THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF T!-IE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. MANNY VILLAR 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
There is an urgent and imperative necessity to formulate and implement a sound 
and effective solution to the problem of red tape in the government service. This problem 
is like a cancerous disease from which the government and our people have suffered for 
so long that sometimes it is beginning to look as if it were permanent condition of life in 
this part of the world and there is simply nothing that can be done about it except 
perhaps to resign ourselves to the tremendous waste of valuable economic resources 
and opportunities, to the corruption and injustice, to the sense of frustration, grief, anger 
and anxiety, and above all, to the national shame and disgrace that it has been causing 
to our people for many years. But then we realized that this problem called red tape, 
which refers to the unreasonable, oppressive and wasteful delays in the performance of 
official acts and duties and in the delivery of vital public services and which in the 
ultimate analysis is the matrix of graft and corruption and other chronic ills in the 
country's bureaucracy, is a very serious challenge to our sense of responsibility and 
honor and a mortal threat to our national existence because men cannot go on believing 
in a system that claims to be free and democratic while it permits the unscrupulous 
bureaucrats to run the government as if it were their own preserve. 
This bill proceeds from the assumption that red tape and the various ills that it 
breeds are man-made problem that can be solved and licked, or at least reduced to 
manageable proportions and our people and the new leaders of the nation have the 
means, the capacity, the courage and the wisdom to overcome it. In fact, it is the 
objective of this proposed legislative measure to lay down the groundworks and pave the 
way towards the formulation and implementation of some solutions to the aforesaid 
problems that should be more effective and lasting than the palliatives and the ill- 
conceived remedies attempted in the past. In accordance with this purpose, it aims to 
give meaning and substance to the constitutional mandate enunciated under Section 27, 
Article II and Section 1, Article XI of the Constitution, which provides as follows: 
"SECTION 27. The State shall maintain honesty and integrity in 
the public service and take positive and effective measures against graft 
and corruption." (Section 27, Article II of the Constitution) 
"SECTION 1. Public office is a public trust. Public officers and 
employees must at all times be accountable to the people, serve them 
with utmost responsibility, integrity, loyalty and efficiency, act with 
patriotism and justice, and lead modest lives." (Section 1, Article XI of the 
Constitution) 


Conceptually, the provisions of this bill are structured in such a way that it would 
provide both immediate relief and long-ranged solutions to the problem of red tape and 
other pernicious practices in the public service. Thus, an examination of this proposed 
legislation would reveal that some of its provisions are designed to go into full operation 
as soon as it is enacted into law. However, the author of this bill has always been of the 
belief that to achieve an effective and enduring solution or solutions to these problems is 
a task that calls for a comprehensive, integrated and systematic approach, analysis and 
evaluation of the present situation in the government bureaucracy. For this reason, it is 
proposed under the provisions of this bill, among other things, that the Inter- 
departmental Executive Committee be created which 
would undertake the 
implementation of the significant components of this bill at the initial stage and at the 
same time serve as adequate and capable mechanism for preparing the blueprint and 
the essential foundations for significant and meaningful administrative reforms, changes, 
innovations, growth and development in the government services. The said Committee 
is intended to operate for one year and when it goes out of existence, the various 
agencies of the government whose functions and responsibilities are related to the 
needs and requirements of the government in the areas of management and general 
administration, particularly the Department of Budget and Management, the Civil Service 
Commission and the Commission on Audit with the participation of the Office of the 
Ombudsman, would continue where the Committee leaves off and provide, on a 
continuing and sustained basis a systematic and effective study and review of the 
systems, methods, operations, practices and procedures of the various government 
offices and agencies. 
It is hoped that with the passage of this bill, the taxpayers and the entire citizenry 
in the country would ultimately be relieved of the disgusting problems and difficulties that 
they often encounter in the various government offices mainly because of red tape and 
other anomalous practices in government service and that its enactment would 
strengthen and enhance the faith of our people in the ideals and principles of freedom 
and democracy. 
In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly recommended 


THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF TI. I€ 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINE:; 
Second Regular Session 
$ < ' \ & . ~  
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S E N A T E  
Senate Bill No. __ . & 
- 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. MANNY VILLAR 
AN ACT 
TO PREVENT, CURB AND ELIMINATE ALL FORMS OF UNREASONABLE AND 
OPPRESIVE DELAYS AND BUREAUCRATIC RED TAPE IN ALL GOVERNMENT 
OFFICES, CREATING AN INTER-DEPARTMENTAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE ON 
GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS MANUAL, AND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR AND 
FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
it 
Ben enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Title. - This Act shall be known and cited as the "Anti-Red Tape Act 
of 2006. 
SECTION 2. Declaration ofPolicy. - It is hereby declared a policy of the State to 
formulate, adopt, and implement sound and effective measures to prevent, curb, and 
eradicate all forms of unreasonable, wasteful and oppressive delays and bureaucratic 
red tape in all government offices and agencies, in the performance of official acts, 
functions and duties, and in the conduct of government affairs; to eliminate practices and 
procedures in the public service which breed corruption and cause the loss of the 
people's trust and confidence in the government; and to ensure that all public officers 
and employees shall at all times serve the people with utmost responsibility, honesty, 
integrity, efficiency and loyalty, with a sense of justice and a firm commitment to the 
welfare and well-being of the nation. 
SECTION 3. Operations Manual of Government Offices. - Within a period of six 
(6) months from the date of the effectivity of this Act, all departments, bureaus, offices, 
agencies, institutions and instrumentalities of the government, including government- 
owned and controlled corporations with original charters and local government units 
shall formulate, prepare and adopt their manuals of standard operating procedures in 


accordance with the provisions of this Act and its impletmenting rules and regulations 
particularly for the purpose of achieving the highest level of efficiency and economy in 
their operations and activities, improving their management systems, methods and 
performance, and eliminating practices and procedures which tend to cause 
unreasonable, wasteful and oppressive delays in the delivery of vital public services, 
corruption, and other problems affecting the government and the people. 
SECTION 4. Form, Contents and Format of the Manual. - The manual of 
standard operating procedures or operations of manual of government offices shall be in 
printed or typewritten form and shall have such format, divisions, parts and designs as 
may be prescribed under the implementing rules and regulations: Provided, That every 
manual shall contain and include the following: 
(a) Information detailing the functions and the services rendered by the agency 
or office concerned as well as the steps and procedures needed to avail of 
such services; the administrative structure and systems for processing 
requests, applications and inquiries for agency services and; a general 
timetable for processing such applications, request or inquiries. 
(b) An annex containing the following: 
(i) 
A complete list of all the laws, orders, circulars, rules and regulations, 
official instructions and memoranda which directly affect the 
operations and activities of the particular department, bureau, office or 
agency, including the programs and projects, if any, which are 
undertaken pursuant to such laws; 
Information and reference materials regarding the powers, functions, 
responsibilities, objectives and policies of a permanent nature; 
organization, management, administrative systems and relationships, 
plantilla and staffing pattern of officers and personnel, fiscal and 
financial programs and requirements, property, equipmeni and 
facilities, accounting and auditing rules and regulation, and office 
operating procedures; other vital aspects of the particular department, 
bureau, office or agency; 
(ii) 


(iii) 
(iv) 
The pertinent provis,ons of this Act, the Civil Service Law, the Anti- 
Grail and Corrupt Practices Act, and other legislations including 
executive orders, rules and regulations, which are intended to provide 
sound and effective solutions to the problems of graft and corruption, 
and other pernicious practices in the government service; 
Provisions covering the plan, designation, general arrangement, 
format, purpose and authority, and authentication of the manual, 
including the control of manual issuance, internal clearance 
procedures, editorial revision, the process of preparation, updating, 
and reproduction, and the use, filling care and custody of the manual. 
SECTION 5. Creation and Compensafion of an Inter-Departmental Committee on 
Government 
Operations 
Manual and Defining its Powers, 
Functions and 
Responsibilities. - Pursuant to the purposes and objectives of this Act, an inter- 
departmental executive committee, to be known as the Committee on Government 
Operations Manual and hereinafter referred to as the Committee, is hereby created 
composed of the Chairman of the Civil Service Commission as Chairman and 
representatives from the Commission on Audit, the Office of the Ombudsman, the 
Department of Budget and Management, and the Department of the Interior and Local 
Government as members. 
The powers, functions and responsibilities of the Committee are as follows: 
(a) Formulate and prescribe the guidelines and the rules and regulations 
governing the preparation, adoption, publication and maintenance of the 
manuals of standard operating procedure or operations manual of the various 
departments, bureaus, offices, agencies, institutions and instrumentalities of 
the government, including government-owned and controlled corporations 
with the original chatters and the local government units; 
(b) Direct, supervise and assist the aforesaid government offices and agencies in 
the preparation, adoption and submission of their manuals of standard 
operating procedures and provide them with such technical assistance, 
services and instructions as may be necessary to enable them to submit their 


proposed manuals to the Committee within the period s,pecified in Section 3 
of this Act; 
(c) Adopt, implement and enforce in accordance with the existing laws and the 
rules and regulations of the government, such measures, actions and 
remedies as may be proper and necessary to carry out its functions and 
responsibilities and to ensure compliance with its rules and regulations, 
orders, instructions, guidelines, standards and requirements; 
(d) Prepare and submit to the Office of the President of the Philippines its 
recommendations relative to the implementation and enforcement of the 
provisions of this Act for the issuance and promulgation of the proper 
executive and administrative orders and instructions; 
(e) Review, analyze and evaluate the proposed manuals of standard operating 
procedures prepared and submitted to the Committee by the various 
government offices and agencies that are covered by the provisions of this 
Act, and approve or disapprove the same: Provided, That in case of 
disapproval, the office or agency concerned shall comply with requirements 
of the Committee within the period specified in Section 10 of this Act; 
(f) Conduct and undertake public consultations, conferences, seminars, 
workshop and other similar activities for the purpose of obtaining or securing 
information, comments, recommendations and proposals in relation to the 
issues, problems and subjects which the Committee may deem proper to 
consider and carry out research projects and studies particularly in the fields 
of public administration, management principles, administrative regulations 
and procedures and the civil service system; 
(9) Prepare and submit a report, together with its recommendations, to the 
President 
of 
the 
Philippines 
and 
to 
Congress, 
containing 
its 
accomplishments, a discussion of the problems encountered by the 
Committee in the course of its operations and proceedings and the proposed 
remedies or solutions thereto, its funds and disbursements, and such 
legislative proposals as the Committee may deem proper to submit for the 
enactment of appropriate legislations; and 


(h) Perform and exercise all acts and function as may necessarily be inferred or 
implied from the powl.?.rs, functions and responsibilities conferred to the 
Committee in this section and in other provisions of this Act. 
SECTION 6. Operations, Funds and Duration of the Committee, - Immediately 
after the date of the effectivity of this Act, the Chairman shall convene the Committee in 
an organizational meeting with written notice to all the members thereof stating the date, 
time and place of the meeting and the matters to be discussed therein which shall 
include the administrative arrangements and procedures of the Committee, its internal 
rules and regulations, and its plans and work programs. The Committee shall be under 
the control and supervision of the Chairman and shall meet everyday except on Sundays 
and official holidays. The Chairman shall be authorized to decide and resolve all issues 
pending before the Committee in consultation with the members thereof and to issue 
such orders and instructions as may be proper to enforce and implement the decisions 
of the Committee. The office of the Committee shall be located at the Civil Service 
Commission unless the Committee shall fix its location in another place. 
SECTION 7. The Secretariat. - The Committee shall have a Secretariat which 
shall be under the control and supervision of the Chairman and shall be headed by the 
representative of the Department of Budget and Management. The Secretariat shall 
provide the Committee with such assistance and support services as may be necessary 
for its operations and activities and the proper performance of its functions and 
responsibilities, including administrative personnel, equipment and facilities. The 
Secretariat shall take charge of the proper implementation and enforcement of the 
decisions and resolutions of the Committee, including the orders and instructions of the 
Chairman, and shall be responsible for the care, preservation and custody of the 
records, papers, documents, information materials and references of the Committee and 
shall perform such other functions as may be directed by the Committee. 
SECTION 8. Provisions on Allowances, Detail of Personnel and Employment of 
Consultants. - The Chairman and the members of the Committee shall not receive 
salaries from the funds of the Committee as compensation for their services therein, but 
shall be entitled to transportation and representation allowances every month based on 
the rates given to Cabinet Officials under existing laws, rules and regulations, and they 


shall also be entitled per diems for every meeting of ,,he Committee which they have 
actually attended at such rates determined under existing laws and regulations. 
Upon request by the Committee through its Chairman, the Secretary of the 
Department of Budget and Management shall assign on detail any employee or 
personnel of his department to the Committee and if necessary for its manpower and 
operational requirements the Committee shall send similar requests to other government 
offices and agencies for the temporary assignment of employees and personnel to the 
Committee and such request shall be acted upon by the head of the office or agency 
concerned within forty-eight (48) hours from receipt thereof. The detail or temporary 
assignment of government employees or personnel to the Committee therein authorized 
shall be exempted from the requirements and restrictions prescribed under the existing 
laws, rules and regulations: Provided, That the period of the detail or temporary 
assignment in any case shall be limited to the period within which the Committee shall 
operate and any employee or personnel assigned to the Committee shall not be recalled 
without its approval. Any government employee or personnel assigned on the detail to 
the Committee shall continue to receive his or her salary and other benefits from the 
office or agency where he or she is employed and shall not be paid any salary from the 
funds of the Committee but shall be granted transportation and representation 
allowances at such rates as may be fixed under existing laws and regulations. The 
Committee shall not employ any person who is entering the government service for the 
first time whether as a permanent or regular employee or on a casual basis but it shall 
be authorized to avail of the services of experts and consultants on a contractual basis 
under such terms and conditions as the Committee may determine in the exercise of its 
sound discretion: Provided, That the period of the contract of employment shall be 
limited to the period within which the Committee shall operate pursuant to the provisions 
of this Act and such contract of employment shall be exempted from the requirements 
and restrictions prescribed under the existing laws, rules and regulations governing 
contractual employment in the government service. 
SECTION 9. Expiration of the Term of the Committee. - Upon the expiration of 
the term of the Committee, the records, papers, documents, information materials and 
references of the Committee shall be transferred by the Secretariat to the Department of 


Budget and Management and the Civi Service Commission with the proper inventory 
and receipt. The office supplies, equipment and facilities of the Committee, the 
ownership of which has been acquired by the Committee through purchase or otherwise 
shall be turned over by the Secretariat to the Office of the President with proper 
inventory and receipt for disposition in accordance with existing laws, rules and 
regulations. The Committee, through the Chairman and with the assistance of the 
Secretariat, shall prepare and submit its reports as required in Section 5, paragraph (g) 
of this Act, to the President of the Philippines and to Congress not later than thirty (30) 
days from the date of the termination of its existence. 
SECTION I O .  Preparation and Submission of the Manual. - The head of the 
office concerned shall be directly responsible for the preparation and submission to the 
Committee of the manual of operating procedures of his office in accordance with the 
provisions of this Act and the guidelines, regulations, and requirements of the 
Committee. The manual shall be prepared with such number of copies as may be 
required by the Committee and shall be approved by the head of the office before it shall 
be submitted to the Committee for its consideration and approval. In case the office 
concerned has a governing body, the manual shall be submitted to the governing body 
for its consideration and approval and upon its approval, it shall be submitted by the 
head of the office to the Committee. The manual submitted to the Committee shall be 
acted upon immediately and the same shall either be approved or disapproved by the 
Committee within ten (IO) calendar days from receipt thereof provided that in case the 
proposed manual is disapproved, the Committee shall immediately notify the office 
where the aforesaid manual originated, specifying the reasons therefor and the 
corrections, changes or modifications to be made in the manual in order that the same 
can be approved by the Committee, and the office concerned shall comply with the 
instructions and requirements of the Committee within five (5) calendar days from receipt 
of the notice. As used in this section, the term “head of the office” means the highest 
executive official in the office or organization as determined by the law of its creation and 
the term “office” means any office or organizational unit of the government that has a 
separate and distinct organizational identity, including a department, a bureau, an 


agency, a board, a commission, a i:orporation, 
the local government units, and other 
similar organizations in the government service. 
SECTION 11. Implementation, Enforcement and Modifications of the Manual. - 
The head of the office, as this tern- is defined in Section 10 of this Act, shall be directly 
responsible for the proper implementation and enforcement of the manual of standard 
operating procedures approved by the Committee. The provisions of the manual shall be 
binding on all officers and employees of the office who shall individually be furnished, 
free of charge, a copy of the manual with the proper acknowledgement of the receipt 
thereof. The manual shall be reproduced in such number of copies as may be necessary 
to ensure that the office shall have at all times a sufficient number of copies available for 
distribution and dissemination and the cost of the reproduction shall always be included 
in the annual budget of the office. Any person, firm or entity may secure a copy of the 
manual by submitting a written request for the purpose to the head of the office and 
upon payment of a reasonable fee. Each of the following offices shall be furnished free 
of charge with at least (2) copies of the manual: the Office of the President of the 
Philippines; the Office of the Ombudsman; the Office of the Chairman of the Civil Service 
Commission; the Office of the Chairman of the Commission on Audit; the Office of the 
Secretary of the Department of Budget and Management; the Library of the Senate; the 
Library of the House of Representatives; the Library of the University of the Philippines 
and the National Library. Any modifications, changes, corrections, revisions or 
Improvements to be made in the manual or any parts thereof shall be effected in 
accordance with the provisions of this Act and its implementing rules and regulations 
and with the guidelines, regulations and requirements prescribed by the Committee. As 
a part of the implementation and enforcement process, the head of the office shall 
formulate, adopt and carry out appropriate measures designed to provide the office with 
the sound, effective and systematic study and review of the manual, including the issues 
and problems which may arise from the implementation and enforcement of its 
provisions, and in accordance with this purpose the office shall conduct periodically a 
seminar, workshop or similar types of activity in order that the officers and employees 
shall be provided with an adequate knowledge, information and understanding of the 
provisions of the manual. 


SECTION 12. Program of Continuing Study and Revitiw of the Management and 
Operating Procedures of Government Offices. - Upon the termination of the existence of 
the Committee, the Civil Service Commission, in consultation with the Department of 
Budget and Management and the Commission on Audit, shall prepare, formulate, adopt 
and implement a comprehensive and integrated program designed to provide a 
continuing, systematic and effective study and review of the management and operating 
procedures of government offices and to achieve the following objectives and purposes: 
(a) To improve and upgrade the management systems, practices, methods, 
strategies, techniques and the operating procedures of the office; 
(b) To eliminate the problems of delay and other deleterious practices in 
connection with the performance of official acts and duties and in the delivery 
of public services particularly where the legal rights of persons, both natural 
and juridical, are adversely affected; 
(c) To raise the level of efficiency and performance of the office particularly in 
terms of operating costs, the production and productivity rates of the officers 
and employees, revenues, or income generated, and the relations of the 
office with the general public; 
(d) To formulate and adopt valid and effective criteria, standards and guidelines 
for management and performance analysis and evaluation; 
(e) To provide government offices with sound and effective management advice, 
instructions and guidance; and 
(f) To enable government offices to participate more effectively and efficiently in 
the implementation of the national policies and programs geared towards the 
country's social and economic growth and development. As a part of the 
aforesaid program, the Committee shall prepare and submit to the President 
of the Philippines such recommendation as it may deem proper or necessary 
to institute vital reforms, innovations, changes or modifications in the 
management and operating procedures of government offices in order that 
the proper orders and instructions may be issued and promulgated by the 
said official in relation to the aforementioned purposes. 


SECTION 13. Rule'; On Government Operations and Transactions. - Any 
provisions of law, executive orders, rules and regulations to the contrary 
notwithstanding, the operstions and transactions in gcivernment offices shall be 
governed by the following rules: 
(1) All 
documents, 
papers, 
records, 
reports, 
request, 
applications, 
representations, letters, correspondences and other communications filed in 
the office, the subject matter of which is, by the terms of the law or laws, rules 
and regulations governing them, not within the jurisdiction of the office, shall 
be acted upon within one (1) working day from the date when they are filed 
by referring, forwarding, endorsing or transmitting them to the person, official 
or office to which they should have been addressed. In accordance with rule 
herein stated, the head of the office shall issue the proper office orders, 
memoranda or instructions designating the officers or employees in the 
proper office who shall act on the aforesaid matters and stating or otherwise 
indicating the action or actions to be taken thereon and the procedures to be 
followed in relation thereto particularly within the period herein specified. 
Under the provisions of this section, a document or communication is 
deemed to have been filed in the office on the date when it is actually 
received in the office, or when it is sent by mail, on the date of its actual 
receipt in the office. 
(2) In case where the subject matter'of a given document, paper, report, record, 
report, request, application, representation, letter, correspondence or 
communication that has been filed in the office is within the jurisdiction of the 
office and it is required that administrative or ministerial action thereon shall 
be performed or exercised by the head of the office or by the governing body, 
as the case may be, in accordance with law or laws, rules and regulations 
governing the same, the head of the office or the governing body shall act on 
the matter within one (1) working day from the date when it is filed in the 
office: Provided, That all the supporting papers, documents and requirements 
prescribed under the pertinent laws, rules and regulations have been 
submitted or complied with: Provided, further, That in case the document, 


paper, 
report, 
record, 
request, 
application, 
representation, 
letter, 
correspondence or communication is sent to the office by mail, it shall be 
deemed to have been filed from the date of the actual receipt thereof in the 
office concerned: Provided, Final/y, That if the head of the office or the 
governing body cannot act on the aforesaid swject matter for the reason that 
the necessary supporting papers, documents, and requirements have not 
been submitted or complied with, the head of the office shall immediately 
notify the person, firm or entity concerned of such fact and the aforesaid 
matter shall be acted upon by the head of the office or the governing body 
within one (1) working day from the date when necessary supporting papers, 
document and requirements have been submitted or complied with. 
(3) In cases where the subject matter of a given document, paper, report, record, 
request, application, representation, letter, correspondence or communication 
is within the jurisdiction of the office and it is required that administrative or 
ministerial action thereon shall be performed or exercised by a subordinate 
officer or employee in the office, in accordance with the pertinent law or laws, 
rules and regulations, the same shall be acted upon by the subordinate 
officer or employee within one (1) working day from the date when it is filed 
with or received in the office: Provided, That all the necessary supporting 
papers, documents and requirements prescribed under the pertinent law or 
laws, rules and regulations have been submitted or complied: Provided, 
Further, That in case the document, paper, report, record, request, 
application, representation, letter, correspondence or communication is sent 
to the office by mail, it shall be deemed to have been filed or received from 
the date of its actual receipt in the office: Provided, Finally, That if the 
subordinate officer or employee cannot act on the aforesaid matter for the 
reason that the necessary supporting papers or documents prescribed under 
the pertinent law or laws, rules and regulations have not been submitted or 
complied with, the said officer or employee shall immediately notify the 
person, firm or entity concerned of such fact and the said officer or employee 
shall act on the aforesaid matter within one (1) working day from the date 


when the supporting papers, documents and requirements are submitted or 
complied with. 
(4) Any application for a license, permit, privilege, grant, concession, franchise 
and the like, which by the terms of the pertinent law or laws, rules and 
regulations is within the jurisdiction of the office and the action thereon is 
required to be performed or exercised by the head of the office or by a 
governing body, shall be acted upon within four (4) working days from the 
date when the application is filed in the office: Provided, That all the 
necessary supporting papers, documents and requirements prescribed under 
the pertinent law or laws, rules and regulations have been submitted or 
complied with by the applicant: Provided, Further, That in case the 
application, together with the supporting papers, documents requirements, is 
sent to the office by mail, it shall be deemed to have been filed from the date 
of its actual receipt in the office: Provided, Still Further, That if the head of the 
office or the governing body cannot act on the application for the reason that 
the applicant has not submitted the necessary supporting papers, documents 
and requirements, the head of the office shall immediately notify the applicant 
of such fact and the application shall be acted upon by the head of the office 
or by the governing body within four (4) working days from the date when the 
applicant has submitted the necessary supporting papers and documents and 
has complied with the requirements prescribed under the pertinent law or 
laws, rules and regulations: Provided, Finally, That in the event that the 
application is denied or disapproved, the applicant may avail of the remedies 
provided under existing laws, rules and regulations. The rules herein stated 
shall be applied if the purpose of the application is for the renewal or 
extension of the license, permit, privilege, grant, concession, franchise and 
the like, and in case the application for renewal or extension is denied or 
disapproved, the applicant may avail of the remedies provided under existing 
laws, rules and regulations. 
(5) It shall be the duty and the responsibility of the head of the office, to prepare 
and make available to the general public and particularly to every person, 


whether natural or juridical, who is transacti!ig business with the office, a 
complete list of the requirements that are involJed in the various operations, 
activities, proceedings and transactions in the office together with a set of 
adequate and accurate instructions regarding the procedures to be followed 
to ensure compliance with the requirements. The said list of requirements 
and instructions shall be prepared in printed or typewritten form and shall be 
subject to the approval of the proper authorities in accordance with the 
existing laws, rules and regulations. Copies of the aforesaid list of 
requirements and instructions shall be posted at all times in the bulletin board 
or boards which shall be located in a conspicuous place in the office and in 
other places which are readily accessible to the general public in the 
community where the office is situated. It shall be the duty and the 
responsibility of the head of the office to ensure that the office shall at all 
times be provided with the following information materials and devices: 
(a) The table of organization or Organizational Chart of the Office, showing 
the basic organizational structure of the office; 
(b) A Functional Chart, showing the various functions, duties and 
responsibilities of the officers and employees in the office; and 
(c) A Communication Flow Chart, showing the flow of all incoming and 
outgoing communications in the office and the line of actions on these 
communications. The aforesaid shall be posted at all times in a 
conspicuous place or location in the office for the benefit of the officers 
and employees and of the general public. 
(6) Every document, paper, record, report, representation, request, application, 
letter, correspondence or communication filed or received in the office shall 
be stamped or marked showing'the name of the officer or employee who 
received it and the date and time of the receipt and the same shall be 
registered in a Log Book or Record Book in the office showing the full name 
of the sender, the date and time of the receipt, and a brief description of the 
subject matter contained therein. Whenever possible, a File Copy of the 
aforesaid document, paper or communication shall be retained and preserved 


in the office for information and reference. The ssid Log Book or Record Book 
shall be used exclusively for all incoming communications and a separate 
Log Book or Record Book for all outgoing communications shall be set up 
and maintained in the office. Additional rules on the recording and custody of 
incoming communications and the rules of procedure or procedures to be 
followed in connection with the recording and release of any outgoing 
communications in the office shall be prescribed in an appropriate office 
order, memorandum, rules or regulations, to be issued by the head of the 
office particularly indicating the date and time of the release and the person, 
firm or entity to which it is addressed. 
(7) It shall be the duty and the responsibility of the head of the office to prepare, 
formulate, adopt and implement a program designed to provide the office with 
a sound and effective system of study and review of the management, 
policies, practices and performance, methods, strategies and techniques, and 
of the operating procedures in the office, and to prepare and submit 
appropriate reports and recommendations to the proper authorities in 
accordance with the existing laws, rules and regulations particularly based on 
the findings and results of the program. 
(8) The terms "head of the office" and "office" used in the provisions of this 
section shall have the same definitions as the aforesaid terms defined in 
Section 10 of this Act. The provisions of this section shall be included in the 
manual of operating procedures of all government offices. 
SECTION 14. Exempting Provisions. -This Act shall not apply to the following: 
1. The President and Vice-president of the Philippines; 
2. Senators and Congressman; 
3. Members of the Judiciary and Officials with quasi-judicial power in the 
exercise of their discretionary functions; 
4. Cabinet Secretaries and Officials in the Office of the President of the 
Philippines with Cabinet rank in the exercise of their discretionary functions; 
5. Governors, Mayors, Councilors and Barangay Captains. 


SECTION 15. Penalties. - Any government official or employee who violates the 
provisions of this Act shall be punished with a fine in the amount of not less than One 
Thousand Pesos (P1,OOO.OO) or more than Five Thousand Pesos (P5,OOO.OO) or with 
imprisonment of not less than one (1) month or more than one (1) year: in the discretion 
of the court. In addition, the offender shall be subject to disciplinary action prescribed 
under the Civil Service Law, Rules and Regulations. The enforcement of the provisions 
of this Section shall be held in abeyance for a period of six (6) months from the date of 
the effectivity of this Act and after the lapse of the aforesaid period of six (6) months the 
restriction herein stated shall automatically be lifted and the provisions of this section 
shall operate with full force and effect. 
SECTION 16. implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Civil Service 
Commission in consultation with the Department of Budget and Management shall issue 
and promulgate the implementing rules and regulations covering the provisions of this 
Act. 
SECTION 17. Funding. - The sum of Ten Million Pesos (PlO,OOO,OOO.OO) is 
authorized to be appropriated out of any available funds in the National Treasury not 
otherwise appropriated to defray the expenses and financial requirements of the 
Committee and all expenditures and disbursements of the Committee shall be subject to 
existing accounting and auditing laws, rules and regulations. 
The Committee shall be in operation for a period of one (1) years. 
SECTION 18. Separability Clause. - In the event that any provision or part of this 
Act shall be declared unconstitutional by the courts, the remaining provisions shall 
remain valid and in full force and effect. 
SECTION 19. Repealing Clause. - All laws, orders, rules and regulations or part 
thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or amended 
accordingly. 
SECTION 20. Date of €ffecfivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after 
its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) national newspapers of general 
circulation whichever comes earlier. 
Approved,