Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTA’
Quezon City, Metro Manila

SEVENTEENTH CONGRE!
First Regular Session
192
HOUSE BILL NO.

REEISTRATION UNIT
BALLS AND ii

Introduced by BENHUR L. SALIMBANGON,

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks for the creation of an economic development zone in
the 4th District of Cebu Province as a responsive tool in eradicating, if not
minimizing poverty that the people in the district are experiencing by providing
employment to the skilled and trained men and women in the district as
well as giving the people the opportunity to do business in the premises.

The existence of economic zone will undoubtedly redound to the
benefit ofthe people in areaswhere they operate, Aside from giving the
people the opportunity to eam a living, economic development zone isa
sound revenue generating measure for local goverment units having
Jurisdiction over their operations. Thus, our local governments would be capable
of delivering better and efficient basic social services to the people.

OF the entire province of Cebu, it is the 4th district that is best
suited for the establishment of the said economic development zone. The district
has all the economic factors and qualifications required of a viable economic
zone. It has the widest stretch of flat land, a very rich land resource. It is
likewise capable of producing literate, educated, and skilled workers.

‘The creation of an economic development zone in the district is likewise a tool
to decongest the growing population in the highly urbanized areas of Cebu. Highly
urbanized areas in Cebu have already experienced severe and heavy traffic due to the
migration of people in order to secure a better employment. With the creation of an
economic development zone in the 4" District of Cebu, professionals and other
qualified individuals living within the area and its neighboring municipalities would
not anymore seek for employment elsewhere,

In view of the foregoing considerations, the immediate consideration
and approval of this bill is highly recommended.

BENHUR L. SALIMBANGON

SERVICE i


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

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

4
HOUSE BILL NO, 1923

Introduced by BENHUR L. SALIMBANGON

AN ACT CREATING AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ZONE IN THE 4TH
DISTRICT OF CEBU PROVINCE, CREATING FOR THIS PURPOSE THE
4TH DISTRICT OF CEBU ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ZONE
AUTHORITY, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR,

AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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

Section 1. Title. There is hereby created the Cebu 4th District Economic
Development Zone Authority.

Section 2. Declaration of Policy. It is hereby declared the policy
of the State to encourage and promote the attainment of a sound and balanced
industrial, economic, and social development in the country through the
promotion of private enterprises. Towards this end, the State shall endeavor to
establish economic development zones in suitable and selected areas in the
country where enterprises will be given incentives to create an environment
conducive to business. This shall be a conduit to attract local and foreign
investors, generate employment opportunities, and encourage the regional
dispersal of industries.

Section 3. Creation of the Cebu 4th District Economic Development
Zone. In accordance with the foregoing policy and subject to the concurrence
of the local government unit affected by the establishment of the zone, there is
hereby established an economic zone to be referred to as the CEBU 4th DISTRICT
ECOZONE. The specific meets and bounds of the CEBU 4th DISTRICT ECOZONE
shall be more particularly defined in a presidential proclamation that shall be issued
for this purpose.


‘The Philippine Export Zone Authority (PEZA), in coordination with
the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) shall formulate and issue the
necessary rules and regulations necessary for the evaluation, approval, and
implementation of this Act.

Section 4. Governing Principles. The Cebu 4th District Economic
Development Zone shall be managed and operated within the framework and
limitations of the Constitution, Corporation Code, the applicable provisions of
the Local Government Code, the Tax Code, Tariff and Customs Code and such other
laws, rules, and regulations applicable.

‘The CEBU 4th DISTRICT ECOZONE shall be permitted to develop into a
decentralized, self-reliant, and self-sustaining agricultural, industrial,
commercial, and financial center complete with the facilities forland, air,
and sea transportation as well as telecommunications and such other facilities
that will attract legitimate foreign investors or locators.

Ultimately, the CEBU 4th DISTRICT ECOZONE shall be able to generate
employment opportunities to the people in the districtand its neighboring
municipalities.

Section 5. Creation of the Cebu 4th District Economic Development Zone
Authority. Subject to the concurrence of the local government unit that will be
affected by the establishment of the CEBU 4th DISTRICT ECOZONE, there is
hereby created a corporate body to be referred to as the CEBU 4th DISTRICT
ECOZONE AUTHORITY which shall manage and operate the zone.

Section 6. Powers, Functions, and Administration of the Ecozone. The
Philippine Export Zone Authority (PEZA), in coordination with the Department of
Trade and Industry (DTI) shall formulate and issue such powers, functions , and its
limitations as well as the governing laws and by-laws of the Ecozone
Authority.

Section 7. Separability Clause. If any provision of this Act shall be-held
unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions not otherwise affected shall
remain in full force and effect. “t

Section 8. Repealing Clause. Alll laws, executive orders or issuances, or any
part thereof which are inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed or amended
accordingly.

Section 9. Effectivity Clause. This Act shall take effect immediately upon its
approval.

Approved,