EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
Second Regular Session 
)
SENATE 
S. B. No. 1943
RECEIVED
FILED
DATE 
TIME
NDbX
Introduced by Senator SONNY ANGARA
AN ACT
STRENGTHENING THE DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION CAPACITY OF ALL 
LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT 
NO. 7160 OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE OF 
1991, AS AMENDED, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Information and communications technology (ICT) are now widely utilized in 
all sectors of society since it plays an important role in interactions between 
governments and people. Recently, we have seen local government units (LGUs) 
increasingly embrace digital technologies as it intensifies the quality of service delivery, 
improve the efficiency of public institutions, reach large numbers of people, promote 
transparency and accountability, facilitate electronic interaction and participation, and 
even mitigate corruption.
The on-going COVID-19 pandemic has emphasized the role of LGUs at the 
forefront of service delivery which has likewise forced them to accelerate digital 
transformation through the use of ICT to stay functional in the midst of the health 
crisis.
Digital transformation has now become a public sector imperative. Through 
digital technologies, people can easily access government service through various 
government portals, transact via e-services and interact with chatbots, among others. 
Digital transformation, however, is not just about innovative technologies but requires 
an overhaul of organizational structures, governance, work processes, culture and 
mindset.
Recognizing the new ways to engage in the community, the Department of the 
Interior and Local Government (DILG) has urged all LGUs to bolster digital economy
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and move towards digitized government transactions to reduce contact, prevent 
further contagion, and boost economic activity as the country continues to battle the 
pandemic. On 12 August 2020, the National Economic and Development Authority 
(NEDA) also called the Filipinos to brace for a "digital new normal" and called on the 
LGUs to step up in bridging the digital divide beginning in their localities.
In order for LGUs to better address the fundamental challenges associated with 
the new normal, ICT development and digitalization, this bill proposes the mandatory 
appointment of an Information and Communications Technology Officer (ICTO) who 
will act as the over-all officer in charge for ICT concerns of the municipality, city or 
province, including the development, adoption, deployment, improvement and 
maintenance of ICT technologies, platforms, systems and solutions utilized by the said 
LGU for the effective, efficient, responsive, timely and transparent delivery of basic 
services and performance of public duties. The ICTO shall also be responsible in 
formulating measures that would ensure the digitization of public documents and 
digitalization of government process. In addition, the ICTO shall guide the LGU 
concerned in its digital transformation efforts, expedite change and minimize 
complications.
As the service delivery units of the national government, our LGUs need to be 
supported by sustainable mechanisms to ensure continuous and sustainable use of 
ICTs in their level. This can only be achieved with a specific officer mandated to focus 
on empowering and assisting all local departments within the LGU in utilizing and 
harnessing ICTs. Without sustainability and comprehensive planning and support, the 
national goal of ensuring digital transformation across the country will be difficult to 
achieve. Hence, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought.
SONNY ANGARA


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session
SENATE 
S. B. No. 1943
RECE
FILED
NDbX
Introduced by Senator SONNY ANGARA
AN ACT
STRENGTHENING THE DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION CAPACITY OF ALL 
LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT 
NO. 7160 OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE OF 1991 
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
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SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Local Information
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and Communications Technology Officer Act of2020."
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SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared a policy of the State to
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develop, harness, and integrate information and communication technology across all
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levels of local government units in the country to ensure transparent, accountable,
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efficient and participatory governance. Pursuant to this policy, the State shali provide
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for a local government position that will be responsible and accountable for the
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implementation of digital transformation in the local government units.
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SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act:
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a) Digitization - refers to the technical conversion of physical, analog originals to
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digital copies by means of electronic devices;
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b) Digitalization - refers to the adoption of digital technologies to upgrade
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business processes and models in order to create better ways of providing
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service and obtaining greater benefits;
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c) Digital Transformation - refers to cultural, organizational and operational
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change of an organization, industry or ecosystem through a smart integration


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of digital technologies, processes and competencies across all levels and
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functions in a staged and strategic way;
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d) Digital skills - refer to a range of skilis, encompassing a combination of
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behaviors, expertise, know-how, work habits, character traits, dispositions, and
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critical understanding on the use of digital devices, communication applications,
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and networks to access and manage information;
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e) Digital services - refer to public or private services that can be delivered
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through digital communication, such as Internet, mobile phone network that
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might include delivery of digital information, data or content or transactional
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services;
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f) Digital technology- refers to any product or service that can be used to create,
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view, distribute, modify, store, retrieve, transmit, and receive information
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electronicaliy in a digital form such as personal computers and devices like
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desktop, laptop, netbook, tablet computer, smart phones, games consoles,
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media players, e-book readers, as well as digital television, robots, personal
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assistant smart devices, and smart boards;
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g) Digital tools- refer to technologies used for a given purpose or for carrying out
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a particular function of information processing, communication, content
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creation, safety or problem solving.
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h) E-readiness (electronic readiness) - refers to a measure of the degree to which
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a country is prepared to partake in electronic activities and, thus, benefit from
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ICT in education.
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i) Innovation - refers to the creation of new ideas using new or existing
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technologies that results in the development of new or improved products,
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processes, or services, which are then spread or transferred across the market
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SEC. 4. Section 443 (a) of Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the Local
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Government Code of 1991, hereinafter referred to as the "Code", is hereby amended
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to read as follows:
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"Sec. 443. Officials of the Municipal Government
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(a) There shall be in each municipality a municipal mayor, a municipal
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vice-mayor, sangguniang bayan members, a secretary to the
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sangguniang bayan, a municipal treasurer, a municipal assessor, a


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municipal accountant, a municipal budget officer, a municipal 
planning and development coordinator, a municipal 
engineer/building official, a municipal health officer and a 
municipal civil registrar [7]. A MUNICIPAL INFORMATION AND 
COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY OFFICER (ICTO) SHALL 
ALSO BE APPOINTED: PROVIDED, THAT THE 
MUNICIPALITY HAS THE OPTION TO APPOINT AN ICTO OR 
MERGE SUCH POSITION TO AN EXISTING POSITION OR 
OFFICIAL IN A RELATED OFFICE, UNIT OR DEPARTMENT 
IN THE MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT: PROVIDED, FURTHER, 
THAT IF THE MUNICIPALITY SHALL APPOINT AN ICTO,
THE MUNICIPALITY HAS THE OPTION TO SET THE RANK, 
REMUNERATION AND OTHER EMOLUMENTS OF THE 
MUNICIPAL ICTO SUBJECT TO EXISTING LAWS, RULES 
AND REGULATIONS.
"(b) XXX 
"(C) XXX 
"(d) XXX 
"(e) XXX
SEC. 5. Section 454 (a) of the Code is hereby amended to read as follows:
"Sec. 454. Officials of the City Government
(b) There shall be in each city a mayor, a vice-mayor, sangguniang 
panlungsod members, a secretary to the sangguniang panlungsod, 
a city treasurer, a city assessor, a city accountant, a city budget 
officer, a city planning and development coordinator, a city 
engineer, a city health officer, a city civil registrar, a city 
administrator, a city legal officer, a city veterinarian, a city social 
welfare and development officer, and a city general services officer 
[7]. A CITY ICTO SHALL ALSO BE APPOINTED: PROVIDED, 
THAT THE CITY HAS THE OPTION TO APPOINT AN ICTO OR 
MERGE SUCH POSITION TO AN EXISTING POSITION OR 
OFFICIAL IN A RELATED OFFICE, UNIT OR DEPARTMENT


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IN THE CITY GOVERNMENT: PROVIDED, FURTHER, THAT 
IF THE CITY SHALL APPOINT AN ICTO, THE CITY HAS THE 
OPTION TO SET THE RANK, REMUNERATION AND OTHER 
EMOLUMENTS OF THE CITY ICTO SUBJECT TO EXISTING 
LAWS, RULES AND REGULATIONS.
"(b) XXX 
"(C) XXX 
"(d) XXX 
"(e) XXX
SEC. 6. Section 463 (a) of the Code is hereby amended to read as follows:
"Sec. 463. Officials of the Provincial Government
(c) There shall be in each province a governor, a vice-governor, 
members of the sangguniang panlalawigan, a secretary to the 
sangguniang panlalawigan, a provincial treasurer, a provincial 
assessor, a provincial accountant, a provincial engineer, a 
provincial budget officer, a provincial planning and development 
coordinator, a provincial legal officer, a provincial administrator, a 
provincial health officer, a provincial social welfare and 
development officer, a provincial general services officer, a 
provincial agriculturist, and a provincial veterinarian, [7]. A 
PROVINCIAL ICTO SHALL ALSO BE APPOINTED: 
PROVIDED, THAT THE PROVINCE HAS THE OPTION TO 
APPOINT AN ICTO OR MERGE SUCH POSITION TO AN 
EXISTING POSITION OR OFFICIAL IN A RELATED OFFICE, 
UNIT OR DEPARTMENT IN THE PROVINCIAL 
GOVERNMENT: PROVIDED, FURTHER, THAT IF THE 
PROVINCE SHALL APPOINT AN ICTO, THE PROVINCE HAS 
THE OPTION TO SET THE RANK, REMUNERATION AND 
OTHER EMOLUMENTS OF THE PROVINCIAL ICTO SUBJECT 
TO EXISTING LAWS, RULES AND REGULATIONS.
"(b) XXX 
"(C) XXX


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"(d) XXX
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"(e) XXX
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SEC. 7. A new Section 491-A shall be inserted after Section 491 of the Code to
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read as follows:
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ARTICLE XXI
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THE LOCAL INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY
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OFFICER
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SECTION 491-A. QUALIFICATIONS, POWERS, AND
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DUTIES. - (A) NO PERSON SHALL BE APPOINTED AS
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INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY
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OFFICER UNLESS HE OR SHE IS A CITIZEN OF THE
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PHILIPPINES, A RESIDENT OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT
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UNIT CONCERNED, OF GOOD MORAL CHARACTER, A
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HOLDER OF A COLLEGE DEGREE ON INFORMATION AND
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COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY, COMPUTER SCIENCE,
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COMPUTER ENGINEERING, DATA SCIENCE, ELECTRONICS
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AND COMMUNICATIONS ENGINEERING OR OTHER
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COURSES DIRECTLY RELEVANT TO ANY OF THE
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AFOREMENTIONED COURSES FROM A RECOGNIZED
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COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY, AND A FIRST GRADE CIVIL
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SERVICE ELIGIBLE OR ITS EQUIVALENT. HE OR SHE MUST
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HAVE ACQUIRED EXPERIENCE IN INFORMATION AND
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COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY AND RELATED
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EXPERIENCES FOR AT LEAST FIVE (5) YEARS IN THE CASE
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OF THE PROVINCE OR CITY, OR AT LEAST THREE (3)
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YEARS IN THE CASE OF THE MUNICIPALITY.
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THE APPOINTMENT OF AN INFORMATION AND
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COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY OFFICER SHALL BE
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MANDATORY FOR THE PROVINCIAL, CITY AND
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MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENTS.
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(B) THE INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS
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TECHNOLOGY OFFICER SHALL:


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(1) FORMULATE MEASURES FOR THE 
CONSIDERATION OF THE SANGGUNIAN AND PROVIDE 
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND SUPPORT TO THE LOCAL 
CHIEF EXECUTIVE, IN CARRYING OUT MEASURES TO 
ENSURE THE DIGITIZATION OF PUBLIC DOCUMENTS, 
DIGITALIZATION OF GOVERNMENT PROCESS AND OVER­
ALL DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION OF GOVERNMENT
(2) DEVELOP PLANS AND STRATEGIES AND UPON 
APPROVAL THEREOF BY THE LOCAL CHIEF EXECUTIVE 
IMPLEMENT THE SAME, PARTICULARLY THOSE WHICH 
HAVE TO DO WITH DEVELOPING, HARNESSING, 
INTEGRATING AND UTILIZING INFORMATION AND 
COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY FOR THE DIGITAL 
TRANSFORMATION OF GOVERNMENT AND RELEVANT 
PURPOSES;
(3) IN ADDITION TO THE FOREGOING DUTIES AND 
FUNCTIONS, THE INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS 
TECHNOLOGY OFFICER SHALL:
(i) TAKE CUSTODY OF AND BE ACCOUNTABLE FOR 
ALL PROPERTIES, REAL OR PERSONAL, OWNED BY THE 
LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIT AND THOSE GRANTED TO IT 
IN THE FORM OF DONATION, REPARATION, ASSISTANCE 
AND COUNTERPART OF JOINT PROJECTS;
(ii) WITH THE APPROVAL OF THE LOCAL CHIEF 
EXECUTIVE, ASSIGN RESOURCES TO LOCAL OFFICIALS 
OR OTHER PUBLIC OFFICIALS, WHO BY LAW, ARE 
ENTITLED TO SUCH SPACES;
(iii) RECOMMEND TO THE LOCAL CHIEF EXECUTIVE, 
THE REASONABLE PURCHASE, LEASE OR RENTAL RATES 
OF DIGITAL EQUIPMENT FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF 
DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION;


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(iv) DEVELOP, MAINTAIN AND SUPERVISE ALL 
OTHER INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS 
TECHNOLOGY PROGRAMS AND SERVICES OF THE LOCAL 
GOVERNMENT;
(v) COLLATE AND DISSEMINATE INFORMATION 
REGARDING INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS 
TECHNOLOGY PROGRAMS AND SERVICES OF THE LOCAL 
GOVERNMENT TO THE PUBLIC,
(vi) PERFORM DATABASE AND RECORD 
MANAGEMENT WITH RESPECT TO RECORDS OF OFFICES 
AND DEPARTMENTS OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIT; 
AND
(vii) PERFORM ALL OTHER FUNCTIONS PERTAINING 
INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY 
PROGRAMS AND SERVICES OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT 
AND ENFORCE POLICIES IN RELATION THERETO;
(4) BE IN THE FRONTLINE OF INFORMATION AND 
COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY PROGRAMS AND 
SERVICES OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN PARTNERSHIP 
WITH PRIVATE SECTOR;
(5) DEVELOP, IMPLEMENT, AND EVALUATE ALL 
PROGRAMS AIMED AT ENSURING THAT ALL PERSONNEL 
UNDER HIS OR HER SUPERVISION INCLUDING HIMSELF 
OR HERSELF ARE CONSTANTLY TRAINED OR EXPOSED TO 
KNOWLEDGE IN INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION 
TECHNOLOGY AND OTHER RELEVANT AREAS;
(6) RECOMMEND TO THE SANGGUNIAN AND 
ADVISE THE LOCAL CHIEF EXECUTIVE, ON ALL OTHER 
MATTERS RELATIVE TO INFORMATION AND 
COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY; AND


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(C) EXERCISE SUCH OTHER POWERS AND PERFORM
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SUCH OTHER DUTIES AND FUNCTIONS AS MAY BE
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PRESCRIBED BY LAW OR ORDINANCE."
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SEC. 8. Separability Clause. — If any part or provision of this Act shall be
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declared as unconstitutional or invalid, the other parts or provisions hereof which are
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not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.
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SEC. 9. Repealing Clause. — All laws, executive orders, presidential decrees,
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rules and regulations or parts thereof which are in conflict or inconsistent with the
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provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.
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SEC. 10. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
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publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,
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