NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
Second Regular Session 
)
S. No.
SENATE
2652
24 MAY-6 A10-.19
Rl-CEIVED BY;___
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Introduced by Senator Loren B. Legarda
AN ACT
DECLARING ST A. ANA DISTRICT IN THE CITY OF MANILA A HISTORICAL- 
CULTURAL HERITAGE ZONE, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND 
FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The 1987 Constitution, particularly Article XIV, Section 15 states that the State 
is responsible for conserving, promoting, and popularizing the nation's historical and 
cultural heritage, as well as its artistic creations.
Sta. Ana has been considered a priceless piece of the past for the City of Manila. 
It was originally called Santa Ana de Sapa after its titular patroness St. Anne, the 
mother of the Virgin Mary, and the Tagalog word sapa ("creek," "stream," or "rivulet"), 
the local name of the area's main settlement, which sat beside a small stream 
connecting to the Pasig River. It was known for its 18th-century Sta. Ana Church and 
historic ancestral homes.
On 22 September 2011, the City of Manila has issued City Ordinance No. 8244 
classifying Sta. Ana as a Histo-Cultural Heritage Overlay Zone. In a Resolution issued 
by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) on 12 May 2014, a 
portion of Sta. Ana was declared to be a heritage zone because of its unique 
streetscapes and riverscapes, as well as historic sites and structures including the


church complex, open spaces like Plaza Hugo, heritage houses, civic buildings, and 
shops. A buffer zone was designated to be maintained which will extend 10 meters 
from the center of all roads forming the perimeter of the core area. The requirement is 
that all new construction around the church that is located outside of the core and 
buffer zones and within a 200-meter radius must adhere to the established building 
character, height, and setback requirements with respect to the Sta. Ana Church.
Despite the issuance of the Ordinance and Resolution, the Histo-Cultural 
Heritage Overlay Zone of the neighborhood has now seen the construction of a 31- 
story condominium after the Manila City Council upheld the property developers' 
exemption from the local zoning restrictions. In 2019, the Sta. Cruz Building, a 
presumed Important Cultural Property.
This bill heeds the call of the Sta. Ana residents and heritage conservationists 
to put a stop to the continuous illicit acts which affront the cultural heritage that Sta. 
Ana represents. By providing national legislation and policies, the protection, 
restoration, development, maintenance, and management of the Sta. Ana Heritage 
Zone will be upheld.
In view of the foregoing, the immediate approval of this bill is earnestly sought.
LOREN LEGARDA


of till' ti' ■ Cl.117
NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
Second Regular Session 
)
S. No.
SENATE
2652
24 MAY “6 AlO ’-20
Introduced by Senator Loren B. Legarda
AN ACT
DECLARING ST A. ANA DISTRICT IN THE CITY OF MANILA A HISTORICAL- 
CULTURAL HERITAGE ZONE, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND 
FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Republic of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
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Section. 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Sta. Ana Heritage Zone
Act'
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the State's policy to support the preservation, 
enrichment, and dynamic evolution of the Filipino national culture, which is based on 
the idea of diversity within unity.
The State likewise values the conservation, promotion, and popularization of 
the nation's historical and cultural heritage, resources, and artistic creations. Towards 
this end, the State shall institute historical-cultural heritage zones that promote, 
maintain, and enhance the richness, quality, and remarkable culture of the 
Philippines.
Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act, the following terms shall be 
defined as follows:
(a) "Cultural heritage" shall refer to the totality of cultural property 
preserved and developed through time and passed on to posterity;


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(b) "Cultural property" shall refer to all products of human creativity by
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which a people and a nation reveal their identity, including churches,
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mosques and other places of religious worship, schools and natural
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history specimens and sites, whether public or privately-owned,
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movable or immovable, and tangible or intangible;
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(c) 
"Heritage zone" shall refer to historical, anthropological, archaeological,
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artistic geographical areas and settings that are culturally significant to
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the country, as declared by the National Museum and/or the National
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Historical Institute;
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(d) "Historical landmarks" shall refer to sites or structures that are associated
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with events or achievements significant to Philippine history as declared
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by the National Historical Institute;
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(e) "Historical monuments" shall refer to structures that honor illustrious
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persons or commemorate events of historical value as declared by the
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National Historical Institute;
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(f) "Historical shrines" shall refer to historical sites or structures hallowed
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and revered for their history or association as declared by the National
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Historical Institute;
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(g) "Historical street name" shall refer to a street name which has been in
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existence for at least fifty (50) years and over time has been considered
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historic;
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(h) "Important cultural property" shall refer to a cultural property having
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exceptional cultural, artistic and historical significance to the
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Philippines, as shall be determined by the National Museum and/or
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National Historical Institute;
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Sec. 4. Scope. - This Act shall be applicable to the following, such as but not
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entirely limited to:
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(a) 
Historical shrines;
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(b) Historical monuments;
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(c) 
Historical landmarks;
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(d) 
Historical structures;


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(e) 
Historical street names;
(f) 
Important cultural properties;
(g) 
Structures dating at least fifty (50) years old; and
(h) 
Documents or other works dating at least fifty (50) years old found in 
the area.
Sec. 5. Sta. Ana National Historical and Cultural Heritage Zone. - The Sta. Ana 
District in the City of Manila is hereby declared a heritage zone as defined in Section 
3(c) of this Act.
For the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this Act, the local government 
unit (LGU) concerned is directed to coordinate with the appropriate government 
agencies in the maintenance of heritage zones, protection of the appearance of streets, 
parks, monuments, buildings, and natural bodies of water, canals, paths, and 
barangays within the bounds of the heritage zone.
The LGU concerned shall coordinate with the appropriate government 
agencies, such as but not limited to:
(a) 
National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA);
(b) 
National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP);
(c) 
Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH);
(d) 
Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB); and
(e) 
Department of Tourism (DOT).
Sec. 6. Sta. Ana Histo-Cultural Committee. - The Sta. Ana Histo-Cultural 
Committee shall be composed of the following members:
(a) 
Mayor of the LGU as Chairman;
(b) 
Vice-Mayor of the LGU as Co-Chairman;
(c) 
Representative from the Manila Historical and Heritage Commission as 
Member;
(d) 
Representative from the Sta. Ana Heritage Tourism Association as 
Member;
(e) 
Representative from the NCCA as Member;
(f) 
Representative from the NCPH as Member;
(g) 
Representative from the DPWH as Member;


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(h) Representative from the HLURB as Member;
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(i) 
Representative from the DOT as Member;
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(j) Representative from the National Museum of the Philippines as
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Member;
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(k) Representative from the Manila City Planning and Development Office
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as Member;
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(1) Representative of the Department of Tourism, Culture, and Arts of
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Manila (DTCAM) as Member; and
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(m) City Engineer of the LGU as Member.
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Committee members may designate their duly authorized representative who
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shall have a rank not lower than an Assistant Secretary or its equivalent, as applicable.
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These representatives shall attend Committee meetings on their behalf and shall
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receive emoluments as may be determined by the Committee in accordance with
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existing budget and accounting rules and regulations.
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The Committee shall be organized within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of
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this Act. The majority of the Committee members shall constitute a quorum.
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Sec. 7. Powers and Functions of the Sta. Ana Histo-Cultural Committee. - The
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Committee shall have the following powers and functions:
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(a) Safeguard Sta. Ana's historic and cultural heritage, as embodied and
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reflected in such historic areas, places, buildings and structures, and by
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appropriate regulations;
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(b) Promote economic stability and prosperity of the community by
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encouraging the most appropriate use of such significant property in
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Sta. Ana;
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(c) Protect and enhance Sta. Ana's attractions to tourists and visitors as well
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as provide support and stimulus to business and industry;
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(d) Promote the education and patriotic heritage of present and future
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residents of the City;
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(e) Balance the rights of the public which justify the preservation of the Sta.
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Ana's history and culture, with those of property owners who own and


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control property and are entitled to reasonable use and return of their 
assets;
(f) 
Guided by the legal mandates of the agencies concerned, direct 
appropriate national government agencies and concerned LGUs to 
implement policies and programs in furtherance of this Act;
(g) 
Coordinate with various sectors and agencies to ensure coherent 
strategic direction and programs;
(h) 
In coordination with the concerned LGU, plan, formulate, coordinate, 
execute policies and implement programs, projects, and activities of the 
government affecting or relating to Sta. Ana;
(i) 
Enter into contractual arrangements with any private persons or 
entity/ies or any government agency/ies, either domestic or foreign, 
whenever necessary for the effective discharge of its functions and 
responsibilities under such terms and conditions as it may deem proper 
and reasonable under existing laws;
(j) 
Acquire through sale, expropriation, or other means, hold real and 
personal property as it may deem necessary or convenient in the 
successful prosecution of its work, and lease, mortgage, sell, alienate, or 
otherwise dispose of such personal and real property in accordance with 
existing laws;
(k) 
Receive, take and hold by settlement, grant, device, donation, gift, 
purchase or lease, from foreign or domestic sources, either absolutely or 
in trust for any of its purposes, any asset, grant or property, real or 
personal, subject to such limitations as are provided in existing laws and 
regulations; to convey such assets, grant or property; invest and reinvest 
the same and deal with and expand its assets and income in such 
manner as will best promote its objectives;
(l) 
Regularly monitor and observe the maintenance of the heritage zone;
(m) Conduct research necessary to: (1) help maintain the heritage zone; (2) 
identify and distinguish cultural properties; and (3) assess the


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effectiveness of policies and programs designed for the preservation of
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the heritage zone;
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(n) Perform other functions as may be necessary for the implementation of
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this Act.
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The Committee shall endeavor to use integrated, community-centered,
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participatory, responsive, and sustainable principles in the development,
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implementation, and assessment of policies and programs to benefit the heritage zone.
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Sec. 8. Sta. Ana Heritage Zone Development Plan. - Aside from the above-
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mentioned powers and functions of the Committee, the Committee must draft an
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extensive Sta. Ana Heritage Zone Development Plan, taking into account the policies
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and programs for the heritage zone. All parties interested in the protection,
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preservation, conservation, restoration, and promotion of the city's cultural heritage
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must participate in the plan's creation. Through the holding of open hearings and
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drafting sessions where their input will be solicited, the participation of important
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organizations and individual parties shall be assured.
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The Development Plan shall include the following details, such as but not
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limited to:
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(a) Structural development and activities to be allowed to operate in Sta.
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Ana which shall be limited to those that are consistent and compatible
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with the historical character of the area and shall furthermore not be the
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source of air, noise, water, or other types of pollution;
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(b) Archaeological Impact Assessment mitigating the development impact
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on important archaeological sites;
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(c) Architectural design and character, height restrictions, and building
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modifications to conform to the design and standards to be adopted in
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the designated Histo-Cultural Zone;
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The preparation of the plan shall be in coordination with the NCCA and its
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affiliated cultural agencies, NHCP, DPWH, HLURB, and the DOT, and other
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concerned agencies. Further details of the plan shall be in accordance with research
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conducted on the heritage zone and such shall be incorporated into the plan to benefit
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the preservation of the heritage zone.


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Sec. 9. Cultural Mapping. - The City of Manila shall conduct a cultural mapping
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project within the boundaries of the proposed Sta. Ana Heritage Zone to identify
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historic sites and structures to be preserved. The result of the cultural mapping would
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be the basis of decision-making on the district's preservation and development.
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Sec. 10. Annual Report. - The Committee shall submit comprehensive annual
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reports to the Congress of the Philippines, which shall include its assessment of the
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policies, programs, and services, and the status of its implementation, including, but
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not limited to, progress reports, challenges, recommendations, review of the policies
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involved, research and data, accomplishments, effects on the stakeholders, and other
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reports integral to the implementation of this Act.
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Sec. 11. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Committee, through its
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Chairperson, shall issue the necessary rules and regulations for the effective
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implementation of this Act within one hundred and twenty (120) days from its
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approval. The Committee, in consultation with LGUs, appropriate government
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agencies, non-government organizations, people's organizations, and other key
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stakeholders, shall lead the preparation of the implementing rules and regulations.
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The rules and regulations issued pursuant to this Section shall take effect fifteen (15)
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days after its publication in a newspaper of general circulation.
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Sec. 12. Appropriations. - The funds necessary to carry out the initial
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implementation of this Act shall be charged against the respective budget of the
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concerned agencies for the current year. Subsequently, such amount as may be
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necessary for the continued implementation of this Act shall be included in the annual
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General Appropriations Act.
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Sec. 13. Sunset Review. - Within three (3) years after the effectivity of this Act,
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or as the need arises, the Congress shall conduct a sunset review. For purposes of this
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Act, the term "sunset review" shall mean a systematic evaluation by the Committee
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on Culture and Arts of the Senate of the accomplishments and impact of this Act, as
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well as the performance and organizational structure of its implementing agencies,
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for purposes of determining remedial legislation.


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Sec. 14. Separability Clause. - In case any part, section, or provision of this Act
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shall be held invalid or unconstitutional by a court with jurisdiction, no other part,
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section, or provision thereof shall be affected thereby.
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Sec. 15. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and
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regulations, issuances, or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are
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hereby repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.
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Sec. 16. Ejfectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete
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publication either in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general
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circulation.
Approved,