Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No,_6452

envy

Introduced by HON. ALETA C. SUAREZ

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The 1987 Constitution mandates the maintenance of peace and order, protection
of life, liberty, and property, and the promotion of the general welfare for enjoyment of
the blessings of democracy by all the people and the importance of widespread rural
development.

Ina study done by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Metro Manila ranked as
the most congested city in Asia. Recent estimates have pegged the population in the
area at 12.8 million. Traffic congestion is a primary problem bewailed by residents in
cities within and nearby the National Capital Region (NCR). Corollarily, experts have
warned that Metro Manila is sinking at a rate of around 10 centimeters per year. Reports
indicate that some areas in Metro Manila have sunk 27-53 inches or nearly 4 and a half
feet, from 1979 to 2009, and continues to sink. For many years, Metro Manila has been
prone to frequent flooding which paralyzes many of day-to-day operations in
government and businesses of private entities in the area.

The lamentable situation in Metro Manila has negatively affected the welfare of
Filipinos, especially the residents, employees, and workers in the area. There were
reports of people dying inside ambulances stuck in the middle of EDSA, numerous
vehicular collisions, and delayed delivery of goods and services caused by the
worsening traffic congestion. The Metro traffic has reportedly led to significant


‘economic losses. The Japan International Cooperation Agency estimated that if traffic
congestion continues to worsen, it may lead to Php5.4 billion losses each day by 2035.

The ADB study suggested that relocating national government agencies may
ease traffic congestion in the NCR and likewise promote development in rural areas .
Transferring the government center to the countryside shall relieve Metro Manila of
congestion and overpopulation, thereby improving the delivery of basic goods and
services. A new government center where agencies will be located close to each other
shall improve coordination and communication between government entities, reduce
bureaucratic red tape, and ensure swift delivery of public service. The Municipality of
General Nakar in Quezon provides adequate space to contain the new government
center. The area will allow government agencies to establish their offices and maximize
the space for more efficient operations.

To complement the objective of decongesting Metro Manila and securing
sustainable and efficient delivery of public services, the bill also provides incentives to
employees and businesses which will follow and relocate near the new government
center. The establishment of this new government center shall serve as a stimulus for
rural development. Economic enterprises, corporations, and other businesses are
encouraged to transfer to areas near the new government center to facilitate ease of
doing business and prevent unnecessary delay and bureaucracy in government
transactions. New residential settlements are also expected to be established in nearby
areas. With this comes the opportunity for strategic urban and rural planning, thereby
fully maximizing the potential of the countryside, promoting development and
effecting equitable distribution of economic opportunities.

In accordance with this constitutional mandate of the State to make efforts
towards development, transferring national government agencies and government
owned and controlled corporations shall be an immense enhancement to our country’s
economy and capability.

In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

EZ

Quezon Province

* Metro Manila most congested city in Asia, says ADB. (2019, October 1). Retrieved from
tps: fw. manilatimes.net/2019110101Vopinion/editorial metro-manila-most-congestd-city-in-asi-says-adb1624279/ on November 13,2019


WILFRIDO Tee

Representative
First District, Quezon Province

ANNA MARIE VIL¥A\ -SUAREZ
Representative
ALONA Partylist


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill A

Introduced by HON. ALETA C. SUAREZ

AN ACT
TRANSFERRING THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT CENTERS TO GENERAL
NAKAR, QUEZON PROVINCE, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR,
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “New Government Center Act”.

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to
protect and promote the welfare of Filipinos by streamlining the delivery of
government services and providing access to these basic services. To this end, it is
imperative for the government to take necessary measures that will empower
communities with access to basic government services and to free the people from the
unnecessary bureaucratic layers. The State shall ensure efficient transactions and
operations by bringing government services to the people in one area to maximize and
save time and resources. The new national government center shall include the
Executive Offices, the Senate, the House of Representatives, the Supreme Court and
other national offices of the Judiciary, other national government agencies, and
Government Owned and Controlled Corporations.

Furthermore, it is the policy of the State to promote rural development. The State shall
hereby provide incentives to encourage establishment and relocation of residential
settlements and new business centers in the adjacent municipalities.

SECTION 3. is
Government Agencies - There shall be a new government center established in the
municipality of General Nakar, Quezon Province. All national government agencies


including Government Owned and Controlled Corporations (GOCCs) located in the
National Capital Region (NCR) shall be transferred to this new government center.

The non-critical functions of these NGAs and GOCCs, such as, but not limited to,
personnel, transportation, accounting, payroll, human resources, among others shall be
given priority in the transfer.

These offices/agencies/corporations should be fully functioning in General
Nakar, Quezon within one (1) year after the approval of the Implementing Rules and
Regulations (IRR), unless stated otherwise, and as approved.

SECTION 4. Transition Commission. - There shall be a Transition Commission
composed of representatives from the Civil Service Commission, Department of Budget
and Management, Department of Finance, Department of Interior and Local
Government, Department of Transportation, Department of Public Works and
Highways and the local government of General Nakar, Quezon, which shall be
established upon the effectivity of this Act. The Transition Commission shall have the
following functions:

a. serve as oversight committee for the transfer and transition of the agencies
and government corporations;

b. determine capabilities of the agencies and corporations to transfer to
General Nakar and prescribe measures to continue or dismiss from
transfer;

c. develop and approve necessary transfer and transition requirements and
conditions of government agencies and corporations. These include
boundaries of the new government center, possible modes of transfer,
safety measures, and labor standards;

d. determine allowable incentives pursuant to Section 5 of this Act.

SECTION 5.
a. Employee benefits - Government employees, before the agreed upon
transition and transfer of their respective offices to General Nakar,
Quezon, shall be provided with transportation, education, health and
housing assistance upon agreement to transfer, without prejudice to
previously acquired standard and _specific-purpose allowances,
agreements, and benefits upon original employment.

‘An employee has the option to be transferred to an attached agency
and/or office of their respective agencies within NCR. The option for a
special voluntary severance package and an exemption from certain


Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) pension requirements for
the early separation of government employees is also allowed.

Employees transferred to General Nakar, Quezon within the prescribed
period shalll be subjected to special bonuses and incentives for compliance
through its inclusion in the annual General Appropriations Act.

b. Business incentives - Domestic and foreign corporations which will also
establish and transfer their principal or branch offices, factories, or
warehouses in General Nakar and in nearby municipalities in Quezon
shall be given fiscal and non-fiscal incentives upon the transition and
transfer of government offices.

The Department of Finance and the Department of Trade and Industry
shall be responsible for the administration and implementation of such
incentives incidental under this Act.

SECTION 6. Appropriations. - The National Government through the Department of
Budget and Management shall appropriate the initial funding for the implementation of
this Act which shall thereafter be included in the actual General Appropriations Act

passed by Congress.

SECTION 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations, - Within ninety (90) days from the
effectivity of this Act, the Transition Commission, in consultation with appropriate
government agencies and other stakeholders, shall promulgate the necessary rules and
regulations to implement this act.

SECTION 8. Separability Clause, - Should any provision of this Act be declared invalid
or unconstitutional, no other provision hereof shall be thereby affected.

SECTION 9. Repealing Clause, - All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules, regulations,
orders, circulars, and memoranda inconsistent with any provisions of this Act are

hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 10. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved.