Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session
HOUSE BILL
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Introduced by Rep. Rachel Marguerite "Cutie" Del Mar
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EXpIAnlATOR¥ "oTE
In  the  spirit  of  fostering  regional  development  and  enhancing  the
efriciency  of port  operations  in  the  Visayas  region,  this  bill  proposes  an
amendment to  Republic Act No.  7621,  otherwise  known as the  Charter of
the Cebu Ports Authority (CPA). The proposed amendment aims to expand
the jurisdiction of the CPA to encompass not only the island of Cebu but
also the entire regions of Central Visayas and Eastern Visayas.
The rationale for this amendment is multifold:
1.       Increased Efficiency in Port Management -The expansion of
CPA's jurisdiction is envisaged to centralize and streamline port operations
across  these  key  regions,   leading  to  enhanced  efficiency  and  reduced
administrative complexities.
2.  Economic  Growth  and  Regional  Development  -  Central  and
Eastern   Visayas    have    demonstrated    significant    economic    potential,
especially in terms of trade and passenger movements. By extending CPA's
jurisdiction, there is an opportunity to further catalyze economic growth and
development in these regions.
3.  Standardization of operations and Safety Hotocols -  The
amendment seeks to ensure that the high standards of operation and safety
protocols that the CPA is known for are uniformly applied across a broader
geographical area, thereby elevating the overall quality of port services in the
Visayas region.


4.  Optimized Resouree Utili2RItion - With a larger jurisdiction,  the
CPA can optimize the use of resources, including human capital, technology,
and   infrastnicture,   ensuring   that   these   are   deployed   efficiently   and
effectively to meet the growing demands of the regions.
5.   Enhanced   Regioml   Connectivity   -   By   consolidating   port
management under the CIA for these regions, the bill aims to enhance the
connectivity  between  islands,  facilitating  smoother  and  more  coordinated
movement of goods and passengers.
6.  Adaptation  to  Growing  Trade  and  Passenger  Thffic  -  The
expansion  is  a  proactive  response  to  the  increasing  trade  and  passenger
traffic  in  these  regions,  ensuring that the  infrastructure  and  services  are
adequately equipped to handle this growhi.
The proposed amendment aligns with the national development goals
of the Philippines and seeks to contribute to the overall improvement of our
port  services  and  enhance  regional  autonomy,  which  are  pivotal  to  the
country's economic and social progress.
Your  favorable  consideration  of  this  bill  will  be  a  significant  step
towards realizing a more integrated, efficient, and prosperous Visayas region.
RACHELun#-£m" DEL MAI


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session
HOUSEBILLNo.     10191
Introduced by Rep. Rachel Marguerite "Cutie" Del Mar
AN ACT
EXPANDING   THE   JURISDICTION   0F   THE   CEBU   PORTS
AUTHORITY, AMENDING THEREOF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7621,
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE CHARTER OF THE CEBU PORTS
AUTHORITY
Be it enacted bu the Serrate and the House Of Represeutatiues Of the Ph,itippines
in Congress assembled:
Section  1.   Section 6  of Republic Act No.  7621  is hereby amended to
read, as follows:
"SECTION   6.    Te7'7ito7iczz   /I/n.sczt.c€z.o71.   -   The   territorial
jurisdiction of the Authority shall include all seas, lakes,
rivers  and  all  other  navigable  inland waterways  within
the  Province  of Cebu,  including  the  City  of Cebu,  ALL
PROVINCES, CITIES AND MUNICIPALITIES WITHIN THE
CENTRAL AND  EASTERN VISAYAS  and all other highly
urbanized cities therein which may hereafter be created
therein.


SEC.  2.    Section 21  of Republic Act No.  7621  is herety amended  to
read, as follows:
"SECTIO"   21.      Tra:irsfer   Of  Existing   Facilities   cnd,
JrLtarig{.b!e   Assets.   -   AIl   existing   facilities   including
wharves, piers, slips, docks, bulkheads, cargo terminals,
warehouses,    cold    storage,    loading   and   unloading
equipment,  and  passenger  terlninals  and  accessories,
within   the   EXPANDED   territorial  jurisdiction   of  the
Authority;  other lands,  buildings and other properties,
movable   or   immovable,   belonging   to   or   presently
administered by the Philippine Ports Authority WITHIN
THE EXPANDED TERRITORIAL JURISDICTION OF THE
AUTHORITY;  and  all  assets,  powers,  rights,  interests
and  privileges  relating  to  port  works  or  operations,
including all equipment,  are hereby transferred to  the
Authority."
SEC.  3.    Section  22  of Republic Act No.  7621  is hereby amended to
read, as follows:
"SECTION     22.      Projects   in  Progriess.   -  All  ongoing
projects     WITHIN     THE     EXPANDED     TERRITORIAL
JURISDICTION   OF  THE  AUTHORITY   relating  to   the
rehabilitation and/or construction of port facilities and
supply   of   equipment    shall    be    administered    and
undertaken by the Authority. "
SEC.  4.    Section 24  of Republic Act No.  7621  is hereby amended to
read, as follows:
"S;ECTTO"  24.  Abounon  Of  ALL  the  Port  Mcmagemert±
OFFICES  OF  THE  PHILIPPINE  PORTS  AIJTHORITY  IN


CENTRAL    AND    EASTERN    VISALYAS.    ~    The    Port
Management    Ofrices    OF`    THE    PHILIPPINE    PORTS
AUTHORITY IN CENTRAL AND EASTERN VISAYAS ARE
hereby abolished. The General Manager of the Authority
shall ensure the smooth transfer of responsibility from
the abolished ENTITIES to the Authority as well as the
determination  of  personnel  to  be  retained:   provided,
that  all  officials  and  employees  whose   services  are
terminated shall, if not eligible for retirement, be given
gratuities equivalent to  one  (1)  month  salary for every
year of continuous  satisfactory service  on  the  basis  of
the highest salary received in addition to other benefits
accorded to them by existing laws."
SEC.  5.    Appropriation.  -  The  amount  necessary  to  cany  out  the
provisions of this Act shall be included in the General Appropriations Act of
the year following its enactment into law and thereafter.
SEC.  6.    Separa,bility  Clause.  -  If any  provision  of this  Act  or  the
application  of  such  provision  to  any  person  or  circumstance  is  declared
unconstitutional,  the  remainder  of  this  Act  or  the  application  of  such
provision  to  other persons or circumstance  shall not be  affected  by  such
declaration.
SEC. 7.        Repealing Clause.  -All acts,  charters,  executive orders,
administrative  orders,  rules  and  regulations,  or  parts  thereof,  in  conflict
with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
SEC. 8.        Effectivity chuse. -This Act shall take effect fifteen (15)
days after its publication in at least two (2) national newspapers of general
circulation.
Approved,