive
and world class. Moreover, the establishment of the Book City will provide more jobs to the
people especially those in the rural areas, increase their productivity and their individual and
family income, and thereby improve the level and quality of their living condition through the
establishment, among others, of book publishing development center and through measures
that shall effectively attract legitimate and productive private investments.

It is also envisioned that the Book City reinvigorates the publishing and printing
industries supportive of the global publishing community and those in related industries

Moreover, the establishment of an economic zone devoted to the development of
publishing, printing, and sale of books will also pave the way for the development of
electronic media as well as diversification of the digital publications such as e-book and
interactive CDRoms to spur renewed interest in reading in the next generations.

The Philippines through the representation of Philippine Educational Publishers
Association (PEPA) is a member of the International Publishers Association (IPA), Asia
Pacific Publishers Association (APPA) and Asean Book Publishers Association (ABPA).
Thus, a Book City would facilitate trade relationship among member-countries.

Finally, this bil if quickly passed into law will turn the Philippines into a publishing hub
in Asia and the Pacific Region.

My

MAXIMO B, RODRIGUEZ, JR.

1


SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES }
First Regular Session

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

iced by Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.
House Bill No, 8665

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE LEGAL FRAMEWORK AND MECHANISMS FOR THE CREATION,
OPERATION, ADMINISTRATION, AND COORDINATION OF THE PHILIPPINE BOOK
PUBLISHING INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT CENTER, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE
“BOOK CITY", CREATING FOR THE PURPOSE, THE BOOK PUBLISHING
ENTERPRISE ZONE AUTHORITY (BPEZA) AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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

SECTION 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known and cited as “Book City Act’,
THE POLICY, PURPOSES, INTENTS AND OBJECTIVES

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State that publishing is an
indispensable element of the national economy and an industry of national interest and
importance, such that it must be harnessed as an engine of socio-economic and industrial
growth to provide investment, foreign exchange and employment, and an enhanced sense of
national pride, for all Filipinos.

It is recognized that the book publishing industry has a significant role in national
development, considering that books which are the book publishing industry has a significant
role in national development, considering that books which are its products are instrumental
in the citizenry's intellectual, technical and
cultural development — the basic social foundation for the economic and social growth of the
country, Books are the most effective and economical tools for achieving educational growth,
for imparting information and for recording, preserving, and disseminating the nation’s
cultural heritage

Accordingly, is hereby declared a policy of the State to promote the continuing
development of the book publishing industry, with the active participation of the private
sector, to ensure an adequate supply of affordable quality-produced books not only for the
domestic but also for the export market.

In pursuance of these policies, this bill encourages, promotes, induces and
accelerates a sound and balanced industrial, economic, and social development of the book
publishing industry in order to make the Philippine publishing industry globally competitive
and world class. Moreover, the establishment of the Book City will provide more jobs to the
people especially those in the rural areas, increase their productivity and their individual and
family income, and thereby improve the level and quality of their living condition through the
establishment, among others, of book publishing development center and through measures
that shall effectively attract legitimate and productive private investments,

SEC. 3. Purposes, intents and Objectives. — It is the purpose, intent and objective of this
Act

(a) To establish the legal framework and mechanism for the Integration, coordination
and creation of a publishing hub in SBMA;


(b) To encourage the transfer and/or putting up of offices, establishments and plants
engaged in the book publishing industry and related business or activities in the
Book City, where highly trained workers and efficient services will be available
not only for domestic enterprises but also for international enterprises;

(c) To promote the flow of investors, both local and foreign, into publishing industry
which would generate employment opportunities and establish backward and
forward linkages among industries in and around the Book City;

(d) To stimulate the repatriation of Filipino capital by providing attractive climate and
incentives for publishing business activity;

(e) To promote financial and industrial cooperation between the Philippines and
industrialized countries, particularly the Asia Pacific through technology transfer
and investment in the publishing industry that will modernize the country’s
publishing sector and improve productivity levels by utilizing new technological
and managerial know-how and become globally competitive; and

(f) To vest the special publishing economic zones on certain areas thereof with the
status of a separate customs territory within the framework of the Constitution
and the national sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Philippines

SEC. 4, Definition of Terms. — For purposes of this Act, the following definitions

shall apply to the following terms:

(a) Book City — refers to the special economic zone for the book publishing industry
created in Section 5 of this Act.

(b) Book Development — refers to a condition not only for having more output in book
production and development but also different kinds of outputs that were
previously produced, as well as changes in the technical and institutional
arrangements by which output is produced and distributed.

(c) Book Publishing — refers to process of choosing and making books dealing with
everything known to the human spirit philosophy, religious beliefs, intellectual
ideas, the physical world, all the arts and the sciences.

(d) Publishing Special Economic Zones — refers to the one hundred (100) hectares at
Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, located at Olongapo City, Subic, Zambales and
Bataan, allotted for the Philippine Book Publishing Industry Development Center,
under Sections 5 and 6 of this Act.

(e) Publishing Export Processing Zone —~ refers to a specialized industrial estate
locates physically and/or administratively outside customs territory, predominantly
oriented to export production, Enterprises located in export processing zones are
allowed to import capital equipment and raw materials free from duties, taxes and
other import restrictions

(f) Related Activities ~ refers to the domestic manufacturing industries which have
direct bearing on the long-term viability of the book publishing industry.

THE BOOK CITY

SEC. 5. Creation of the Book City. — In pursuant of the foregoing declared policies,

there is hereby established a special economic zone for the book publishing industry in

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), to be known as the Philippine Book Publishing

Industry Development Center, otherwise and herein known as the Book City. The Book City

shall be allotted a one hundred (100) hectares at SBMA, located at Olongapo City and

Subic, Zambales and Bataan, the specific metes bound of which shall be more particularly
defined in a presidential proclamation that shall be issued for this purpose.

SEC. 6. The Book City. - The Book City is envisioned to house among others the
following facilities: (a) The offices of the National Library; (b) the offices of the National Book
Development Board (NBDB) created under R.A. No. 8047; (c) The Book Development
Academy; (d) The Book Publishing Expo Center; (e) The Book Publishing Convention
Center; (f) The Book City Hostel; (g) The Publishing Recreation Center; (h) The National


Paper Recycling Plant; and (i) The offices, plants and warehouses of the publishers, printers,
book traders or booksellers and other related activities including their bookstores, if any

THE BOOK PUBLISHING ENTERPRISE ZONE AUTHORITY
SEC. 7. The Book Publishing Enterprise Zone Authority. - Attached for purposes
of policy coordination and administrative supervision to the Department of Trade and
Industry, shall be a body corporate known as the Book Publishing Enterprise Zone Authority
(BPEZA), which shall own, manage, or supervise the Book City established under this Act,
and its principal office shall be located at SBMA, Olongapo City, Subic, Zambales and
Bataan,

SEC. 8. Administration. - The BPEZA shall be governed by a Bpard of Directors
(the “BPEZA Board’), composed of eleven (11) directors, five ex-officio members
representing the Government and six (6) directors, coming from the private sector as follows

a) The five (5) ex-officio members are (i) Undersecretary for Tourism Development of
the Department of Tourism: (ii) the Administrator of the Book Publishing Enterprise Authority
(BPEZA); (lil) the Undersecretary for Plans and Programs of the Department of Public Works
(DPWH); (iv) the Undersecretary for Plans and Programs of the Department of Interior and
Local Government (DILG); and (v) the Undersecretary of the Department of Trade and
Industry

b) Six (6) directors to be appointed by the President of the Philippines from the
nominees of (i) the Philippine Educational Publishers Association (PEPA), representing the
book publishers: (ii) the Book Printers Association of the Philippines (BPAP), representing
the printers; (iii) the National Book Suppliers Association of the Philippines (NBSP),
representing the book supplier; (iv) the Legal Writers Association of the Philippines,
representing the writers and authors; (v) the Philippine Book Federation (PhilBook),
representing the related activities and players in the publishing industry; (vi) Book Exporters
Association of the Philippines (BEAP), representing the book exporters and traders.

The appointed directors must be Filipino, engaged in the management of business in
the sectors they represent for at least (10) years, except in the case of the author or writer
who must be recognized author or writer for at least five (5) years and have demonstrable
expertise in their respective industries or sectors

The appointed directors shall serve for a term of four (4) years with one re-
appointment.

The appointed directors including the designated ex-officio members shall elect
among them a Chairperson, preferably coming from the private sector, while the Vice-
Chairperson, shall come from a government representative

The BPEZA’s powers, business and property shall be exercised, conducted and held
by the BPEZA Board. The BPEZA Chairperson shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the
Board while the BPEZA Administrator shall implement the actions required by the BPEZA in
her/his capacity as the chief operating officer.

SEC. 9, BPEZA Administrator. ~ The BPEZA shall have an Administrator who must
be a Filipino, must be at least thirty five (35) years of age and not more than fifty-five (55) at
the time of the appointment, have a postgraduate degree in business, law, tourism or public
administration, and have demonstrated expertise in any of those fields. He/she must have
been engaged in a managerial capacity for at least five (5) years prior to hisher
appointment.

SEC. 10. Meetings of the Board. - The BPEZA Board shall meet at least once a
month at the BPEZA’s principal office unless the BPEZA Board had previously agreed in
writing to meet at another location


SEC. 11. General Powers and Functions of the BPEZA. — The 8PEZA Board shall
have the general powers of a body corporate, which includes the power of succession, to
sue and be sued in such corporate name, to acquire, hold and dispose of real and personal
property, to adopt, amend and repeal it by laws, and to enter into contracts of every kind. In
Telation to its functions, it shall also specifically have the power to

(g) Enter into, make, perform and carry out contracts of every class, kind, description
which are necessary or incidental to the realization of its purposes with any
person, firm or corporation, private or public, and with foreign government
entities

(h) Contract loans, indebtedness and credit, issue commercial papers and bonds, in
any local and or convertible foreign currency from any international financial
institutions, foreign government entities, and local or foreign private commercial
banks or similar institutions under terms and conditions prescribed by law, rules
and regulations;

(i) Execute any deed of guarantee, mortgage, pledge, trust or assignment of any
property for the purpose of financing the programs and projects deemed vital for
the early attainment of its goals and objectives, subject to the provisions of Article
Vil, Section 20 and Article XII, Section 2, paragraphs (4) and (5) of the
Constitution;

()) Construct, own, lease, operate and maintain public utilities as well as
infrastructure faclities;

(k) Receive donations, grants, bequests and assistance of all kinds from local and
foreign governments and private sectors and utilize the same;

(I). Exercise eminent domain,

(m) Develop policies, plans and programs for submission to the Board for the
development and operation of the Book City:

(n) Register, regulate and monitor enterprises in BPEZA:

(0) Coordinate with local government units and exercise general supervision over the
development, plans, and activities and operations of the BPEZA: and

(p) Review proposal for the establishment of other BPEZA, whenever feasible, in
other regions or cities throughout the country.

The BPEZA shall be deemed a government infrastructure corporation under the

provisions of the Administrative Code of 1987 (Executive Order No. 292, Book IV, Chapter
13, Section 58),

SEC. 12, Powers and Functions of the BPEZA Administrator. — The BPEZA
Administrator shall coordinate the policies, plans and programs concerning BPEZA. As such,
he or she shall provide overall supervision over and general direction to the development of
BPEZA, He or she shall determine the structure and the staffing pattern and personnel
complement of the BPEZA and establish offices, when necessary, all subject to the approval
of the BPEZA Board.

In addition, he or she shall have the following specific powers and responsibilities

a, Coordinate with the Philippine National Police in safeguarding all lands, buildings,
records, monies, credits and other properties and rights of investors within the
BPEZA:

b. Ensure that all revenues of the BPEZA are collected and applied in accordance
with the law:

c. Submit to the Board the ongoing and proposed projects, work and financial
programs, annual budget of receipts, and expenditures of the BPEZA;

d, Acquire jurisdiction, as he or she may deem proper, over the protest, complaints,
and claims of the residents and enterprises in a BPEZA concerning
administrative matters;

e. Recommend to the Chairperson the grant, approval, refusal, amendment or
termination of the BPEZA franchises, licenses, permits, contracts, and
agreements in accordance with the policies set by the BPEZA;


1. Require owners of houses, buildings, or other structures constructed without the
necessary permit whether constructed on public or private lands, to remove or
demolish such houses, buildings, structures within sixty (60) days after notice and
upon failure of such owner to remove or demolish such house, building, structure
within said period, the BPEZA Administrator or his/her authorized representative
may summarily cause its removal or demolition at the expense of the owner, any
existing law, decree, executive order and other issuances or part thereof to the
contrary withstanding;

g. Subject to the approval of the Chairperson of the BPEZA, issue rules and
regulations to implement the provisions of this Act

SEC. 13. Capitalization. - The national government shall appropriate the sum of
Five Hundred Million Pesos for the capitalization of the BPEZA.

SEC. 14. Registration. - Business enterprises within the Book City shall register
with them BPEZA to avail of all incentives and benefits provided for in this Act.

SEC. 15. Civil Dispute Resolution. - The BPEZA shall establish a civil dispute
mediation office to assist in the resolution of civil disputes within the Book City where one of
the parties to the dispute is a non-resident alien, No civil dispute in a BPEZA involving a non-
resident alien may be filed in court without having undergone mediation proceedings under
this Section. The BPEZA shall charge reasonable fees for civil dispute mediation

SEC. 16. Labor Dispute Resolution. — To resolve disputes between workers and
employers for any violation of the Labor Code (Presidential Decree No. 442, as amended),
the BPEZA shall establish a labor dispute resolution office to mediate between workers and
employers. The BPEZA shall charge reasonable fees for labor dispute resolution

th order to promote a stable investment climate and realizing the critical role
publishing industry plays in the Philippine economy, employees and enterprises operating
within the Zone shall be prohibited from engaging in strikes or strike-related activity within
five years from the establishment of the enterprise.

The Department of Labor and Employment and the National Labor Relations
Commission shall not acquire jurisdiction over any complaints arising from a violation of the
Labor Code or its rules and regulations from an enterprises locates and operating within a
Book City unless such a complaint has undergone labor dispute resolution with the BPEZA.

SEC. 17. One-Stop Shop Processing. - At the Book City, the BPEZA shall
establish an office where an investor or enterprise or company can obtain all necessary
permits and licenses from all national and local government offices. All government agencies
shall assign representatives at Book City to coordinate with the BPEZA for the issuances of
such permits and licenses.

SEC. 18. Privately-owned Companies at BPEZA. ~ Privately owned corporations
and companies at Book City shall operate autonomously and independently of the BPEZA,
but shall nevertheless be monitored by the BPEZA for the implementation of incentives

BPEZA INVESTMENT INCENTIVES

SEC. 19, Fiscal and Non-Fiscal Incentives. - Importations of capital goods into the
Book City for the use by a BPEZA registered enterprises within the City shall be imported
without duties; Provided that no importations of foreign capital goods shall be allowed where
competitive products with significant Philippine component are available in the domestic
market

Purchase of local goods and services by BPEZA registered enterprises for use within
the Book City shall be value-added tax zero-rated


BPEZA registered enterprises shall be entitled to an income tax holiday for five years
from the start of its operations. Such income tax holiday may be extended for up to an
additional five years if the BPEZA registered enterprise undertakes a major expansion or
upgrade of its facilities. The additional facilities shall be computed in proportion of the cost of
the expansion or upgrade in relation to the total assets of the enterprise

After the expiration of the income tax holiday, BPEZA registered enterprises shall
also be entitled, in lieu of all national and local taxes, a tax on gross income at a rate of two
percent to three percent (2 to 3%), depending on the amount of investment and the number
of persons employed,

One-third of the proceeds of such tax shall be remitted to the affected local
governments, one-sixth to the Book Academy for its administrative operations, one-sixth to
BPEZA, one-sixth shall be remitted to the national government and the remaining one-sixth
shall be placed in the Book Academy Trust Fund to be used specifically for the support and
promotion of Filipino authors and editors especially in science and technology, literature and
in subject areas wherein locally authored books are either few or non-existent

Likewise, BPEZA registered enterprises shall be entitled to avail of preferential rates
for power, water and other public utilities for industrial consumers.

The BPEZA in conjunction with the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and the Bureau
of Customs shall promulgate rules and regulations for the implementation of this provision

SEC. 20. Profit Remittance. - Without prior approval from the Bangko Sentral ng
Pilipinas (BSP), after tax profits and other earnings of foreign investments in enterprises in
the Zone may be remitted outward in the equivalent foreign exchange through any of the
banks licensed by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas in the Book City provided such foreign
investments in said enterprises have been previously registered with the BSP.

SEC. 21. Lease of Land. — Consistent with the provisions of the Investor's Lease Act
(Republic Act No. 7652), lands and buildings in the Book City may be leased to foreign
investors for a period not exceeding fifty (50) years, renewable once for a period of not more
than twenty-five (25) years. The leasehold right acquired under long-term contracts may be
sold, transferred or assigned, subject to the conditions set forth under the Investor's Lease
Act

SEC. 22. Visa Privileges. - Any investor within the Book City whose initial
investment shall not be less than one hundred thousand dollars and his/her spouse and
dependent children under twenty-one years of age shall be granted permanent resident
status

The BPEZA shall issue working visas renewable every two years to foreign
executives and other aliens, possessing highly-technical skills which no Filipino within the
Book City possesses, as certified by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). The
names of aliens granted permanent resident status and working visas by the BPEZA shall be
reported to the Bureau of Immigration within thirty (30) days after issuance thereof.

THE BOOK ACADEMY

SEC. 23. Book Academy. - There shall be established a Book Academy of the
Philippines, hereinafter referred to as the Academy to be headed by an Executive Director,
who shall be appointed by the President of the Philippines to be chosen from the list of
nominees submitted and recommended by the duly recognized and accredited publishing
associations.

The Academy shall be adequately staffed with qualified technical and administrative
personnel.

SEC. 24. Functions of the Academy. — The Academy shall have the following
functions:


(a) Maintain, develop and implement a continuing program of book writing
publishing, editing, compiling, book selling and training career training and
development;

(b) Formulate programs and conduct trainings for writers, authors, publishers,
editors, compilers, book sellers and traders;

(c) Provide for the training and development of workers in the publishing industry, in
cooperation with TESDA, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and state
universities and colleges and the private sector;

(d) Conduct workshops, seminars, conferences for various associations involved in
the book publishing industry domestically and internationally;

(@) Source out scholarship programs, grants and other incentives for personnel
development;

(f) Conduct continuing studies and researches necessary for career development,
and

(g) Perform such other functions as may be necessary to carry out the objectives of
the Act.

SEC. 25. Academy Trust Fund. - A Book Academy Trust Fund is hereby
established exclusively for the support and promotion of Filipino authors and editors
especially in science and technology, literature and in subject areas wherein locally authored
books are either few or non-existent

SEC. 26. Sources of Fund. - The contribution of the Fund shall be sourced from

government and private sectors as follows

(a) The amount of Fifty Million Pesos (Php50,000,000.00) shall be taken from the
Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) fund at five million
pesos (Php5,000,000.00) per month for ten (10) months.

(b) Another amount of Fifty Million Pesos (Php50,000,000.00) shall be taken from the
Philippine Charity Sweeptakes Office (PCSO) at five million pesos
(Php5,000,000,00) per month for ten (10) months.

(c) The private portion of the fund shall be raised from donations and other
conveyances including funds, materials, property and services, by gratuitous title

Provided, however, that, the interest drawn from the Fund shall be awarded only after

one (1) year from the organization of the Fund, and the grants shall be awarded equitably
among the authors based on their regional residence or domicile

SEC. 27. Other Sources of Fund and Incentive. — Government-owned and
controlled corporations (GOCCS) are hereby authorized to give grants to the Fund at their
discretion, but not to exceed fifteen percent (15%) of their unimpaired surplus.

Contribution to the Fund shall be deductible for income tax purposes in accordance
with the provision of Section 29 (h) (A) of Republic Act No, 8424, otherwise known as the
National Internal Revenue Code.

SEC. 28. Management of the Fund. - The Book Academy Trust Fund shall be
administered by the Book Academy Trust Fund Board composed of the Chairperson of the
BPEZA or its representative as Chairperson, and the Executive Director of the Book
Academy and well-known and recognized author, to be chosen from a list of nominees duly
recognized and accredited associations of Filipino authors to be appointed by the President
of the Philippines, as members.

For the sound and judicious management of the Fund, the Trust Fund Board shall
appoint a government financial institution as portfolio manager of the Fund, subject to the
guidelines promulgated by the Board.


SEC. 29. Guidelines on the Use of the Fund, ~ The Book Academy Trust Fund
Board shall prepare the implementing guidelines and decision-making mechanisms, subject
to the following:
(a) Unless otherwise stipulated by the private donor, only eamings of private
contribution shall be used for grants;
(b) No part of the seed capital of the Fund, including earnings thereof, shall be used
to underwrite overhead expenses for administration;
(c) There shall be an external auditor to perform an annual audit of the Fund's
performance; and
(d) The Fund shall be exempt from pre-audit by the Commission on Audit

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

SEC. 30. Education in Publishing Industry. ~ The BPEZA shall work closely with
the Department of Education (DepEd) for the development of educational programs for
primary and secondary levels that assist in the creation of culture and habit of reading,
specifically through the enhancement and production of educational materials on literature,
history and culture, language and science and technology

The BPEZA shall also work closely with the Commission on Higher Education
(CHED) on the regulation of colleges and universities that grant undergraduate and
postgraduate degrees in publishing

The Technical Education Skills Development Authority (TESDA) is hereby mandated
to develop programs that foster the development of skills of personnel engaged in book
publishing industry through in-service training programs and formal degree and non-degree
book publishing courses.

SEC. 31, Relationship with Economic Zone. - The BPEZA in coordination with the
SBMA and the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) shall promulgate rules and
regulations to govern relationship between the BPEZA created under this Act, and economic
zones created under Republic Act No. 7227, 7916, as amended, where the area comprising
the economic zone overlaps, falls within or encompasses that of an economic zone,
provided, that such rules and regulations shall consider the special nature and requirements
of the Book City in relation to other industries, establishments and operations in economic
zones.

SEC. 32. Other Investment Incentives. — The investment incentives offered under
this Act, shall be without prejudice to the availment of other incentives provided under
Republic Act No, 8047, otherwise known ad the Book Industry Development Act and other
ules and regulations issued and promulgated by the National Book Development Board
(NBDB) pursuant to said Act, other laws, decrees or issuances provide for similar or identical
benefits, the beneficiary may elect to avail of the benefit provided under only one particular
law, decree or issuance

SEC. 33. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The BPEZA in close
coordination and consultation with the private sector, and other concemed government
agencies shall issue guidelines and prescribe rules and regulations for the effective
implementation of the provisions of this Act, within ninety (90) days after the effectivity of this
Act which shall be published in two newspapers of general circulation. A copy of such
guidelines, rules and regulations shall be furnished the Congress of the Philippines

SEC. 34. Separability Clause. - Any portion of this Act that may be declared
unconstitutional shall not have the effect of nullifying other portions or provisions thereof as
long as such remaining portions or provisions can still subsist and be given in their entirety.


SEC. 35. Repealing Clause. ~ All jaw, orders, decrees, rules and regulations, and
other issuances, or part thereof, inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed or modified
accordingly.

SEC. 36. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its
publication in a newspaper of general circulation

Approved,