NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
House Bill No._______ 
Introduced by Hon. Antonio B. Legarda Jr. 
AN ACT 
TO PROMOTE AND ADVANCE SUSTAINABLE LIVELIHOOD AND 
ENTREPRENEURSHIP BY INTEGRATING, ENHANCING, AND 
INSTITUTIONALIZING FINANCING AND OTHER PROGRAMS FOR 
LIVELIHOOD SUPPORT FOR MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES 
(MSMEs), APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER 
PURPOSES 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) are an important sector of 
our economy. According to the Department of Trade and Industry, 99.5 percent of 
Philippine businesses are Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and 
account for 25% of the country’s total exports revenue.1 In addition, MSMEs  are 
responsible for employing 62.66% or more than 5 million of the country’s 
workforce.2 
MSMEs are unfortunately susceptible to economic shocks, notwithstanding 
the significant role they play in our economy. Research shows that in March 2020, at 
the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, 59.9% of microenterprises, followed by small 
businesses (44.8%) and medium-sized businesses (35.8%), had no sales.3 MSMEs that 
continued to function throughout the lockdown saw a considerable decline in sales: 
approximately 30% less sales were generated in March compared to February at 
27.7% of micro, 43.6 percent of small, and 41.0 percent of medium-sized businesses.4 
Although there are currently laws, policies, and programs for MSMEs, these 
are inadequate and fail to fully address the problems and challenges they are facing. 
1https://www.dti.gov.ph/resources/msme-statistics/ 
2 Ibid. 
3 https://www.adb.org/sites/default/files/publication/677321/adbi-wp1216.pdf 
4 Ibid. 
July 27, 2022
4:40 pm
2603


There is an overarching need for more government support in the form of financial 
assistance, credit facilities, tax breaks, deferred loan payments and better supply 
chain management to ensure that MSMEs will be protected.  
Thus, this bill aims to provide support and assistance to MSMEs by giving 
more funding, credit facilities and livelihood assistance programs.  This is in 
recognition of the vital role that MSMEs play in our economy and to enable them to 
become effective drivers for economic growth in the country. 
In line with the policy adopted by its original proponent Senator Loren 
Legarda, this bill therefore likewise serves as a counter-part House Bill. It is for the 
reasons stated above that the passage of this measure is earnestly sought. 
ANTONIO B. LEGARDA JR. 


1
NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
House Bill No._______ 
Introduced by Hon. Antonio B. Legarda Jr. 
AN ACT 
TO PROMOTE AND ADVANCE SUSTAINABLE LIVELIHOOD AND 
ENTREPRENEURSHIP BY INTEGRATING, ENHANCING, AND 
INSTITUTIONALIZING FINANCING AND OTHER PROGRAMS FOR 
LIVELIHOOD SUPPORT FOR MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES 
(MSMEs), APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER 
PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
Section. 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the “Pangkabuhayan Act 
of 2022.” 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. – It is hereby declared the policy of the State that 
the 
diffusion and more equitable distribution of opportunities, income, and wealth shall 
be the goals of the national economic development programs; and expanding 
productivity, coupled with a sustained increase in the number of goods and services 
produced for the direct benefit of the people is the key to empowerment, poverty 
reduction, and enhancement of the quality of life for all, especially the 
underprivileged.  Consistent with the aforestated policy, the State shall: 
(a) Promote, 
strengthen 
and 
encourage 
sustainable 
livelihoods, 
entrepreneurship, and the growth and development of MSMEs in all 
productive sectors of the economy particularly rural, agri-based enterprises, 
research and development, invention, innovation, cultural and creative 
2603


 
 
2
industries, and other careers that contribute to environmental and cultural 
preservation; 
(b) Consolidate MSME laws, social laws, and livelihood and poverty alleviation 
programs to promote sustainable production, develop skills and capabilities, 
provide access to financial support and resource management, increase 
access to information, market access, and value chain development, and 
create opportunities for economic empowerment and increased incomes; 
(c) Adopt livelihood, entrepreneurial, and/or MSME development and support 
that is holistic, comprehensive, integrated, people-centered, responsive, and 
participatory, in lessening the socioeconomic and environmental impacts of 
disasters including epidemics and climate change, and promoting the 
involvement and participation of all sectors and all stakeholders concerned, 
at all levels, especially the local community; 
(d) Institutionalize the policies, structures, coordination mechanisms, and 
programs with continuing budget appropriation from national down to local 
levels towards building economic empowerment and improved incomes; 
(e) Simplify and minimize procedural rules and documentary requirements in 
the act of registration, availing of financing, or accessing government 
services; 
(f) Complement and supplement financing programs to remove stringent and 
burdensome collateral requirements; 
(g) Engage the participation of the beneficiaries, especially the poor and 
vulnerable, in the design, development, and implementation of sustainable 
livelihood policies or programs; 
(h) Engage the participation of civil society organizations (CSOs) and the private 
sector in the government's livelihood development and support for MSMEs 
programs towards complementation of resources and effective delivery of 
services to the citizenry; and 
(i) Assure a balanced and sustainable development through the establishment of 
a feedback and evaluation mechanism that will monitor socio-economic 
contributions as well as bottlenecks and environmental effects. 


 
 
3
Sec. 3. Scope. – This Act provides for the development of policies and plans 
and the implementation of actions and measures pertaining to all aspects of 
sustainable livelihood development and support and the growth and development 
of MSMEs. 
 
Sec. 4. The Pangkabuhayan Council. – The Pangkabuhayan Council is hereby 
established to develop the country’s sustainable livelihood and entrepreneurship 
goals, priorities, and long-term national strategy. The Council shall seek mainstream 
principles that are integrated, people-centered, participatory, responsive, and 
sustainable in the development, implementation, and assessment of sustainable 
livelihood and entrepreneurial programs and strategies. 
Sec. 5. Composition of the Pangkabuhayan Council. – The Council shall be 
composed of the following members: 
(a) President of the Philippines as the Chairperson;  
(b) Secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) as the Vice-
Chairperson; 
(c) Director-General of the National Economic and Development Authority 
(NEDA); 
(d) Secretary of the Department of Agriculture (DA); 
(e) Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR); 
(f) Secretary of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE); 
(g) Secretary of the Department of Tourism (DOT); 
(h) Secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD); 
(i) Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST); 
(j) Chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED); 
(k) Secretary of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM); 
(l) Secretary of the Department of Education (DepEd); 
(m) Secretary of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG); 
(n) Director-General of the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines 
(IPOPHIL); and 
(o) Seven (7) Executive Members are to be appointed by the President. 


 
 
4
The Executive Members shall be appointed from the ranks of business, 
entrepreneurs, academe, and the scientific community, at least one (1) of whom shall 
be a woman. There shall be at least one (1) representative from the MSME sector. 
Those to be appointed from the academe and the scientific community shall have at 
least seven (7) years of experience in the field of science and technology, research 
and development, or innovation. 
The President may designate the Executive Secretary to attend on his behalf 
and preside over the meetings of the Pangkabuhayan Council. The Department 
Secretaries and other members may not designate alternate representatives other 
than their respective undersecretaries to the meetings.  
The majority of the members shall constitute a quorum. 
Sec. 6. Powers and Functions. The Pangkabuhayan Council shall have the 
following powers and functions: 
1.  The Council shall act as the coordinating and supervising body for all 
agencies involved in the establishment and operation of the following 
programs: 
(a)   DTI’s Negosyo Center Program, which is responsible for 
promoting ease of doing business and facilitating access to services for 
Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs); 
(b) DSWD’s Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP), which is a 
community-based program that provides income-generating activities 
to low-income households; 
(c) 
DOLE’s 
Tulong 
Panghanapbuhay 
sa 
Ating 
Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) or Cash for Work 
Program, a community-based package assistance that provides 
emergency employment for displaced workers, underemployed, and 
seasonal workers; 
(d)  DOLE’S Integrated Livelihood Program–Kabuhayan, which 
provides assistance through grants to individuals and groups that can 
be used to start a livelihood project, expand or upgrade an existing 
project, restore or re-establish existing livelihood projects destroyed 


 
 
5
due to natural and human-made disasters, or transform existing 
livelihood assistance to community/group enterprises. 
(e) DOST’s Small Enterprises Technology Upgrading Program 
(SETUP), a nationwide strategy that aims to encourage and assist SMEs 
to adopt technology innovations to improve their operations and thus 
boost their productivity and competitiveness; 
(f) DTI and TESDA’s (Technical Education and Skills Development 
Authority)  Barangay Kabuhayan, a national program that ensures that 
all livelihood and skills training centers offered by the National 
Government are properly implemented at the municipal level. 
(g) NEDA, DOST, and DTI’s implementation of the Philippine 
Innovation Act, a law that seeks to guide the country's innovation 
goals and is expected to make the policy environment in the country 
conducive to more science, technology, and innovation efforts; 
(h)  DTI’s Shared Service Facilities (SSF) Project, a flagship program of 
the DTI aimed at improving the productivity and efficiency of small 
enterprises through access to better technology. 
This shall include overseeing, in coordination with local government 
units and the DILG as well as private sector groups/associations, the 
developments among micro, small and medium enterprises as well as 
the individual beneficiaries; 
2. The Council shall promote and advance sustainable livelihood and 
entrepreneurship by integrating the aforementioned programs through the 
Council; 
3. The Council shall monitor and assess the progress of the program 
beneficiaries, which report shall be submitted to the Congress; 
4. The Council shall review the programs’ existing policies and recommend 
changes or improvements therein to the President and Congress. 
This shall include efforts to simplify rules and regulations, as well as a 
review of the applicability and relevance of procedural and documentary 
requirements in the registration, financing, and other activities relevant to 


 
 
6
MSMEs and individual beneficiaries, the result of which shall also be 
included in the annual report to be submitted to Congress. 
5. The Council shall submit to the Congress an annual report of its assessment 
on the efficacy of the program, the status of its implementation including but 
not limited to progress reports, challenges, and recommendations, review of 
the policies involved, research, and other reports integral to the 
implementation of this Act. 
6. The Council shall promulgate implementing guidelines, programs, and 
operating principles as may be deemed proper and necessary in the light of 
government policies and objectives of this Act; 
7. The Council shall publish Compliance Guidelines, streamlining and 
simplifying the rules and regulations on procedural and documentary 
requirements for registration, financing, and other activities relevant to the 
implementation of the specified programs. 
The Compliance Guideline shall be written in plain language or the 
applicable local dialect. The publication of each Compliance Guideline shall 
include the posting of the guide in a conspicuous location on the website of 
the concerned agencies, and distribution of the guide to known industry 
contacts, such as small entities, associations, or industry leaders affected by 
the rule. 
The Council shall publish and disseminate the Compliance Guideline 
within ninety (90) days from the date of issuance.  
8. The Council shall conduct research to support women’s entrepreneurship 
including entrepreneurial behavior, barriers, participation and cessation rates, 
discriminatory practices, and contribution to the national economy and 
growth; 
9. The Council shall provide policy direction towards recognizing women’s 
propensity and talent in entrepreneurship as well as establish linkages that 
will enable more opportunities for women to engage in entrepreneurship; and 
10.  The Council shall develop, in coordination with the DepEd, Technical 
Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), and Commission on 


 
 
7
Higher 
Education, 
a 
course 
curriculum 
or 
training 
program 
in 
entrepreneurship that will promote entrepreneurial culture and competence. 
Entrepreneurship shall be integrated into the curriculum of educational and 
training institutions at all levels. 
Sec. 7. Establishment of a Sustainable Livelihood and Entrepreneurial Development 
Centers. – A Sustainable Livelihood and Entrepreneurial Development Center 
hereinafter referred to as the “SLED”, shall be established in every rural 
municipality in the country in accordance with such program established and 
determined by the DILG, taking into account the socio-economic profile, literacy, 
employment conditions, health status of the residents, the opportunities therein 
available, the presence of support mechanics/structures and skills craftsmanship 
training activities in the community, and such other factors indicative of the need for 
the SLED. Provided, That priority shall be given to the most economically depressed 
areas with the highest percentage of disadvantaged and needy citizens.  
Initially and within a period of one (1) year from the date of the effectivity of 
this Act, at least one (1) Pilot Center shall be established in each of the fifteen (15) 
regions of the country, including the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim 
Mindanao and the Cordillera Autonomous Region.   
In applicable areas, the existing Go Negosyo Centers shall continue to operate 
as SLED subject to the provisions of this Act. The SLED shall be responsible for 
promoting ease of doing business and facilitating access to services for MSMEs and 
entrepreneurs within its jurisdiction.  
The SLEDs may be set up under the auspices of the local government units, 
and/or non-government organizations tapped by DILG to assist in the 
implementation of this Act. 
The SLED shall be assisted by the DOLE by rendering technical assistance and 
training to the personnel of the SLED and shall be supported by officials in 
encouraging the participation of residents in the programs and training offered by 
the SLED. The DILG, DOH, DOLE, DA, and other government agencies shall gear 
their programs to support the activities and actions envisioned and implemented by 
the SLED.  
Comment [MOU1]: Won’t this overlap with 
Go Negosyo Centers? 


 
 
8
 
Sec. 8. Capitalization and Funding of the Pangkabuhayan Council. – A 
Pangkabuhayan Fund to strengthen livelihood, entrepreneurial, and/or MSME 
development and support is hereby established. This Fund, from which grants will 
be issued, shall be administered by the Pangkabuhayan Council which shall screen 
and approve qualified proposals. Subject to availability of funds, a revolving fund in 
the initial amount of One Billion Pesos (Php 1,000,000,000.00) is hereby allocated for 
the initial year’s implementation of this Act, and such funds necessary for its 
continuous and effective implementation shall thereafter be included in the annual 
General Appropriations Act. 
Further, the Pangkabuhayan Council, in coordination with the agencies 
concerned, shall explore the possibility of accessing a growing range of bilateral and 
multilateral funds in order to be able to assist in the funding of livelihood, 
entrepreneurial, 
and/or 
MSME 
programs 
and 
initiatives. 
Public-private 
partnerships shall also be encouraged in the development and implementation of 
programs and initiatives. 
Sec. 9. Mandatory Allocation of Credit Resources for Livelihood Support Programs 
and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises. – For a period of ten (10) years from the 
date of the effectivity of this Act, all lending institutions as defined under Bangko 
Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) rules, whether public or private, shall set aside at least ten 
percent (10%) of their total loan portfolio based on their balance sheet at of the end 
of the previous quarter for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, and make it 
available for MSME credit or livelihood support programs as herein contemplated. 
Compliance with this provision shall include: 
a. The actual extension of loans to eligible MSMEs or beneficiaries; or 
b. Wholesale lending to Participating Financial Institutions (PFIs) for on-
lending to MSMEs; or 
c. Purchase/discount of MSMEs receivables; or 
d. Extension of loans to MSME value chain actors who allow MSMEs to 
participate in organized or formal value chains. Chain actors include, 
among others, traders, suppliers, processors, and aggregators who 
conduct linked sequences of value-adding activities involved in 


 
 
9
bringing a product to final consumers. 
The BSP and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), in consultation 
with the Pangkabuhayan Council, shall formulate rules for the effective 
implementation of this provision: Provided, That the purchase of government notes, 
securities, and other negotiable instruments shall not be deemed compliant with the 
foregoing provisions: Provided, further, That the BSP and the SEC, in consultation 
with all stakeholders, shall establish a meaningful incentive system to encourage 
compliance this provision; Provided, finally, that the BSP and the SEC shall align their 
regulations on penalties for banks and other entities for non-compliance with the 
provision for mandatory lending. 
The Pangkabuhayan Council shall set up the appropriate systems to monitor 
all loan applications of MSMEs to account for the absorptive capacity of the MSME 
sector. Each lending institution shall designate a Chief Compliance Officer who will 
prepare and sign the report on compliance and noncompliance with the mandatory 
credit allocation, for submission to the BSP in the case of banks, and the SEC in the 
case of non-bank financial intermediates. 
The BSP in the case of banks, and the SEC in the case of non-bank financial 
intermediates shall furnish to the Pangkabuhayan Council every quarter 
comprehensive reports on the lending entity’s compliance and noncompliance with 
the above provisions on the mandatory credit allocation for MSMEs and 
beneficiaries, and shall submit an annual report, signed by an officer with the rank of 
at least a managing director, on the amounts of the penalties for non-compliance 
with the mandatory lending provision of this act. 
All banks shall provide access to deposit accounts, such as savings, checking, 
and debit accounts, to registered MSMEs. Financial technology shall be provided to 
MSMEs to ensure their financial inclusion. 
All lending entities shall report credit information and transactions of MSMEs 
to a national credit registry to monitor proper compliance and efficient 
implementation. 
For efficient implementation and operation, cooperatives, except cooperative 
banks and insurance cooperatives, shall be under the sole supervision and 


 
 
10
examination of the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA); all other financial 
entities, corporations and financial intermediaries, such as non-government 
organizations, financing companies, non-stock savings and loan associations, 
microfinance non-government organizations, and lending investors shall be under 
the SEC; banks shall be under the BSP; and insurance companies shall be under the 
Insurance Commission (IC). For clarity, cooperative banks shall be under the 
supervision and examination of the CDA and BSP; while insurance cooperatives 
shall be under the supervision and examination of the CDA and Insurance 
Commission (IC). 
Lending institutions that are not qualified to acquire or hold lands of the 
public domain in the Philippines shall be permitted to bid and take part in sales of 
mortgaged real property in case of judicial or extra-judicial foreclosure, as well as 
avail of receivership, enforcement, and other proceedings, solely upon default of a 
borrower, and for a period not exceeding five (5) years from actual possession: 
Provided, That in no event shall title to the property be transferred to such lending 
institution. If the lending institution is the winning bidder, it may, during said five 
(5) year period, transfer its rights to a qualified Philippine national, without 
prejudice to a borrower’s rights under applicable laws. 
 
Sec. 10. Recovery Fund. – Aside from the existing benefits for MSMEs and 
eligible entrepreneurs, the Pangkabuhayan Council shall establish a Recovery Fund 
for MSMEs and beneficiaries, to be sourced from the Pangkabuhayan Fund, to 
provide MSMEs with aid, relief, and recovery interventions for disasters, calamities, 
epidemics, or complex emergencies, such as but not limited to, the COVID-19 
pandemic. 
 
Sec. 11. Congressional Oversight Committee. – To monitor and oversee the 
implementation of this Act, there shall be a Congressional Oversight Committee on 
Sustainable Livelihood and Entrepreneurship Development (COC-SLED) composed 
of the chairpersons of the Senate Committee on Economic Affairs and the House 
Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship Development as chairperson 
and co-chairperson, respectively; five (5) members of each of the Senate and House 
of Representatives to include the chairpersons of the Senate committees on Trade 


 
 
11
and Commerce, and Banks, Financial Institutions and Currencies; and the 
chairpersons of the House of committees on Trade and Industry, Banks and 
Financial Intermediaries, and Appropriations: Provided, That two (2) of the five 
Senators and two (2) of the five House members shall be nominated by the 
respective minority leaders of the Senate and the House of Representatives. 
The COC-SLED shall set the guidelines and overall framework for the 
monitoring of the implementation of this Act and shall adopt its internal rules of 
procedure. The Secretariat of the COC-SLED shall be drawn from the existing 
personnel of the Senate and House of Representatives committees compromising the 
COC-SLED. 
 
Sec. 12. Information Dissemination. – The Philippine Information Agency, in 
coordination with the DTI and the DILG, shall ensure the proper and adequate 
information dissemination of the contents and benefits of this Act to pertinent media 
entities and all cities, municipalities, and barangays. 
Sec. 13. Considerations in Setting Priority Areas for Sustainable Livelihood and 
Entrepreneurship. – In identifying the priority areas for livelihood and 
entrepreneurship development, the Pangkabuhayan Council shall, in consultation 
with the sectors concerned, consider the following areas: 
(a) Food security and sustainable agriculture;  
 
 
(b) Regenerative systems; 
(c) Health; 
(d) Secure, clean, and reliable energy; 
(e) Climate change and disaster resilience; 
(f) Innovation of traditional knowledge, traditional cultural expressions, and 
genetic resources; 
(g) Digital economy; 
(h) Sustainable transportation services; and 
(i) Sustainable tourism, among others. 
Sec. 14. Whole of Government Approach. – In order to effectively promote and 
advance sustainable livelihood and entrepreneurship across all areas of government 
policy, a "whole of government approach" shall be adopted. This approach shall 


 
 
12
facilitate engagement with business, the research, development, and engineering 
(RD&E) sector, MSMEs, and the broader community towards ensuring the full and 
effective implementation of this Act. 
All government agencies concerned, including the following, shall be 
responsible for implementing sustainable livelihood and entrepreneurship and, as 
such, shall observe the "whole of government approach" provided herein: 
(a) National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA); 
(b) Department of Science and Technology (DOST); 
(c) Department of Trade and Industry (DTI); 
(d) Department of Agriculture (DA); 
(e) Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR); 
(f) Department of Health (DOH); 
(g) Department of Energy (DOE); 
(h) Department of Transportation (DOTr); 
(i) Department of National Defense (DND); 
(j) Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT); 
(k) Department of Budget and Management (DBM); 
(l) Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG); 
(m) Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA); 
(n) Department of Education (DepEd); 
(o) Commission on Higher Education (CHED): 
(p) Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE); and 
(q) Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL). 
Government agencies shall make available for public access, a joint web 
portal, that will bear information pertinent to livelihood and MSMEs policies, 
strategies, and programs, including services, grants, and financial assistance. The 
agencies shall likewise ensure that beneficiaries are guided on available services. The 
web portal shall also include a database of all ongoing and completed programs 
implemented. 
It shall have interactive features that will allow the public to access services or 
file applications online. Inquiries shall be addressed within three (3) days from 


 
 
13
receipt thereof. The processing of applications shall be streamlined in accordance 
with the guidelines to be established by the Pangkabuhayan Council. Reforms to this 
effect shall be reported to the Council within six (6) months from the effectivity of 
this Act. 
The online facility shall provide an acknowledgment receipt and reference number 
for each transaction for monitoring purposes. 
Government agencies concerned shall submit periodic progress reports to the 
Pangkabuhayan Council on the status of livelihood or entrepreneurial programs. 
Reporting guidelines shall be prepared by the Council for this purpose. 
The enumeration of agencies provided herein is without prejudice to other 
agencies that the Council may mandate. 
Sec. 15. Removing Barriers to Livelihood and MSME Support. – The 
Pangkabuhayan Council and its member government agencies shall eliminate 
regulatory barriers and cut red tape to enable access to livelihood and MSME 
support programs. Towards this end, the Council shall facilitate consultations with 
stakeholders to identify and cause the removal of barriers, such as procedural rules 
and documentary requirements in registration, availing of financing, or accessing 
government services.  
Sec. 16. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – The Secretary of the DTI, in 
consultation with the appropriate agencies as may be deemed necessary, shall 
formulate the necessary rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this 
Act within ninety (90) days after its approval. The rules and regulations issued 
pursuant to this Section shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in a 
newspaper of general circulation. 
Sec. 17. Separability Clause. – If any provision of this Act shall be held 
unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act not otherwise affected shall remain in full 
force and effect. 
Sec. 18. Repealing Clause. – All laws, executive orders, presidential decrees, 
rules, and regulations, or parts thereof inconsistent with any provisions of this Act 
are hereby repealed, amended, or modified accordingly. 


 
 
14
Sec. 19. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
 
Approved,