HOUSE OF @EPRESENTATINES
RECEIVED
DATE: H 8

Republic of the Philippines

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TINE_j0
Quezon City 7 >

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session REQISTRATION UNIT

BILLS AND INDEX SERVICE

House Bill No.__099

Introduced by HON. DANILO E. SUAREZ

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Article 2, Section 10 of the 1987 Constitution provides that:
"The State shall promote social justice in all phases of national development.”

The 2009 Global Competitiveness Report published by the World Economic Forum
ranks the Philippines 98th out of 133 countries in terms of quality and quantity of
infrastructure. The Philippines’ ranking was the second worst in the Southeast Asian region,
faring better only to Timor Leste. Even Cambodia, whose per capita is lower at $602 in 2007
compared to the Philippines’ $1,624, ranks higher.

The link between investments in infrastructure and economic growth is well
established in the literature. Various studies reveal that there is a positive correlation between
infrastructure, economic growth and, ultimately, poverty reduction. Investments in
infrastructure can generate positive externalities throughout an economy, leading to social
returns that exceed private returns, as affirmed by Asian Development Bank Institute in its
study "The Benefits of Regional Infrastructure Investment in Asia: A Quantitative

Exploration."

* www-adbi.org/working-paper/2010/06/30/3923,


An efficient and well-maintained road system would allow a) reduced prices because
of competitive transport costs, b) better access to good paying work and basic social services,
©) production and marketing of higher-value cash crops and supply of cheaper agricultural
inputs, and d) good infrastructure also improves a country’s growth prospects by
strengthening its investment climate thereby making it attractive to foreign investors.”

A superhighway linking the provinces of Bicol, Quezon, Aurora, Quirino, Isabela, and
Cagayan will cut transportation time and hence facilitate trade among them. Increased trade
in these provinces will mean decongestion of Metro Manila because of lesser migration to
find better jobs. Basic social services can be easily delivered especially in time of calamities.
The Aurora and Cagayan Ecozones linked together means an attractive Pacific side
international trading center. Overall, the potential positive impact of this project will not only
redound to the six provinces involved but to the whole country.

This bill, as re-filed, is a consolidation of the bills of Hon. Aleta C. Suarez of Quezon
and Hon. Scott Davies Lanete of Masbate which was deliberated upon by the House of
Representatives’ Committees on Southern Tagalog Development and Appropriations during
the 16" Congress.

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

DANILO E. SUAREZ

Representative
3rd District, Quezon Province

World Bank 2008


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS:
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 599

Introduced by: Danilo E. Suarez

AN ACT
MANDATING THE CONSTRUCTION OF
‘THE QUEZON-BICOL EXPRESSWAY (QuBEx)

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

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Quezon-Bicol
Expressway Act.”

SEC. 2, Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to promote
optimum development among its regions.

SEC. 3. Creation of the Expressway. - There is hereby created the Quezon-
Bicol Expressway (QuBEx) which shall be financed, constructed, operated and
maintained by a grantee, offeror, consortium or proponent, under and by virtue of
Republic Act No. 6957, as amended by Republic Act No. 7718, otherwise known as
the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) Law. This Expressway shall link the province of
Quezon with the Bicol Region starting from Malicboy, Quezon and terminating in
the province of Sorsogon. The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)
Engineering District concerned shall construct the connector road for the purpose of
linking the terminus of the South Luzon Expressway (SLEx) Toll Road 4 (TRA) in
Lucena City, and the entrance of the QuBEx in Malicboy.

SEC. 4. Implementing Agency. - The DPWH shall be the lead implementing
agency for this Act.

SEC. 5. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to defray the cost of
undertaking, and completing the feasibility study for this project and other activities
relative thereto shalll be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days from
the approval of this Act, the DPWH shall, in consultation with the stakeholders,


formulate and promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the effective
implementation of this Act.

SEC. 7. Separability Clause. - Should any provision of this Act be declared
invalid or unconstitutional, no other provision hereof shall be thereby affected.

SEC. 8. Repealing Clause. - All laws, rules, regulations, orders, circulars, and
memoranda inconsistent with any provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or
modified accordingly.

SEC. 9. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved