FIFTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
FIRST REGULAR SESSION )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez and
Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.

House Bill No__2945

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to include the participation of the members from the
opposition parties in the Senate and the House of Representatives in the
development and formulation of mechanisms for the equitable distribution and
utilization of Official Development Assistance (ODA) funds amending for the
purposes Republic Act No. 8182, otherwise known as “The Official Development
Assistance Act of 1996.”

Official Development Assistance (ODA), as defined in Republic Act No.
8182, is a loan or loan and grant with the objective of promoting sustainable
social and economic development. ODA seeks to utilize the economic
opportunities available to the country, which require adequate financial funding
and infrastructure support.

Under the same law, the National Economic and Development Authority is
mandated to administer the ODA funds for project identification, feasibility
studies, master planning at local and regional levels, and monitoring and
evaluation. Since the President of the Republic of the Philippines is mandated to
develop and formulate the mechanism for the equitable distribution and utilization
of ODA funds to all provinces, upon the recommendation of NEDA, it is
necessary to include the members of the dominant opposition parties in the
Senate and the House of Representatives in the formulation of recommendations
to ensure a balanced and objective policy making and in the implementation of
the law governing ODA funds. Further, the participation of the members of
opposition in making recommendation in the administration of ODA funds, will
promote wider participation and transparency in the planning and execution of
the policies and programs of the government.

In view of the foregoing, immediate approval of this is earnestly requested.

RUBUS B. RODRIGUEZ

win Ceorever, JR.


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
FIRST REGULAR SESSION )
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez and
Representative Maximo B, Rodriguez, Jr.

House Bill No. 2945
AN ACT
MANDATING THE PARTICIPATION OF THE MEMBERS FROM THE
OPPOSITION PARTIES IN THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES IN THE DEVELOPMENT AND FORMULATION OF THE
MECHANISM FOR THE EQUITABLE DISTRIBUTION AND UTILIZATION OF
THE OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE (ODA) FUNDS, AMENDING
FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8182, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS
“THE OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE ACT OF 1996”

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

SECTION 1. Section 6 of Republic Act No. 8182, otherwise known as
“The Official Development Assistance Act of 1996,” as amended, is hereby
further amended to read as follows:

“Sec. 6. Mechanism for the Distribution and Utilization of
ODA Funds. — The President of the Republic of the Philippines,
upon recommendation of the NEDA AND TWO (2) MEMBERS
FROM EACH OF THE DOMINANT MINORITY PARTIES IN THE
SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, TO BE
DESIGNATED BY THEIR RESPECTIVE MINORITY LEADERS
shall develop and formulate the mechanism for the equitable
distribution and utilization of ODA funds to all provinces consistent
with the provisions of this Act.”

SEC. 2. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in
any two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.

Approved.