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

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No,__242

Introduced by: REPRESENTATIVE ANTONIO “TONYPET” T. ALBANO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to unify, coordinate, fund, implement, and
strengthen all corn research and development (R&D) as well as
manpower training and extension of technologies on corn and corn-
based farming systems for the production of more food, feeds, forage,
industrial materials, and bioenergy purposes, including those
subsequent (or rotation) crops that are grown after rice in rainfed farms
and in dryland and marginal upland farms in the country through the
establishment of a national agency - the Philippine Corn Research
Institute or Philcorn.

To ensure the country’s food, feeds, forage, and bioenergy
security, it is imperative to develop a modern, highly productive,
efficient and competitive agriculture sector. A comprehensive program.
to modernize and industrialize corn production is integral to the
realization of the vision for a modern, highly productive, efficient and
competitive agriculture sector. It would also immensely contribute to
improving and expanding employment and livelihood opportunities and
thus, reduce poverty and hunger, particularly in the rural areas.


Identifying target areas and considering the vulnerable upland and
dryland agro-ecosystems where many of the resource-poor farmers,
particularly the corn farmers, grow their food and feed crops, including
poultry and livestock is imperative toward these ends.

Corn is the second most important national food crop next to rice.
It is the staple food of 20 percent (20%) of the Philippine population. It
is also the main component of up to 75% of formulated feeds for
livestock, poultry, and aquaculture fishery. Corn is grown mainly in
rainfed farms after rice is harvested, and in upland and dryland farms,
including steep hillsides, in over 2.5 million hectares, mostly in
Mindanao, Cagayan Valley, Ilocos Region, Central Luzon, Central
Visayas, and Palawan.

The current national grain yield in various ecological regions is
still low, ranging from 0.5 to 2.5 tons per hectare in resource-poor areas.
That yields can be as high as 6 to 10 tons for hybrid corn varieties in a
few favorable farm environments encourage confidence that there are

bright prospects in further increasing corn yields in other farm sites.

The country needs to improve the overall productivity to achieve
self-sufficiency, to stabilize food security and nutrition among our rural

population and to increase farm incomes.

The demand for both white corn as human food and yellow corn
as animal feeds and for industrial uses have been increasing rapidly
because of the high demand of our growing human population, the
expanding livestock and poultry industries, and the rapid growth of the
emerging industrial and bioenergy program (RA 9367, The Biofuels Act
of 2006) designed to augment imports of fossil-based fuel as energy
source. Thus, targeting the export markets over the medium- and long-

term view is also a viable prospect.


Low crop yields and household income of majority of corn farmers
in the rainfed, upland, and dryland farms are still far below those
obtained in experiment stations because of the following factors and
situations:

1. Limited access of farmers to and adoption of genetically improved
seeds;

2. Inadequate information and use of integrated nutrient and pest
management (isystems; [1

3. Slow adoption of crop rotation technologies; 1
4. Ineffective drought mitigation approaches; (1

5. Inadequate mechanization of field operations from land
preparation to harvesting Nand drying, U

6. Large portions of the corn-growing areas are hilly land with highly
variable soil (fertility; and

7. Many farms are prone to drought due to erratic rainfall pattern

and therefore (irrigation facilities should be installed

Of the major crops other than rice that support the national
economy, corn and corn-based farming systems (including crops
planted after corn such as grain legumes) are the most neglected in
research support with an allocation of less than 0.05 percent of the
gross value added (GVA) compared to rice at 0.25 percent, coconut at
0.30 percent, and sugarcane at 0.5 percent.

The Philippines has more than three million hectares of upland
and dryland areas inhabited by about five million households, most of
whom are very poor especially those in Southern Mindanao, Central
and Eastern Visayas, parts of Western Luzon, Palawan, and the Bicol

Region.

Recurrent droughts and typhoons, environmental degradation
due to short-duration and erratic rainfall, recurring El Nino and


climate change phenomenon, soil infertility and inaccessibility of high
quality crop seeds aggravate the low productivity and untold
hardships of poor corn farming communities.

The millions of degraded lands and infertile soils in the upland
and dryland areas without irrigation facilities, however, comprise an
untapped potential resource for the growing of drought-tolerant corn
and corn-based cropping systems such as, for example, sorghum and
grain legumes for food and feeds. However, when properly managed,
these crops will help ensure household food security and sustainable
farm productivity.

In the Philippines, there are well established research
institutes devoted to major crops and disciplines such as: rice,
coconut, sugarcane, fiber and abaca, cotton, silkworm, tobacco, root
crops, biotechnology, plant breeding, crop protection, farming systems,
irrigation, carabao, dairy, fishery, hogs, farm mechanization and post

harvest, and other strategic commodities and disciplines.

There is no similar research institute for corn and corn-based
farming systems that includes crops such as sorghum and grain
legumes that are important as food, feed, forage, and fuel.

It is imperative to establish the Philippine Corn Research
Institute (PhilCorn) now!

Globalization and climate change require that the country
continuously develops cutting-edge technology and agricultural
innovations that enable corn farmers to increase their income by
increasing the productivity and quality of their produce through modern
farm planting, harvesting, processing, and packaging systems and
techniques for both the domestic and global markets.


The proposed modern agricultural research and extension
institute for corn — The Philippine Corn Research Institute (PhilCorn)
is a strategically imperative step toward achieving these ends because

it is designed to :

1.

Unify, coordinate, fund, implement, and strengthen all
national and farm-level efforts on Research & Development,
Extension (RDE) for corn and corn-based farming systems
for food, feeds, forage, and fuel; 0

Hasten technology sharing activities that will improve the
livelihood of resource- poor farming communities and
empower them to cope up with low yields owing to frequent
occurrences of drought, warming temperatures, land
degradation, and other risks arising from environmental
calamities and climate changes;

Ensure adequate and stable supply of quality corn products
for domestic and foreign markets, and 0

Improve the economic condition and income of farmers in
the upland and dryland regions of the country. 0

That our province, Isabela, is one of the major corn producing

provinces in the country, and the Isabela State University (ISU) is the

proposed primary site of the Institute further underscores the

paramount significance of this bill to our constituents and to the

advancement of our development efforts in the farming sector in our

province.

In view of the foregoing, and in order to improve farm incomes,

expand opportunities for employment and livelihood particularly in the

rural areas, and ensure national food sufficiency and security, the

immediate approval of this bill is imperative.

he BE, “TONYPET” T. ALBANO


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

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 242

Introduced by REPRESENTATIVE ANTONIO “TONYPET” T. ALBANO

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE PHILIPPINE CORN RESEARCH INSTITUTE AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

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

SECTION 1. Short Title. This Act shall be known as the ‘Philippine
Corn Research Institute Act of 2020.’

1

2

3

4 SEC. 2. Philippine Corn Research Institute. The Philippine Corn
5 Research Institute, hereinafter referred to as PhilCorn, is hereby established
6 as a body corporate attached to the Department of Agriculture (DA) to
7 modernize the corn industry and consequently improve the livelihood and
8 household income of resource-poor corn farmers in the rain-fed, upland, and
9 dry-land farming communities and to empower farmers with the tools of
10 science and technologies so that they can cope up with problems of low yields,
11 droughts, floods, land degradation, global warming, and other risks arising
12 from environmental and climate changes.

13

14 SEC. 3. Objectives. The objectives and goals of this Act are as follows:
15 a) To develop and implement a strong, dynamic, and innovative

16 farmer-centered and need-based national corn research and

17 development, technology sharing, training, and extension

18 programs;

19

20 —-b) To strengthen the national capacity for corn research and

21 extension, modernize production and utilization as well as

22 industrial processing of corn and corn-based crops, diversify


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harvests through sequential crops to sustain soil health and
fertility and thus enhance long-term higher productivity and
household income;

°)

To work closely with regulatory agencies such as the Bureau of
Plant Industry (BPI); the Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries
Standards (BAFS); and private stakeholders and Non-Government
Organization (NGOs) in the collection, conservation, and utilization
of endemic or traditional corn varieties as well as in the
experimentation, planting, and monitoring of corn hybrid and
genetically engineered varieties;

d) To improve the livelihood and economic conditions of small-scale
and resource-poor farmers who are growing corn after rice as well
as in upland and dry-land farming ecosystems;

e)

To develop and implement sustainable and environment-friendly
corn and corn-based farming systems in the vulnerable and
marginal areas like sloping terrains and evaluate those areas where
crops other than corn may be more appropriate to grow;

f) To gather and provide reliable, up-to-date data to guide policy
makers with regard to corn improvement and development, import
and export volumes, and develop strong linkages among
stakeholders in promoting the national corn industry;

To expand employment opportunities through corn and corn-based
farming systems in the rural areas, and ultimately promote the
general welfare of the people through higher efficiency and
profitability in production, industrial products development,
processing, and marketing;

8)

h) To initiate and undertake such other related programs in
consultation and partnership with the DA-Bureau of Agricultural
Research (DA-BAR), the DA regional research centers (DA-RIARCs),
the DOST-Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic Resources
and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD),
State Universities and Colleges (SUCs), and the private sector.

SEC. 4. Principal and Regional Offices. The PhilCorn shall have its
principal office at the Isabela State University or at any other suitable site as
the Board of Trustees may decide. It may also establish other offices,
branches, satellite offices, or subsidiaries in any geographically suitable region


in the Philippines that are major producers of corn, as may be necessary for
the accomplishment of its purposes and objectives.

SEC. 5. Duties and Functions. The PhilCorn shall exercise the
following duties and functions:

a) Unify, plan, fund, conduct, monitor, and evaluate corn research,
development, and technology promotion in different scientific and
technological fields and programs, including but not limited to the
following thrusts: (1) germplasm collection, conservation, breeding,
and biotechnology; (2) natural resources management, watershed
conservation, drought adaptation and mitigation; (3) com
engineering, farm mechanization, and post-harvest management;
(4) pest surveillance, early warning system, integrated pest
management, and biological control methods; (5) socio-economics,
impact assessment, and policy advocacy; (6) technology packaging
and demonstration, promotion and deployment, training and
communication; (7) processing and industrial-chemical products
development; and (8) corn-based farming systems, farm
management improvement, and experiment station development.

Dd)

Unify, lead, fund, and coordinate a national network of corn and
corn-based farming systems research and extension agencies,
centers, and stations located in the different agro-ecological regions
of the country where corn is a major crop;

°)

Develop technologies suitable for the rain-fed, upland, and dry-land
agro-ecosystems that will maximize the productivity and quality of
locally grown corn and corn-based crops while also reducing
production costs and ensuring long-term and sustainable corn and
corn-based production systems through genetic improvement and
environmental resources and conservation measures;

d) Enhance income of corn farmers by developing suitable corn-based
crops and livestock farming systems as well as crop rotations where
applicable; value-adding corn technologies including on-farm
verification, processing, packaging, marketing, and promotion of
economically viable technologies as well as entrepreneurial skills,
giving emphasis on those aspects necessary for group endeavors of
small-scale farmers, cooperatives, and seed growers;

Develop databases needed in the identification and preparation of
necessary policy recommendations towards efficient, highly
productive and competitive corn industry and corn-based farming

e)


OCONOHERON=

systems through appropriate socio-economic measures and public-
private sector mobilization and participation;

f) Organize and develop strong training and communication programs
for com and corn-based farming systems scientists, research
managers, and extension specialists to enable them undertake
effective and timely technology promotion of packaged technologies
among clusters of farmers and corporate growers by utilizing
modern extension systems such as information, education, and
communication technology and participatory social mobilization
procedures; and

Publish and disseminate research and extension findings and
recommendations through scientific journals, books, technical and
extension bulletins, videos, and other print and communication
channels.

8)

SEC. 6. Corporate Powers. The PhilCorn shall exercise the following
corporate powers:

a) To adopt and use a corporate seal;

b) To sue and be sued in its corporate name;

©) To have perpetual existence unless a law provides otherwise;

d) To adopt its by-laws and promulgate such rules and regulations as
may be necessary or proper to implement this Act, and to amend or

repeal the same from time to time;

e)

To enter into, make and execute contracts and agreements of any
kind or nature;

f) To borrow funds and obtain loans from all sources, whether local or
foreign and whether government or private, to help finance its
research programs and its capital and operating expenditures, or
support to farmer entrepreneurial activities;

To invest in, purchase or otherwise acquire, own, lease, mortgage,
pledge, sell, assign, convey, exchange, encumber, borrow, or
otherwise deal in real and/or personal properties of whatever kind
and nature, or any interest therein, including shares of stock,
bonds, notes, securities, and other evidences of indebtedness of
natural or juridical persons, whether domestic or foreign and

8)


h)

a)

whether government or private, as may be useful, necessary or
proper to serve the objectives of this Act;

To receive and acquire from any person, government and private
entities, whether foreign or domestic, or from any corporation,
partnership, association or other entity such characters, licenses,
franchises, rights, privileges, concessions, assistance, grants,
donations, loans, and contributions consisting of such properties,
real or personal, including funds and valuable effects, as may be
useful, necessary or proper to finance PhilCorn’s research, capital
and operating expenditures or otherwise carry out its purposes and
objectives, and to administer the same in accordance with the
terms and agreement consistent with its purposes and objectives;
and

To acquire from the government, whether national or local or from
any person, corporation, partnership, association or other entity,
such characters, franchises, rights, privileges, assistance, financial
or otherwise and concessions as may be conducive to and
necessary or proper for the attainment of the purposes and
objectives of the PhilCorn.

SEC. 7. Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees, hereinafter referred

to as the Board, shall exercise all the corporate functions and powers of the
PhilCorn and shall control all its businesses, activities, and properties,
composed of the following:

‘The Board shall be composed of the Secretary of Agriculture or his
designate as ex-officio Chairperson and fourteen (14) members from
the following agencies and sectors:

1. Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology
(DOST) who will act as Co-Chairperson;

2. Director of the Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) who will
act as Vice-Chairperson;

3. Undersecretary for Operations of the Department of
Agriculture (DA);

4. Undersecretary of the Department of Budget and Management
(DBM);

5. Undersecretary of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR);


6. Director of the Agriculture Division of the National Economic
and Development Authority (NEDA);

7. Director of the DA-Philippine Council for Agriculture and
Fisheries (DA-PCAF);

8. Director-General of the Technical Education and Skills Development
Authority (TESDA);

9. Three (3) University Presidents from the State Universities and
Colleges representing major corn producing and corn-based
agriculture regions, one each from Luzon, Visayas and
Mindanao;

10. Four (4) private sector representatives, one each from:
a. corn farmers;
b. farmers’ organizations, associations or federations;
c. private companies engaged in corn research and seed
production; and
d. livestock/poultry industry

1

=)

. Two (2) distinguished scientists from the public and private
sectors.

The credentials of private sector representatives shall be

evaluated and scrutinized by competent members of the Board.

b) The term of office of the members of the Board who are heads or

to)

officials from their respective agencies or institutions shall be co-
terminus with their respective appointments; Provided, however,
That the term of office of the Regional Executive Director who
represents the DA-RFOs where corn is a major crop and the four (4)
private sector representatives shall be for five years without
prejudice to a reappointment for another five years based on merits
and excellent performance in the Board. The PhilCom Executive
Director shall serve as Secretary of the Board. All government
officials in the Board shall serve as ex-officio members and shall not
receive any salary or compensation.

The Chairperson, Co-Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, and members
of the Board shall receive per diem, as the Board may determine,
for each Board meeting actually attended; Provided, however, That
such members shall also be entitled to reimbursable transportation


da)

and representation allowances in going to and coming from board
meetings and in transacting official business for the Institute.

The Board shall meet regularly at least once (1) every quarter or as
often as the exigencies of the service demands. The presence of the
Chairperson, Co-Chairperson or Vice-Chairperson and at least
seven (7) members of the Board shall constitute a quorum and the
majority vote of the members present, there being a quorum, shall
be necessary for the adoption of any resolution, rule, regulation,
decision or any other act of the Board.

SEC. 8. Powers and Functions of the Board. The PhilCorn Board

shall exercise the following powers and functions:

a) To adopt by-laws and promulgate policies, rules and regulations,

and procedures for the efficient and effective operation of the
Institute;

b) To define and guide the formulation of the vision, mission, strategy,

and research-extension priorities, general plans and programs,
policies, procedures, and guidelines for the proper operation and
management of the PhilCorn in accordance with its purposes and
objectives;

c) To approve the PhilCorn’s organizational structure and staffing

pattern, operation and capital expenditures, and financial budget
prepared in accordance with its corporate plans;

d) To approve the plantilla and salary ranges, benefits, privileges,

8

f

bonuses, scholarship and manpower development, housing
facilities and support to staff, and other terms and conditions of
service, including promotion systems similar to those in the State
Universities and Colleges and the Department of Science and
Technology (DOST) as well as life and medical insurances and
retirement schemes or benefits for all officers and employees of the
PhilCorn, upon recommendation of the Executive Director;

To appoint, promote, transfer, suspend, remove or otherwise
discipline any subordinate officer or employee of the Institute, upon
recommendation of the Executive Director;

To seek financial support from foreign donors such as Japan
International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Korea International
Cooperation Agency (KOICA), Australian Agency for International


Development (AusAID), US Agency for International Development
(USAID) and similar institutions for the establishment and
improvement of PhilCorn infrastructures, laboratory facilities, field
experiment station development, and training/scholarship of
qualified personnel.

g) To create such committee or committees and appoint the members
thereof, as may be necessary and proper for the management of the
PhilCorn or for the attainment of its purposes and objectives; and

h) To exercise such other powers and functions and perform such
other acts as may be necessary or proper for the attainment of the
purposes and objectives of the PhilCorn, or as may be delegated by
the Secretary of Agriculture or any competent authority through the
Board of Trustees.

SEC. 9. Executive Director and Other Officers. The PhilCorn shall be
headed by an Executive Director who shall be appointed by the President of
the Philippines, upon recommendation of The Board, based on the findings
and recommendations of a Search Committee duly organized and
commissioned by the Board for such purpose.

a) The Executive Director shall serve for a term of five (5) years,
subject to a one term extension of five (5) years for very meritorious
performance, or a maximum total of ten (10) years without further
extension for any reason whatsoever; Provided, however, That there
shall be a reserved plantilla position of the same salary rate for the
outgoing Executive Director, if he is previously a holder of a
plantilla position at PhilCorn and shall not yet be of retirement age
at the end of his term as Executive Director; Provided, further, That
the Board of Trustees, through a Search Committee duly organized
at least four (4) months earlier, shall have chosen a new Executive
Director who shall immediately assume office during a turn-over
ceremony on the expiration date of the term of office of the outgoing
Executive Director; Provided, finally, that no Officer-in-Charge shall
be designated as head of the Institute.

b) The Executive Director shall be assisted by two Deputy Executive
Directors, Division Heads, and Branch Station Directors or
Managers as the Board may determine, to carry out the purposes
and objectives of the PhilCorn.


SEC. 10. Powers, Functions, and Duties of the Executive Director.
The Executive Director shall be directly responsible to the Board and shall
have the following powers, functions, and duties:

a) To exercise dynamic leadership, create a vision, map out the
mission, provide strategic direction, and undertake systematic
supervision over the planning and implementation of all research,
development, technology sharing programs, training and extension,
upgrading of scientists and staff of the Institute and, in general,
administer and direct the management and operation in a
transparent and corrupt-free administration of the PhilCorn;

b) To execute all contracts, incur obligations, acquire and dispose of
assets, and deliver documents on behalf of the PhilCorn within the
framework of the authority delegated by the Board;

c) To implement and enforce policies, decisions, orders, rules, and
regulations that are promulgated or adopted by the Board;

d) To arrange for the conduct of an External Program and
Management Review (EPMR) by a Panel of Experts every 5 years or
as often as necessary in order to understand the output and impact
of PhilCorn programs to the farmers and stakeholders of the corn
industry and to provide guidance to management in charting the
future of the institute; and

e) To exercise such other powers and functions and performs such
other duties as may be authorized, assigned, or delegated by the
Board.

SEC. 11. Technical Advisory Committee. A Technical Advisory
Committee (TAC), organized and approved by the Board, shall assist the
Executive Director, Di ion heads, Program Directors, and Branch Station
Directors or Managers in pursuing inter-agency activities and participation of
the national research, development, and extension network. The TAC shall be
composed of not more than nine (9) members, or as the Board may designate,
who are heads, representatives, or scientists and experts of agencies,
government or private, that are actively involved in any critical aspect of com
research, corn-based farming systems, seed quality certification, training and
extension, production and processing, marketing and consumption, policy
advocacy, and capacity building. TAC members may be assigned to assist
specific programs, divisions, or branch stations as the services may require in
achieving the goals and objectives of PhilCorn.



SEC. 12. Services of Government Personnel. The PhilCorn may, for
the purpose of its research, development, training, and extension activities,
obtain and secure the services of scholars and scientists as well as specialists
in research, training, extension, and communication of any unit, experiment
station, institute or center of the Department of Agriculture, University of
Southern Mindanao, Central Mindanao University, Visayan State University,
University of the Philippines Los Banos, Mariano Marcos State University,
Isabela State University, Central Luzon State University, and other agencies
and universities of the national government and foreign institutions. Those
personnel of national and international reputations, from public or private
institutions, shall be designated as visiting scientists and research fellows for
a term of one year to five years to assist in conducting major research
problems of strategic importance and consequences in pursuing the goals and
objectives of the Institute. The selected personnel may be paid such honoraria
or incentives acceptable to all concerned and as may be fixed and authorized
by the Board.

SEC. 13. Buildings, Facilities, and Equipment. The PhilCorn is
hereby authorized to own, acquire, borrow, lease, plan, and construct or repair
buildings, laboratories, experimental farms, and other facilities as may be
necessary or proper to attain its purposes and objectives. It may also utilize
facilities of any unit of any cooperating State Universities and Colleges, the
Department of Agriculture, and of the national government that is engaged,
directly or indirectly, in activities that relate to agriculture, farming systems,
corn production or products development of the corn industry.

a) The PhilCorn is further authorized to purchase equipment, materials
and articles, either locally or abroad, as may be necessary or proper
to carry out its powers and functions and attain its purposes and
objectives. It shall be exempted from the payment of any and all
forms of taxes, duties, fees and charges on any and all such
importation of equipment, materials, articles, and services;
Provided, however, That the same are not available locally on
favorable terms.

b)

The PhilCorn shall be authorized to expropriate lands for corn and
corn-based farming systems research and development purposes
provided that just compensation is paid to the owners of the land. If
the land belongs to the government or is inalienable, the Institute is
granted automatic title to the land.

°)

Likewise, all lands, farms, plantations, whether directly or indirectly
owned, used, utilized or administered by the PhilCorn and those
that it may hereinafter acquire or utilize for research, training,

10


extension and technology demonstration, and seed production
purposes shall be exempted from the coverage of the
Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law.

SEC. 14. Appropriation. The Four Hundred Million Pesos (P400M) initial
fund necessary for the implementation of this Act shall be set aside from any
available funds of the National Treasury, not otherwise appropriated.
‘Thereafter, such sums necessary for the continued operation of the Philippine
Corn Research Institute shall be included in the annual General
Appropriations Act (GAA).

All funds, savings, grants, and income of the PhilCorn shall constitute a
revolving fund, to be managed as a Trust Fund, and shall be considered part
of the funds automatically released to the PhilCorn.

SEC. 15. Applicability of Civil Service Laws. The PhilCorn and its
officers and employees shall be subject to the Civil Service Law, rules and
regulations; Provided, however, That all technical personnel shall be selected
on the basis of the highest possible standards of merit and fitness for public
officials and employees, preferably those with postgraduate degrees, to be
determined in accordance with such policies and guidelines as may be
approved by the Board.

SEC. 16. Legal Counsel. The Government Corporate Counsel shall be
the Legal Counsel of the PhilCorn; Provided, however, That the PhilCorn may
establish its own legal unit, subject to the supervision and control of the
Government Corporate Counsel, to handle the day-to-day legal matters
affecting the affairs of the PhilCorn.

SEC. 17. Annual Report. The Board shall submit to the President of
the Philippines through the Secretary of Agriculture an annual report, together
with the audit report on the relevant accounts, generally dealing with the
activities and operations of the PhilCorn.

SEC. 18. Separability Clause. If any provision of this Act is declared
invalid or unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected by such
declaration shall remain in full force and effect.

SEC. 19. Repealing Clause. All laws, executive orders, administrative

orders, and rules and regulations inconsistent with this Act are hereby
repealed or amended accordingly.

1


1 SEC. 20. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
2 publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general
3 circulation.

Approved,

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