Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. _______ 
Introduced by Hon. Christopher V.P. de Venecia
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL PUBLIC PARKS SYSTEM, AND 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR  
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Open and green spaces, especially those located within or near urban areas, contribute 
greatly to public health, beautify our surroundings, and offer potentials for sustainable 
economic growth to our communities.   
These public open spaces are crucial in reducing stress and mental disorders among 
residents of urban areas. Public parks also diminish health inequalities and increase perception 
of life quality and self-reported general health. They also provide arenas and opportunities for 
physical activity, increased social interactions and different modes of recreation1. The example 
of developed countries has also shown that cities and towns become more attractive when they 
have numerous public parks as part of their tourism plan.  
For this reason, developed countries around the world have incorporated public parks 
in the habitats of their citizens while the United Nations has identified these spaces as integral 
to the attainment of Sustainable Development Goal # 11 which is the creation and maintenance 
of Sustainable Cities and Communities.  
The Philippines, however, lags behind these developed countries. First and foremost, 
the concept of a park is not clearly defined and the allocation of public spaces in urban areas 
for such purpose, unmandated on a national level.  
 Bearing in mind that 54% of the 7.2 billion world population in 2014 reside in urban 
areas, with a higher concentration in less developed regions of the world, developing public 
parks and green spaces is an urgent matter. The situation is no different in the Philippines where 
the urban population increased to more than 50 million in the past five decades. This figure 
1https://worldurbanparks.org/images/Newsletters/IfpraBenefitsOfUrbanParks.pdf 
July 1, 2022
8:00 am
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will balloon to 102 million by year 2050, or more than 65% of the Philippines’ total population, 
according to the Philippines Urbanization Review by the World Bank Group2. 
This National and Local Public Parks Bill is filed. This Bill seeks to establish the 
National and Local Public Parks System in the Philippines by identifying the initial two 
National and Local Public Parks to be under the system: the historical Rizal Park and the Paco 
Park both located in the City of Manila. The Bill also mandates identification and establishment 
of urban parks, open and green spaces, and recreational areas that shall constitute the National 
and Local Public Parks System by local government units nationwide. 
Lastly, the establishment of the National and Local Public Parks Institute under the 
supervision of the National Public Parks Board shall also pave way for the training and 
education of future generations on park development, urban planning, sustainable tourism and 
environmental protection.   
Immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
HON. CHRISTOPHER V.P. DE VENECIA 
Fourth District, Pangasinan   
2http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/963061495807736752/pdf/114088-REVISED-PUBLIC-Philippines-Urbanization-Review-
Full-Report.pdf 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. _______ 
Introduced by Hon. Christopher V.P. de Venecia
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL PUBLIC PARKS SYSTEM, AND 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR  
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled. 
Chapter 1 - Introductory Sections 
Section 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the "National Parks Act”. 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is the policy of the State to protect and maintain the health 
and well-being of the Filipino people, through the establishment and preservation of parks and 
open spaces. To this end, the State recognizes parks and open spaces as valuable assets, and as 
such: 
a) shall establish the Philippine National Public Parks System aimed  to conserve the
scenery, natural and historic objects, and to provide for their enjoyment in such manner
and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future
generations.
b) shall recognize that parks and open spaces contribute to human health and wellbeing,
social cohesion / identity, tourism, biodiversity, air quality and carbon sequestration,
water management, and cooling the environment.
Sec. 3. Definition of Terms.—  As used in this Act, the following words shall mean: 
a) Administrator – refers to the Chief Executive Officer and Head of the National and
Local Public Parks Authority (NALPA) Secretariat as defined in Sec. of this Act.
b) Board – refers to the NALPA Board as defined in Sec. 5 of this Act.
c) National and Local Public Parks refer to any land laid out as a public garden and/or
used for the purpose of public recreation. This does not refer to national shrines
administered by the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office.
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d) National and Local Public Parks System or the System – refers to the system of parks 
and open spaces as defined under Chapter 4 of this Act. 
e) NIPAS – refers to the National Integrated Protected Areas System as defined in 
Republic Act No. 7586, as amended, or the NIPAS Act. 
f) NPDC – refers to the National Parks Development Committee created by Executive 
Order 30 series of 1963. 
g) NPF or NPFI – refers to the Nayong Pilipino Foundation Inc., a government owned 
and controlled corporation registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission on 
May 7, 1969, as a non-stock, non-profit corporation. Presidential Decree No. 37 
established the Nayong Pilipino Foundation on November 6, 1972. 
h) Protected Areas – refers to the Protected Areas as defined under the NIPAS Act. 
i) Secretariat – refers to the NALPA Secretariat as defined under Sec. 7 of this Act. 
 
Chapter 2 – Establishment of the National and Local Public Parks Authority 
 
Sec. 4. Composition of the Authority. — The Authority shall be composed of the Board and 
the Secretariat.  
  
Sec. 5. Composition of the Board. — The NALPA Board shall be composed of the 
representatives of the following:  
 
Secretary of Tourism   
 
 
 
: 
Chairperson  
Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources  
: 
Co-Chairperson 
[who shall be officially represented by the   
Director of the Biodiversity Management Bureau] 
Secretary of Public Works and Highways 
 
 
: 
Member 
Secretary of the Agriculture  
 
 
 
: 
Member 
Secretary of Interior and Local Government  
 
: 
Member  
Chairperson of the Commission of Higher Education 
: 
Member 
Director-General of the TESDA Secretariat  
 
: 
Member  
 
In addition, the President of the Philippines shall appoint the following members from 
the private sector:  
 
Two representatives, from a recognized professional architectural organization; and 
Two representatives, from the academe, preferably in urban planning and development. 
 
As soon as all the members of the private sector are appointed, they shall so organize 
themselves that the term of office of one-third (1/3) of their number shall expire every year. 
The member from the private sector appointed thereafter to fill vacancies caused by expiration 
of terms shall hold office for three (3) years.  
 
The President of the Philippines may, however, revise the membership of the NALPA 
Board, whenever the President deems it necessary for the effective performance of the Board’s 
functions through an administrative order.  
 
The NALPA Board shall meet at least twice a year, or as frequently as may be deemed 
necessary by its Chairperson. In the absence of the Chairperson, a Co-Chairperson shall 
preside.  The internal rules of the NALPA Board shall be promulgated during its first 
organizational meeting. 


 
  
 
 
The benefits, privileges and emoluments of the Board shall be consistent with existing 
laws and rules.  
 
Sec. 6. Powers and Functions of the Board. — The Authority shall primarily be responsible 
for the National and Local Public Parks System including the establishment of policies, plans 
and programs taking into consideration the following:  
 
a) the State policy declared herein of giving due consideration to the establishment and 
maintenance of national and urban parks, open and green spaces, and recreational 
facilities; 
b) the implementation of the above-mentioned policy requires the coordination and 
cooperation of policies, plans, and programs of different concerned sectors of 
Philippine society; and 
c) equal and active participation of the national government and its appropriate agencies, 
the LGUs, the academe, and the private sector shall be made the rule in order to ensure 
that the National and Local Public Parks System shall be fully established and 
maintained.  
 
The Board, shall have the following powers:  
 
a) Establish minimum quotas for all LGUs for the designation of municipal and city lands 
for public parks, where applicable.  
b) manage the country’s National and Local Public Parks System, and in doing so shall 
guide and assist other government agencies and entities, and the LGUs in the planning, 
establishment, and management of parks that will be included in the System; 
c) promulgate, after due consultation with concerned groups and entities, policies, plans, 
programs and guidelines as may be necessary for the effective implementation of this 
Act and the establishment of the National and Local Public Parks System; 
d) establish and manage the National and Local Public Parks Institute which shall serve 
as the national center for park administration, management, and maintenance training, 
research and development;  
e) in coordination with the Biodiversity Management Bureau, shall make Protected Areas 
accessible to the public for recreational purposes; 
f) organize and constitute standing committees, subsidiary groups, or technical working 
groups for the efficient integration and coordination of local open spaces and urban 
 
parks;  
g) exact reasonable fees and charges for such services provided and trainings conducted 
and retain such earnings for its own use, subject to guidelines promulgated by the 
Authority; 
h) create, when deemed necessary, an Advisory Committee which shall provide expert 
and technical advice to the Board to be chosen from the academe and the private sector: 
Provided, that in case the Advisory Committee is created, the Board is hereby 
authorized to set aside a portion of its appropriation for its operation; and  
i) carry out any and all other functions characteristic of public institutions of similar 
mandate and national scope, in line with prevailing international principles and best 
practices. 
 
Sec. 7. The NALPA Secretariat. — The NALPA Secretariat, an independent agency of the 
executive department, shall have the primary mission of providing pro-active leadership in the 


 
  
 
continuous development of systematic approaches as well as measures to maintain and manage 
the National and Local Public Parks System, and shall have the following functions and 
responsibilities:  
 
a) to establish and maintain a planning process and formulate a national parks 
development plan in which all concerned groups and entities at various levels 
participate;  
b) to provide analytical inputs to policy decision-making of the Authority on allocation of 
resources and institutional roles and responsibilities as shall be embodied in the annual 
national parks plans; 
c) to recommend measures, and implement the same upon approval by the Authority, for 
the effective and efficient implementation of the national parks development plan;  
d) to propose to the Authority the specific allocation of resources for the programs and 
projects it shall undertake pursuant to approved national parks development plan;  
e) to submit to the Authority periodic reports on the progress and accomplishment of work 
programs of implementation of plans and policies; and 
f) to perform such other functions and duties as may be assigned by the Board.  
 
Sec. 8. The Dissolution of NPDC and NFC and Transfer to NALPA Secretariat. — The 
NPDC and NFC are hereby dissolved and all their powers, functions, responsibilities, all 
applicable funds and appropriations, records, assets, and properties are hereby transferred to 
the NALPA Secretariat.  
 
Sec. 9. The NALPA Administrator and Chief Executive Officer. — The NALPA Secretariat 
shall be headed by an Administrator, who shall likewise be a member of the Board. The 
Administrator shall be appointed by the President of the Philippines and shall enjoy the 
benefits, privileges ad emoluments equivalent to the rank of Undersecretary.  
 
As Chief Executive Officer of the Secretariat, the Administrator shall exercise general 
supervision and control over its technical and administrative personnel. The Administrator 
shall have the power to recommend to the Authority the structural organization and the 
personnel complement of the Secretariat. Furthermore, Administrator shall appoint such 
personnel necessary to carry out the objectives, policies and functions of the Authority subject 
to Civil Service laws, rules and regulations.  
 
The Administrator may call upon other instrumentalities or entities of the government 
and nongovernment and civic organizations for assistance in terms of the use of their facilities 
and resources for the management and administration of any park in the System. This authority 
includes the power to call on the Philippine National Police to maintain peace and order in any 
park in the System. 
 
The performance of the functions of the Administrator under this Act shall, in no case, 
result in the diminution of the powers of the LGUs to establish their own parks or develop their 
own open or green spaces.  
 
Sec. 10. Deputy Administrators. — The Administrator shall be assisted by four (4) Deputy 
Administrators for: (i) Research and Development, (ii) National and Local Public Parks 
Operations, (iii) Local Public Parks Operations, and (iv) Park Architecture & Planning. 
 


 
  
 
The Deputy Administrators shall enjoy the benefits, privileges and emoluments 
equivalent to the rank of Assistant Secretary.  
 
Sec. 11. Regional Administrators. — The Regional Administrators shall be under the direct 
control of the Administrator and shall oversee the operations of National and Local Public 
Parks at the regional level.  
The Regional Administrators shall enjoy the benefits, privileges and emoluments 
equivalent to the rank of a Regional Director, and shall provide technical assistance particularly 
to local government units for effective supervision, coordination, and monitoring of national 
and local parks within their localities, and their integration to the National Public Park System. 
 
Sec. 12. Organizational Divisions. — The Secretariat shall have the following Divisions which 
shall be headed by Division Chiefs:  
 
a) Administrative Division 
b) Finance Division  
c) Programs and Public Affairs Division 
d) Internal Audit Division 
e) Security and Safety Division 
f) Information and Communications Technology Division 
g) Cultural & Heritage Preservation Division 
 
The following Divisions shall be headed by the Deputies Administrators: 
 
a) National Public Park Operations & Management  
b) Local Public Park Operations & Management  
c) Research & Development 
d) Park Architecture & Planning  
 
Sec. 13. Personnel Training, Development and Performance Incentives. — The Authority 
shall undertake training and development programs to upgrade the capabilities of its personnel 
in its various functions. Personnel shall be allowed to train or study outside the Institute, in the 
Philippines or abroad, on official time, subject to the needs of the service, upon approval of the 
Administrator. 
 
A system of monetary incentives shall be established to reward the superior 
performance and milestones of professional development on the part of management and 
administrative and technical personnel, subject to approval of the Department of Budget and 
Management and, where applicable, to the Civil Service Commission. 
 
Sec. 14. Consultants and Technical Assistance, Publication and Research. — In pursuing its 
objectives, the Authority is hereby authorized to set aside a portion of its appropriation for the 
hiring of services of qualified consultants, and private organizations for research work and 
publication in the field of national and urban parks, and open and green spaces. It shall avail 
itself of the services of other agencies of the Government as may be required.  
 
Sec. 15. Privileges of the Authority. — In line with the declared policy and the avowed 
purposes of this Act, and to ensure its independence and autonomy, the NALPA Secretariat 
shall be attached solely for budgetary coordination and related purposes to the Office of the 
President. The Secretariat shall: 


 
  
 
 
a) be classified as a National Government Agency, primarily for administrative purposes, 
including receiving its annual budget from the general appropriations of the National 
Government to cover appropriately the entirety of its mandated operations and 
activities; 
b) be considered as higher in level than a Bureau or Bureau-level agency but beneath that 
of a Department or Department-level agency, primarily for administrative purposes as 
to staffing pattern and compensation scales; and 
c) enjoy such privileges and special rules characteristic of both a Government-Owned or 
-Controlled Corporation and a State University or College wherever possible and 
which, in any and all cases, promote the objectives of this Act; and that special rules as 
may be necessary to this effect be formulated and appropriately promulgated by the 
NALPA, the Department of Budget and Management, the Commission on Audit, and 
other concerned agencies. 
 
Chapter 3 – The National Parks Institute 
 
Sec. 16. The Creation of the National Parks Institute. — There is hereby created the National 
Parks Institute of the Philippines which shall be under the supervision of the Board. The 
Institute shall serve as the training and development arm of Authority. The Institute shall be 
headed by a Director. 
 
In coordination with CHED and state universities and colleges, and other private 
universities and institutions, the Institute shall establish a unique training course aimed at 
supporting the purposes of this Act, and shall: 
 
a) formulate and implement training programs for all personnel of NALPA, and of LGUs, 
and other agencies, and private entities and institutions who wish to train with the 
Institute; 
b) formulate and implement select mandatory and specialized courses, and for that 
purpose shall be allowed to issue diplomas and technical certificates under such rules 
as will be coordinated with CHED and TESDA; 
c) develop and implement research and development to support NALPA and for 
educational training programs; and 
d) perform such other related functions as may be prescribed by NALPA and the Board. 
 
 
Chapter 4 – The National Parks System 
 
Sec. 17. Study and Planning of National Parks, Urban Parks, Open Spaces, and 
Recreational-Area Facilities. — Within 3 years from the effectivity of this Act, the Authority 
shall make a comprehensive study of the National Parks, Urban Parks, Open Spaces, and 
Recreational-Area Facilities programs of the national government and the LGUs and of areas 
of land throughout the Philippines that are or may be chiefly valuable as National Parks, Urban 
Parks, Open Spaces, and Recreational-Area Facilities. 
 
The report shall be submitted to the Board who shall be empowered to declare 
specifically identified areas as either National Parks, Urban Parks, Open Spaces, or 
Recreational-Area Facilities. 
 


 
  
 
Sec. 18. Identification of National Parks. —  Notwithstanding any law or proclamation to the 
contrary, the following parks are hereby considered National Parks and shall be under the 
authority of the Authority: (1) the Rizal Park, and the (2) the Paco Park. 
 
The Administrator, and its Provincial Administrators, are strictly mandated to 
investigate, study, and continually monitor areas whose over-all circumstances exhibit qualities 
of national significance and that may have potential to become a NALPA Park. 
 
Sec. 19. Acquisition of Land. – In the exercise of its power under this Act, the Authority 
through the Administrator shall have the power to acquire land and interests in land within the 
boundary of any NALPA Park. In the same manner and for the establishment of an identified 
National Park, the power of eminent domain shall be exercised through the Administrator, or 
by any of its Deputies or Provincial Administrators. 
 
Sec. 20. Creation of Urban Parks and Open Spaces in LGUs. – Within the period provided 
by the Authority, LGUs shall be obliged to identify Urban Parks and Open Spaces within their 
jurisdictions. 
 
Identified areas may either become NALPA Administered Parks or maintain their 
nature as Local Parks at the discretion of the LGU. 
 
The Authority is hereby mandated to enter into cooperative agreements with colleges 
and universities, in partnership with LGUs and other agencies, to establish cooperative study 
units to conduct multi-disciplinary research and develop integrated information products on the 
resources in the NALPA Parks, or the LGU of which the NALPA Park is located for possible 
commercial production or utilization. 
 
Sec. 21. Delineation of Authority and Coverage. - Subject to the IRR and dependent on the 
categorization of the land or an area, a nature reserve or a declared protected area under the 
NIPAS shall continue to be under the jurisdiction of the DENR. All other parks established or 
may be established may be covered under this Act. 
 
Sec. 22. Administration, Management, and Funding of NALPA Parks. – Subject to 
reasonable restrictions under the IRR, the general public are hereby to be granted free 
admission to all NALPA Parks. However, the Authority may levy appropriate fees to special 
activities or programs.  
 
Sec. 23. Retention of Income. – The Authority is hereby authorized to retain the entirety of its 
income from all sources of its operations nationwide, and to spend the same for any purpose. 
 
Sec. 24. The NALPA Fund. – The NALPA Fund is hereby established, to be 
managed/administered by the Authority, the income from which shall be utilized exclusively 
in awarding of grants and providing assistance to park development programs, local 
government units for upgrading their capabilities, and to develop and implement training and 
training-related activities for park development. The contribution to the fund shall be the 
following:  
 
a) a one-time lump sum appropriation from the National Government in the amount of 
P100,000,000.00;  


 
  
 
b) donations, grants, endowments, and other bequests or gifts of which the Authority is 
hereby authorized to accept, and  
c) any other income generated by the Authority.  
 
The Authority shall be the administrator of the fund, and as such, shall formulate the 
necessary implementing guidelines for the management of the fund, subject to the following: 
a) unless otherwise stipulated by the private donor, only earnings of private contributions shall 
be used; and b) no part of the seed capital of the fund, including earnings, thereof, shall be used 
to underwrite expenses for administration.  
 
The Board shall appoint a reputable government-accredited investment institution as 
fund manager, subject to guidelines promulgated by the Board.  
 
Sec. 25. Incentives Schemes. — The Authority shall develop and administer appropriate 
incentives schemes to encourage the LGUs and private industries and institutions to participate 
in the development of the National Parks System. 
 
Sec. 26. Parks and Green Spaces Awards. — To promote parks development in the country 
and with the view of participating in international park development competitions, the 
Authority, with the active participation of private industries, shall organize and conduct annual 
Parks and Green Spaces Awards. The Authority, through the Secretariat, shall promulgate the 
necessary rules and guidelines for the effective and efficient conduct of Annual National Parks 
and Green Spaces Competition among the LGUs and for the country’s participation in 
international park development competitions.  
  
Sec. 27. Exemption from Taxes, Duties, Fees and Charges. – The Authority shall be exempt 
from the payment of taxes, fees and charges imposed by the National Government and its 
political subdivisions, agencies and instrumentalities regardless of the nature of its activity. 
 
All donations in any form shall be exempt from the donor’s tax and the same shall be 
considered as allowable deduction from the gross income in the computation of the income tax 
of the donor, in accordance with the provisions of Republic Act No. 8424, otherwise known as 
the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended. 
 
Furthermore, importation of supplies and materials for the use of the Authority shall be 
exempt from customs duties. 
 
Sec. 28. Commercial Operations of and inside of NALPA Parks. – The Authority shall be 
authorized to undertake commercial operations, the proceeds of which shall be credited to the 
NALPA Fund: 
 
a) The rental of dedicated areas for external events, functions and similar activities; 
b) The lease of dedicated areas for the erection and operation of commercial 
establishments inside NALPA Parks, which NALPA shall be allowed to award, through 
public bidding, and giving preference to nonprofit organizations of a nature related to 
or supportive of its mandate, for a term of up to five (5) years per contract; 
c) The production and/or licensing of official merchandise; 
d) The award of concession contracts when the Authority shall utilize concession contracts 
to authorize a person, corporation, or other entity to provide accommodations, facilities, 
and services to visitors or users of NALPA Parks. 


 
  
 
 
Sec. 29. Contracted Services. – Then Authority is authorized to contract out services for Park 
Management and Safety and Security Services. 
 
Chapter 5 – Miscellaneous Provisions 
 
Sec. 30.  NALPA Budget. – The amount necessary to finance the initial implementation of this 
Act shall be charged against the existing appropriations of the NPDC and the NPF, and shall 
be supported by funds coming from the Office of the President. Thereafter, such funds as may 
be necessary for the continued implementation of this Act shall be included in the annual 
General Appropriations Act.  
 
Sec. 31. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – Within 180 days from the effectivity of this 
Act, the Administrator shall submit to the Board the implementing rules and regulations of this 
Act upon prior consultation with all concerned groups and entities.  
 
Sec. 32. Transitory Provisions. –  
 
a) Within two (2) months after the approval of this Act, the President shall, in consultation 
with the Secretary of Tourism appoint the private sector representatives of the Board.  
b) Within three (3) months after the appointment of the private sector representatives, 
the President shall, upon the recommendation of the Board, appoint the Administrator.  
c) Within four (4) months after the appointment of the Administrator, the Board shall 
convene to determine the organizational structure and staffing pattern of the Authority.  
d) Within one (1) year after the organization of the Authority, the Board shall commission 
an expert group on funding schemes for the NALPA Fund, as provided in Section 24, 
the results of which shall be used as the basis for appropriate action by the Board.  
e) Upon the effectivity of this Act, and prior to the appointment of the Board and the 
Administrator, the heads and personnel of both NPDC and the NPF shall continue to 
exercise their functions and duties, in holdover capacity, and shall ensure the smooth 
transition to the Board and the Administrator. 
f) All personnel of the NPDC and NPF are hereby deemed retired from service. 
Retirement and separation benefits shall be paid under existing rules and regulations. 
g) The Authority may on its discretion retain any personnel of NPDC and NPF it deems 
necessary to carry out its purpose and function. 
h) The ownership and title to the properties now actually occupied by the NPF and NPDC 
are hereby transferred in fee simple to the Authority, subject to the following 
conditions: 
1) The titles to the land conveyed by this Act shall not be transferred by the Authority 
to another person or entity without previous authorization by the President of the 
Philippines. 
2) The Authority is hereby authorized to mortgage any properties referred to above for 
the purpose of carrying out its objectives and purposes only; and 
3) In case the Authority is dissolved or ceases, for any reason, to undertake its 
objectives, or ceases to need any of the lands for any reason, said land shall ipso 
facto revert to the National Government without compensation. 
 
Sec. 33. Automatic Review. — Every five (5) years, after the effectivity of this Act, an 
independent review panel composed of three (3) persons appointed by the President shall 


 
  
 
review the performance of the Authority and shall make recommendations, based on its 
findings to the President and to both Houses of Congress.  
 
Sec. 34. Repealing Clause. – All laws, presidential decrees or issuances, executive orders, 
letters of instruction, administrative orders, rules or regulation inconsistent with the provisions 
of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
 
Sec. 35. Separability Clause. – If any provision of this Act is declared unconstitutional, the 
remainder of this Act or any provision not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect. 
 
Sec. 36. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after the publication in the 
Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
 
Approved.