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

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS,
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. 4558

Introduced by Honorable Michael L. Romero

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The 1987 Philippine Constitution laid down the framework for the
protection of the people, promotion of the people’s right to health and right to a
clean and healthy environment. Article II, Section 4 specified that it is the prime
duty of the Government to serve and protect the people, while Article II, Section
8, explicitly forbids the presence of nuclear weapons in the country. It is the
State’s duty and obligation to ensure the health, welfare and safety of the present
and future generation of Filipinos.

The threat of Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear (CBRN)
materials and weapons is a global challenge. The Philippines, an archipelagic
country with vast coastline and porous borders, is vulnerable to different threats
or risks to its population.

‘The latest development or advancement in science and technology, have
also increased the risks brought about by chemical, biological, radiological and
nuclear (CBRN) materials. If these materials are used malevolently, or if the
laboratories or facilities containing these CBRN materials have not followed

safety and security protocols, the probabilities of exposing the Filipinos and the

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environment to grave threats and risks are increased.

The different international conventions and treaties and its objectives have
introduced us to the safety and security threats posed by Chemical, Biological,
Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) weapons and materials. Threats that if not

addressed, can greatly impact our country’s national survival.

Thus, passage of this Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear
(CBRN) House Bill is earnestly sought to maintain the safety and security of the
present and future generations of Filipino.

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

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO, 4558

Introduced by Honorable Michael L. Romero

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR A STRATEGIC AND INTEGRATED CHEMICAL,
BIOLOGICAL, RADIOLOGICAL, NUCLEAR (CBRN) RESILIENCY
APPROACH, TO FOSTER SAFETY AND SECURITY OF THE
FILIPINO PEOPLE, PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES

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

CHAPTER I
GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1
Declaration of Principles and Policies
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act shall be known as the
“Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear (CBRN) Act of 2019.”

SECTION 2. DECLARATION OF POLICY. The State shall serve and
protect the people and promote the right to health of the people and instill health
consciousness among them.

The State recognizes that a safe and secure environment is for the good of all

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and should be the responsibility and concern of all;

The State is fully aware of the safety and security threats posed by Chemical,
Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) materials and weapons.

Towards this end and consistent with our commitment to international
conventions and to pursue national and international security interests, the
State recognizes its duty and obligation to protect and promote welfare, safety
and security of the present and future generation of Filipinos.

SECTION 3. COVERAGE OF THE ACT. This Act shall cover the
national territory of the Philippines, its exclusive economic zone and area of

responsibility.

Article 2
Definition of Terms

SECTION 4. DEFINITION OF TERMS. As used in this Act:

a, Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN
Materials -refers to Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear
materials used deliberately or intentionally by terrorists or
criminals to cause harm.

b. Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear - expansion of
the term CBRN referring to threats due to the weaponization of
hazardous and dangerous goods.

c. CBRN Event - refers to event involving a potential, perceived, or
actual act with chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, or
explosive materials that are, or are suspected to be, used in a
deliberate or intentional way to cause harm. These acts are
considered criminal acts and are often acts of terrorism. These
are intended to instigate fear and disorder among the citizens,
and the deliberate actions may be large and dispersed and may
require a specialized emergency management and response.

d. Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) - refers to any destructive
device or weapon that is designed or intended to cause death or

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serious bodily injury through the release, dissemination, or
impact of toxic or poisonous chemicals, or their precursors, any
weapon involving a biological agent, toxin, or vector, or any
weapon that is designed to release radiation or radioactivity at a
level dangerous to human life. This includes, but not limited to:
(a) nuclear and radiological explosive devices and their major
sub-systems; (b) chemicals covered by Schedule I, II and III of the
Chemical Weapons Convention; and (c) biological agents and
biologically derived substances specifically developed,
configured, adapted, or modified for the purpose of increasing
their capability to produce casualties in humans or livestock,
degrade equipment, or damage crops.

CHAPTER II

GOAL AND IMPLEMENTING STRUCTURE AND MECHANISM
SECTION 5. GOAL OF STRATEGIC AND INTEGRATED CBRN
RESILIENCY APPROACH. The Goal of the Strategic and Integrated CBRN
Resiliency Approach is to prevent, control, respond and/or manage risks
brought about by Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear (CBRN) materials

and weapons to the Filipino’s welfare, safety and security.

SECTION 6. CREATION OF THE CHEMICAL, BIOLOGICAL,
RADIOLOGICAL, NUCLEAR (CBRN) AUTHORITY. The CBRN Authority, is
hereby created, under the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).
It shall be headed by a Director General (with a rank of Undersecretary), assisted
by two (2) Deputy Director General (with a rank of Assistant Secretary), and five
(5) Directors.

SECTION 7. POWERS AND FUNCTIONS. The CBRN Authority shall

have the following powers and functions:

a. Formulate policies, develop programs and strategies, promulgate
guidelines including operational responsibilities of the Authority:

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b. Prepare within twelve (12) months a National CBRN Action Plan

which includes, but is not limited to CBRN preparedness, response,
containment of CBRN sites, and decontamination of CBRN wastes,
and the following:

1. Risk identification, assessment and management, with options to
prescribe permitting requirements;

2. Identification of CBRN agents and materials and their listing in
the regulations

3. Identification of CBRN Enforcement Officers and their functions
including the development of inter-agency cooperation,
coordination and communication protocols with other officials
such as customs and health/quarantine/police officers on
matters relating to suspected CBRN materials;

4. Compliance and non-compliance and the corresponding
penalties for the non-compliance;

5. Procedures for the monitoring of CBRN threats, emergency
response on the detection of incursions including isolation of
areas, control, eradication processes and disposal processes for
the CBRN wastes;

6. Payment of compensation as a consequence of action;

. Development of CBRN Emergency Response and Crisis
Management, including the release of appropriate funds, for
different Tiers of CBRN threats in all levels of government;

8. Development of the list of prohibited, regulated and restricted

biological organisms or agents and non-biological agents.

9. Development of the procedures and guidelines for
decontamination and disposal of CBRN wastes at CBRN sites.

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. Review and update every three (3) years the CBRN strategies and

policies;

. Coordinate, monitor and evaluate programs and development

projects initiated by the Government and private agencies to achieve
CBRN resiliency;

. Undertake information dissemination and education campaigns on

CBRN resiliency programs to create greater awareness on CBRN
preparedness and response;

Establish and maintain coordination, cooperation, assistance and

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information sharing with government agencies in the
implementation of their CBRN functions;

g. Establish and maintain coordination, cooperation, assistance and
information sharing with other nations on matters relating to CBRN;

h. Coordinate in, assist and/or support the conduct of researches,
trainings, infrastructure and capability development and relevant
activities for CBRN;

i, Act as National Competent Authority of International Conventions
related to Chemical Weapons, Biological Weapons, Radiological and
Nuclear Weapons and other related international conventions.

SECTION 8. POLICY AND PROGRAM ADVISORY BODY. The
CBRN Authority shall have a Policy and Program Advisory Body, hereinafter
referred as Advisory Body to be composed of the all relevant officials and staff of
the Authority, and the following:

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. Secretary, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG);
. Secretary, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)

Secretary, Department of Agriculture (DA)

|. Secretary, Department of Health (DOH);

Secretary, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI);
Secretary, Department of National Defense (DND)
Secretary, Department of Science and Technology (DOST)

. Director General, National Security Council;

Secretary, Department of Finance (DOF);
Secretary, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA);

. Secretary, Department of Justice (DOJ);

Secretary, Department of Education (DepEd)

. Executive Director, Anti-Terrorism Council (ATC) - Program

Management Center (PMC)

The Advisory Body shall serve as the consultative assembly that shall assist the
Authority in the formulation and development of comprehensive strategic multi-

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year plans and programs on Strategic and Integrated CBRN Approach; Provided,
that the herein actual composition shall be listed and appropriate authorization
shall be issued by the Director-General for the attendance of such individuals
and entities in every meeting or assembly of the Advisory Body called for a
purpose; Provided further, that the Advisory Body shall meet at least once every
calendar year; Provided, finally, that such attendance shall be voluntary and
authorized attendees shall not be entitled to any form of compensation

The Advisory Body may designate a representative to the CBRN Authority who
shall have a rank not lower than an Undersecretary. Five (5) members of the
Advisory Body shall constitute a quorum in order to transact any business.
SECTION 9. SUPPORT FROM OTHER AGENCIES. The CBRN
Authority shall be complemented by the following support agencies and bureaus:

. Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB);

. Food and Drug Administration (DOH-FDA);

. Bureau of Quarantine (DOH-BOQ);

. Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (DOH-RITM);

. Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (DOST-PNRI);
National Committee on Biosafety of the Philippines (DOST-NCBP)

.. Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP);

. Philippine National Police (PNP);

i, Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)

j. Philippine Coast Guard (PCG)

k. National Bureau of Investigation (DOJ-NBI);

1. University of the Philippines; and

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m. Such other offices, agencies or units as necessary.

SECTION 10. FIELD OFFICES OF THE AUTHORITY. Field Offices
of the Authority are hereby created and established in the seventeen (17)
administrative and autonomous regions of the country. It shall have the

following powers and functions:

a. Assist the local government units in the local implementation of CBRN

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Strategic Action Plan in order to achieve the objective of this Act;

b. Provide for the efficient and cost-effective delivery of the Authority’s
services to the people;

c. Coordinate with the regional offices of other departments, offices,
agencies in the region and local government units in the enforcement
of this Act;

d. The CBRN Regional Offices shall submit periodic updates to the CBRN
Authority;

e. Perform such other tasks as may be necessary and incidental to carry
out the provisions of this Act and the purpose for which the BMOs had
been established.

SECTION 11. STAFF AND BUDGETARY SUPPORT. The CBRN
Authority shall be headed by a Director General (with a rank of Undersecretary),
assisted by two (2) Deputy Director General (with a rank of Assistant Secretary),
and five (5) Directors of appropriate rank who shall be responsible for the pursuit
of their respective CBRN mandate, the discharge of its duties and functions and
the exercise of supervision and control over the CBRN Regional Offices and its
constituent units. Personnel of the CBRN Authority shall be called CBRN
Enforcement Officers.

The organizational structure and staffing pattern of the CBRN Authority shall be
formulated by the Secretary of Interior and Local Government in coordination
with the Advisory Body, subject to the approval by the Department of Budget
and Management (DBM) in accordance with Executive Order No. 292
(Administrative Code of 1987).

The initial amount of Twenty Million Pesos for CBRN Authority shall be sourced
from the Intelligence Fund (IF) of the DILG, subject to existing budgeting,
accounting and auditing laws, rules and regulations, in order to carry out the
provisions of this Act. Thereafter, the subsequent budget shall be incorporated
in the General Appropriations Act under the operating expenses of the CBRN
Authority.

SECTION 12. NATIONAL CBRN STRATEGIC ACTION PLAN

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(NATIONAL CBRN SAP). Within twelve (12) months after the approval of this
Act, the CBRN Authority shall formulate and develop the National CBRN
Strategic Action Plan which shall be adopted by the different agencies and

instrumentalities of the government nationwide. The NBS shall be reviewed and
updated every three (3) years. The strategy shall include, but is not limited to:

a.

Risk identification, assessment and management, with options to
prescribe permitting requirements;

. Vulnerability assessment of existing laboratories and the safety and

biosecurity practices across all laboratories including, but not limited
to laboratories of State Universities and Colleges (SUCs);

. Identification of CBRN agents and materials and their listing in the

regulations;

|. Identification of CBRN Enforcement Officers and their functions

including the development of inter-agency cooperation, coordination
and communication protocols with other officials such as customs and
health/quarantine/police officers on matters relating to suspected
CBRN materials;

. Compliance and non-compliance and the corresponding penalties for

the non-compliance;

Procedures for the monitoring of CBRN threats, emergency response on
the detection of incursions including isolation of areas, control,
eradication processes and disposal processes for the CBRN wastes;

. Payment of compensation as a consequence of action;

. Development of CBRN Emergency Response and Crisis Management,

including the release of appropriate funds, for different Tiers of CBRN
threats in all levels of government;

Development of the list of prohibited, regulated and restricted biological
organisms or agents and non-biological agents.

Development of the procedures and guidelines for decontamination and
disposal of CBRN wastes at CBRN sites.

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SECTION 13. DESIGNATION OF CRISIS MANAGERS AND/OR
CABINET OFFICERS PRIMARILY RESPONSIBLE DURING CBRN CRISIS. The
Crisis Managers and/or Cabinet Officers Primarily Responsible (C-OPR) shall
assume authority; effectively carry out functions; and take on responsibilities
and accountabilities prescribed in the Practical Guide for National Crisis
Managers, the Core Manual and the approved March 2011 revisions to Chapter
4 of the 2000 Crisis Management Manual. Specifically, that:

a, The Executive Secretary shall be the Cabinet-Officer Primarily
Responsible (C-OPR) for emerging and current threats of terrorism, as
Chairperson of the Anti-Terrorism Council created under Republic Act
9372 or the Human Security Act of 2007;

b. The Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources shall be the
Cabinet-Officer Primarily Responsible (C-OPR) for emerging and
current threats brought about by chemicals and chemical substances.

c. The Secretary of Health shall be the Cabinet-Officer Primarily
Responsible (C-OPR) for emerging and current threats to public health
brought about by biological agents.

d. The Secretary of Science and Technology shall be the Cabinet-Officer
Primarily Responsible (C-OPR) for emerging and current threats
brought about by radiological and nuclear materials.

SECTION 14. AGENCY ASSISTANCE. The CBRN Authority is hereby
authorized to call on and mobilize any government agency or instrumentality,
including local government units and government-owned or controlled
corporations and also non-governmental agencies or institutions, for support
and assistance in the implementation of this Executive Order.

SECTION 15. ROLE OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGUS). Local
government units (LGUs) shall share the responsibility in protecting the general
welfare, safety and security of humans, plant and animal population,
environment and ecosystem within their territorial jurisdictions. CBRN Offices

shall also be created and established in the government units of provinces, cities

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and municipalities.

Each local government unit shall prepare a compliance scheme in accordance
with the National CBRN Strategic Action Plan.

CHAPTER III
PERMITTING, INSPECTION, MONITORING
SECTION 16. PERMITTING. - The interpretation of the provisions of
this Act shall not negate the effectivity and application of the permitting
requirements of other laws. The CBRN Authority shall require owners /
operators / exporters / importers of goods or products which may be a CBRN
risk to secure the necessary permits of other applicable laws.

SECTION 17. RECORD-KEEPING, INSPECTION, MONITORING
AND ENTRY BY THE CBRN ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS - The CBRN Authority
or its duly authorized representative shall, after proper consultation and notice,
require any person who owns or operates any source of CBRN risk or threat is

subject to any requirement of this Act to:

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. establish and maintain relevant records;

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. make relevant reports;

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. install, use and maintain monitoring equipment or methods;
d. provide such other information as the CBRN Authority may reasonably
require.
Pursuant to this Act, the CBRN Authority, through its authorized
representatives, shall have the right to:
a. enter or to have access to any premises including documents and
relevant materials as referred to in the herein preceding paragraph;
b. inspect any area with CBRN threat, pollution or waste source, control

device, monitoring equipment or method required;

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c. test any discharge; and
d. deputize other government agencies and concerned members of the civil

society or private sector on the implementation of the Act.

Any record, report or information obtained under this section shall be made
available to the public, except upon a satisfactory showing to the CBRN Authority
by the entity concerned that the record, report, or information or parts thereof,
if made public, would divulge secret methods or processes entitled to protection
as intellectual property.

CHAPTER IV
LIABILITIES / PENAL PROVISIONS

SECTION 18. LIABILITY ON CBRN DAMAGE.- The owners /
operators / exporters / importers of goods or products which may be a CBRN
risk at the time of an Incident, or where the Incident consists of a series of
occurrences, at the time of the first such occurrence, shalll be liable for any CBRN
Damage caused by the said goods or products as a result of the Incident. Such

damages shall include, but not limited to:

a. Reasonable expenses actually incurred in isolating the areas, control,
eradication processes and disposal processes for the CBRN wastes;

b. Reasonable expenses of Preventive Measures and further loss or
damage caused by preventive measures;

c. Consequential loss or loss of earnings suffered by Owners or users of
property contaminated or damaged as a direct result of an Incident;

d. Pure economic loss or loss of earnings sustained by persons although
the property contaminated or damaged as a direct result of an Incident
does not belong to them;

e. Damage to human health or loss of life as a direct result of the Incident,
including expenses for rehabilitation and recuperation: Provided, That
costs of studies or diagnoses to determine the long-term damage shall
also be included; and

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f. Environmental and ecological damages and other reasonable measures
of environmental restoration.

SECTION 19. EXEMPTING CIRCUMSTANCES.- No liability as
stated in the immediately preceding section shall attach to the owners /

operators / exporters / importers of goods or products which may be a CBRN

risk if he proves that the damage:

a. Resulted from an act of war, hostilities, civil war, insurrection or a natural
phenomenon of an exceptional, inevitable and irresistible character; and

b. Was wholly caused by an act or omission done with intent to cause damage
by third party.

SECTION 20. PROHIBITED ACT AND PENALTIES:

a. Any person who willfully and intentionally engages in any of the

following activities shall be imprisoned for a period from six (6) years

and one (1) day to twelve (12) years imprisonment, and a fine from one
million pesos (P1,000,000.00) to five million pesos (P5,000,000.00):

s Fe

2.

To engage in any of the regulated activity prohibited by, or in
contravention of, this Act,

To make false or misleading representations or conceal any material
fact, including in the submission of any document, to the CBRN
Authority or any other Philippine government agency;

. To engage in any activity prohibited by, or in contravention of, any

orders or regulations issued by the CBRN Authority to implement
the provisions of this Act;

. To conspire or act in concert with one or more persons in any

manner or for any purpose to bring about or to do any act that
constitutes a violation of this Act, or any order, regulation, or
authorization issued thereunder;

. To forge or alter any authorization, registration, certificate or any or

other document issued in relation to the provisions of this Act;

. To obstruct or hinder the CBRN Authority or any government agency

in the execution of its powers conferred under this Act; or

. To induce a violation of this Act or any order, regulation, or

authorization issued thereunder; and

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8. To cause, aid or facilitate, directly or indirectly, in the storage,
importation, or bringing into Philippines territory, including its
maritime economic zones, even in transit, either by means of land,
air or sea transportation or otherwise keeping in storage any amount
of CBRN materials, weapons or wastes in any part of the Philippines.

b. Any person found guilty of committing any of the following shall be
imprisoned for a period from six (6) months and one (1) day to six (6)
years imprisonment, and a fine from one hundred thousand pesos (P
100,000.00) to one million pesos (P1,000,000.00):

1. To fail to report or notify the CBRN Authority as required by this Act;

2. To fail to comply with record keeping requirements as provided in
this Act; or

3. To engage in any activity with intent to evade the provisions of this
Act, or any order, regulation, or authorization issued thereunder.

SECTION 21. ATTEMPT TO COMMIT VIOLATIONS OF THIS ACT.
Any attempt to commit any crime under Section 16(a) of this Act shall be
penalized by imprisonment for a period from six (6) months and one (1) day to
six (6) years, and a fine from one hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00) to one
million pesos (P1,000,000.00).

SECTION 22. ADMINISTRATIVE PENALTIES. - The CBRN Authority
shall impose on any person found to have committed violations under this Act
the following administrative penalties:

a. Limitation, revocation or annulment of any authorization and/or
registration;

b. Imposition of fines of up to two hundred fifty thousand pesos
(P250,000.00) or twice the value of the CBRN material under the
contract or as assessed by the CBRN Authority; and

c. Upon request by the Securities and Exchange Commission and/or the
Department of Trade and Industry or any other relevant agencies, order
the cancellation or suspension of the registration and
authorization/license to operate of the partnership, corporation,

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association and other juridical entity.

The imposition of the penalty shall be without prejudice to the filing of
appropriate criminal charges against the persons responsible for the violation.

SECTION 23. CBRN MANAGEMENT FUND - Proceeds from the
penalties prescribed in preceding Sections and other penalties imposed by this
Act, the CBRN Authority, as authorized by this Act, shall be automatically
appropriated into a CBRN Management Fund hereby created.

The CBRN Management Fund to be administered by the CBRN Authority, as a
special account in the National Treasury is hereby established.

Grants, endowments and donations received for the purpose of CBRN
preparedness and resiliency shall also be accepted and disbursed as part of the
CBRN Management Fund.

The fund shall be used to finance the following:

a. finance containment and clean-up operations of the government in
CBRN cases;

b. guarantee restoration of ecosystems and rehabilitation of affected
areas; support research enforcement and monitoring activities;

c. provide technical assistance to the implementing agencies;
d. grant rewards and incentives;
€. support information and educational campaign;

f. such other disbursements made solely for the prevention, control or
abatement of CBRN threats in the amounts authorized by the
Authority.

SECTION 24. INVESTIGATION. If in the course of the conduct of an
investigation for violations committed under this Act, the Authority comes across
evidence of possible criminal violations, it shall refer the matter and turn over
all available evidence to the Department of Justice for preliminary investigation.

Appropriate forfeiture proceedings for materials and goods confiscated shall be

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filed in accordance with existing laws, rules and regulations.

SECTION 25. CRIMINAL LIABILITY OF OFFICERS OF
PARTNERSHIPS, CORPORATIONS, AND OTHER JURIDICAL ENTITIES. In
case any of the violations of this Act is committed by a partnership, corporation,
association, or any other juridical persons, the partner, president, director,
manager, trustee, administrator, or officer who willfully and intentionally
consents to, or tolerates such violation shall be held criminally liable as co-
principal. The penalty provided for the offense shall be imposed upon the
responsible officers who participated in the commission of the crime or who have

willfully and intentionally permitted its commission.

SECTION 26. ADMINISTRATIVE LIABILITY OF GOVERNMENT
OFFICIALS AND EMPLOYEES. Any government official or employee who
commits, or facilitates the commission of, any violation of this Act shall be
administratively liable under Civil Service rules, without prejudice to criminal
liability under this Act. The concerned government official or employee shall,

upon conviction, be dismissed from the service.

SECTION 27. ADDITIONAL PENALTY IF OFFENDER IS AN ALIEN /
FOREIGN NATIONAL. In addition to the penalties prescribed in this Act, any
alien/foreign national who violates any provision of this Act shall, after service
of sentence, be deported immediately without further proceedings, and be barred
permanently from entering the country.

SECTION 28. FORFEITURE. In addition to imprisonment and fine,
the CBRN materials or items subject of the offense, including the proceeds
derived therefrom, shall be forfeited in favor of the government.

After conviction, the Regional Trial Court shall enter a judgment of forfeiture of

the goods, including its proceeds, in favor of the Government of the Philippines
and shall authorize the forfeiture of the seized goods.

Following the seizure of the CBRN materials, the Authority may call on relevant

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government agency who shall direct the destruction of said CBRN materials. All
proper expenses incurred in the proceedings for the confiscation, forfeiture,
custody and maintenance of the property pending disposition, as well as
expenses for publication and court costs shall be taken from the General
Appropriations Act (GAA).

SECTION 29. PROTECTION OF CBRN ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS.
= No action or prosecution shall be brought, instituted or maintained against the
CBRN Authority or an authorized officer for or on account of or in respect of any
act ordered or done for the purpose of carrying into effect this Act or its IRR if
the act was done in good faith and under a reasonable belief that it was necessary

for the purpose intended to be served thereby.

SECTION 30. JURISDICTION. The Regional Trial Court shall have
jurisdiction over criminal prosecutions for violation of any provision of this Act,
as well as over applications for the issuance and grant of applicable provisional
remedies under the Rules of Court.

SECTION 31. INTERNATIONAL LEGAL COOPERATION. - For the
purposes of this section, the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Department
of Foreign Affairs (DFA) shall develop, as part of the National CBRN Strategic
Action Plan, procedures on International Legal Cooperation which includes, but
is not limited to types of assistance, requests for legal assistance from a foreign
State, and requirements for requests for mutual assistance from foreign States,
authentication of documents, and extraditable offenses.

CHAPTER V
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
SECTION 32. PUBLIC EDUCATION AND INFORMATION- The CBRN
Authority and the local government units shall, in coordination with the
Department of Education (DepEd) and the Commission on Higher Education
(CHED), the Department of Interior of Local Government (DILG), the Philippine

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Information Agency (PIA), and Civil Society shall conduct a continuing education
and information campaign on CBRN awareness. Said campaign shall aim at
developing public awareness of the ill-effects of CBRN threats; the policy and
decision-making in the national, provincial, city or municipal level to engage in
activities to protect the human, plant and animal population, environment and

ecosystem from CBRN threats and its control.

The civil society and other sectors, particularly labor, the academe and business
involved in environment-related activities, shall be encouraged to undertake
efforts to organize, educate and motivate the people in addressing and be
proactive partners of the government when addressing pertinent CBRN issues
and problems at the local and national levels through the institutionalization of
programs, projects and activities for the purpose of this Act.

SECTION 33. IMPLEMENTING RULES AND REGULATIONS (IRR)
Within twelve (12) months from the effectivity of this Act, the Implementing Rules
and Regulations Committee to be composed of the member-agencies of the
Advisory Board shall draft and issue the IRR for its effective implementation,
after public consultations with stakeholders: Provided, That the non-issuance of
the IRR shall not prevent the coming into force of this Act:

SECTION 34, RELATIONS WITH OTHER LAWS. The interpretation
of the provisions of this Act shall not negate the effectivity and application of
other laws.

CHAPTER VI
TRANSITORY PROVISIONS
SECTION 35. APPROPRIATIONS. The initial amount of Twenty
Million Pesos for CBRN Authority shall be sourced from the Intelligence Fund
(IF) of the DILG, subject to existing budgeting, accounting and auditing laws,
rules and regulations, in order to carry out the provisions of this Act. Thereafter,
the subsequent budget shall be incorporated in the General Appropriations Act

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under the operating expenses of the CBRN Authority.

CHAPTER VII
SEPARABILITY AND REPEALING CLAUSES
SECTION 36. SEPARABILITY CLAUSE. The provisions of this Act
is declared separable. If any provision of this Act or the application of such
provision to any person or circumstances is declared unconstitutional, the
remainder of the Act or the application of such provision to other person or
circumstances shall not be affected by such declaration.

SECTION 37. REPEALING CLAUSE. All laws, presidential decrees,
executive orders and their implementing rules, or parts thereof, inconsistent
with the provisions of this Act are hereby, repealed; amended or modified

accordingly.

CHAPTER VIII
EFFECTIVITY CLAUSE

SECTION 38. EFFECTIVITY. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15)
days after its publication in at least two (2) national newspapers of general
circulation.

Approved,

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