Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

318

House Bill No.

Introduced by Representatives
GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO and DIOSDADO MACAPAGAL ARROYO

AN ACT STRENGTHENING FURTHER THE ORGANIC ACT FOR THE
AUTONOMOUS REGION IN MUSLIM MINDANAO, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9054 “AN ACT TO STRENGTHEN AND EXPAND ORGANIC
ACT FOR THE AUTONOMOUS REGION IN MUSLIM MINDANAO, AMENDING FOR
THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 6734, ENTITLED ‘AN ACT PROVIDING FOR
THE AUTONOMOUS REGION IN MUSLIM MINDANAO’, AS AMENDED” AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Republic Act No. 9054 which strengthened and expanded the Organic Act for the
Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) was passed in 2001 to address
substantial gaps of Republic Act No. 6734 otherwise known as the “Organic Act for the
Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao”. RA 9054 was yet another step to strengthen
the ARMM as a means to bring about sustainable social and economic development in
the area within the overall context of attaining long-term peace in the southern part of
the country.

The armed conflict in the area between government troops and the Muslim rebels
adversely affected the area and its population. Economic growth has been stunted in
the otherwise mineral-rich and agriculture-fertile region. In fact, according to the United
States Development Programme, seven (7) out of ten (10) provinces of ARMM ranked
worst on the country’s human development ratings.

The government has always regarded the resolution of the armed conflict in
Mindanao as a major priority. Over the decades, there had been a growing appreciation
of the complex issues and concerns in the area. Every administration has endeavoured
to resolve the Mindanao conflict by engaging Muslim rebels to a peace negotiation with
varying levels of success.

Admittedly, much is left to be done to bring about sustainable development in
Mindanao. While the executive branch continue to look for political solutions, it is
imperative for the legislative branch to pass responsive laws to improve the
administration and governance in the region.

This is the compelling interest that calls for the review of Republic Act 9054.
There is a need to amend its provisions to make them more responsive and relevant to
prevailing needs and conditions in the area. The passage of this legislative measure is a
critical component to usher in a new era of change and development in Muslim
Mindanao.

GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO DIOSDADO' GAL ARROYO
2nd District, Pampanga 2" District, Camarines Sur


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House BillNo.___—s 3 18

Introduced by Representatives
GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO and DIOSDADO MACAPAGAL ARROYO

AN ACT STRENGTHENING FURTHER THE ORGANIC ACT FOR THE
AUTONOMOUS REGION IN MUSLIM MINDANAO, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE.
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9054 “AN ACT TO STRENGTHEN AND EXPAND ORGANIC
ACT FOR THE AUTONOMOUS REGION IN MUSLIM MINDANAO, AMENDING FOR
THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 6734, ENTITLED ‘AN ACT PROVIDING FOR
THE AUTONOMOUS REGION IN MUSLIM MINDANAO’, AS AMENDED” AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES

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

Section 1. Sections 2, 4, and 5, Article V of Republic Act No.9054, are hereby
amended to read as follows:

peed XXX XXX

“Sec. 2. Cabinet Membership - [As far as applicable] [iJt shall be the
policy of the national government that there shall be at least one (1) member of
the cabinet with a rank of a department secretary who is an inhabitant of the
autonomous region to be recommended by the Regional Governor [in
consultation with elected officials and concerned sectors of the
autonomous region]

Xxx XXX XXX"

“Sec. 4. Representation of Autonomous Region in General in the Central
Government or National Government — Representation of the inhabitants of the
autonomous region in the central government or national government may be
done by appointment or election.

Appointment of inhabitants of the autonomous region to positions in the
central government or national government shall be subject to central
government or national government standards and guidelines. Such appointment
shall be made [only] upon recommendation by the Regional Governor [after
consultation with the Regional Assembly and the concerned sectors of the
autonomous region.]

Right of representation shall not be construed in such a way that
applicants from the autonomous region, especially Muslims and cultural
communities, for lower positions in the above organs of the government cannot
be appointed anymore thereto.

Election of legislators to represent the autonomous region in the Congress
of the Republic shall be done pursuant to the rules of the Commission on
Elections.


Sec. 5. Representatives in Executive Departments and Constitutional
Bodies — At least, one (1) qualified inhabitant of the autonomous region
recommended by the Regional Governor [in consultation with the Regional
Assembly and concerned sectors of the autonomous region] shall be
appointed, [as far as practicable] in each of the departments, offices or
bureaus and constitutional bodies of the central government or national
government [that deal with the autonomous region,] in primarily confidential,
highly technical, or policy-determining positions.

Xxx YOK Xxx

Sec. 2. Section 2, Article VII of the same Act, is hereby amended to read as
follows:

XxX Xxx 20x

Sec. 2. Regional Governor and Cabinet Members - The Regional
Governor shall be the chief executive of the Regional Government. He shall be
assisted by a cabinet [not exceeding ten (10) members, at least six (6) of
whom shall come from indigenous cultural communities] WHOSE NUMBER
SHALL BE DETERMINED IN THE REGIONAL ADMINISTRATIVE CODE. The
representatives of the indigenous cultural communities in the cabinet shall come
from various provinces and cities within the autonomous region

The members of the cabinet must be registered voters and residents of
the region for at least five (5) years immediately preceding their appointments.

The Regional Governor shall appoint the members of the cabinet subject
to confirmation by the Regional Assembly.

Xxx OK xxx"

Sec. 3. Sections 2, 3, 4 and 23, Article VII of the same Act, are hereby amended
to read as follows:

XXX XXX Xx

Sec. 2. Justices from Autonomous Region — It shall be the policy of the
central government or national government that [, whenever feasible,] at least
one (1) [justice] MEMBER in the Supreme Court and two (2) [justices]
MEMBERS in the Court of Appeals shall come from [qualified jurists] of the
autonomous region.

For this purpose, the Regional Governor [may, after consultations with
the Regional Assembly and concerned sectors in the autonomous region,]
SHALL submit the names of qualified persons to the Judicial and Bar Council for
its consideration. The appointments of those recommended by the Regional
Governor to the judicial positions mentioned above are without prejudice to
appointments that may be extended to [other qualified] inhabitants of the
autonomous region to other [positions] COURTS in the Judiciary.

Sec. 3. Consultant to the Judicial and Bar Council — The President shall
appoint a qualified person as a consultant to the Judicial and Bar Council
recommended by the Regional Governor OF THE AUTONOMOUS REGION [in
consultation with the concerned sectors of the autonomous region. The
person recommended by the Regional Governor] shall first be confirmed
by the Regional Assembly. Once appointed by the President, the
consultant] who shall [sit with the Judicial and Bar Council only to] advise
and be consulted by the council on [matters of] appointments to judicial
positions in the autonomous region.


Sec. 4. Deputy Court Administrator FOR THE SHARI'AH COURTS — The
Office of the Deputy Court Administrator for the autonomous region is hereby
created. The Deputy Court Administrator for the autonomous region shall be
appointed by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court from among three
recommendees submitted by the Regional Governor [upon previous
confirmation by the Regional Assembly and after consultation with the
concerned sectors of the autonomous region.] HE SHALL BE A MUSLIM
AND AT LEAST A GRADUATE OF A TWO (2) YEAR COURSE ON ISLAMIC
LAW AND JURISPRUDENCE. HE SHALL HAVE THE RANK OF ASSOCIATE
JUSTICE OF THE COURT OF APPEALS.

Xxx XXX xX"

“Sec. 23. Bases for Interpretation of Islamic Law — Subject to the
provisions of the Constitution, the Shari'ah courts shall interpret Islamic law
based on sources such as:

a) Al-Qur'an (The Koran);
b) Al-Sunnah (Prophetic traditions)

©) [Al-Qiyas (Analogy)] AL-IJIMA (CONSENSUS); and,
d) [Al-ljima (Consensus)] AL-QIYAS (ANALOGY)

Sec. 4. Sections 2, 6, and 8 of Article IX of the same Act, are hereby amended to
read as follows:

OK 200 xx

Sec. 2. Fiscal Autonomy — The Regional Government shall enjoy fiscal
autonomy in generating and budgeting its own sources of revenue, its share of
the internal revenue taxes and block grants and subsidies remitted to it by the
central government or national government or any door.

The utilization of its share of the internal revenue taxes and block grants
or subsidies from the central government or national government shall be subject
to [a] semi-annual and annual audits by the Commission on Audit and to the
rules and regulations of the Department of Budget and Management. All
accountable officials of the Regional Government shall, upon demand, furnish
the Commission on Audit all documents, papers, and effects necessary for the
completion of the audit. Failure to do so shall empower the President or the
Secretary of Finance to reduce, suspend, or cancel the release of funds intended
for the autonomous region to the extent of the amounts that cannot be audited for
reasons attributable to the officials of the autonomous region or are unaccounted
for after audit

If more than half of the funds released to the autonomous region by the
central government or national government remain unaccounted for six (6)
months after the audit mentioned above, the Secretary of Finance may also
suspend or cancel the release of any or all funds allocated by the central
government or national government for the autonomous region. Officials of the
Regional Government who fail to submit the documents, papers and effects
demanded by the Commission on Audit within the period specified herein may be
suspended or removed from office by the President upon recommendation of the
Secretary for Finance.

The utilization of the revenue generated by the Regional Government and
block grants or subsidies remitted to it by foreign or domestic donors shall be
‘subject to the rules and regulations of the Regional Government Department of
the Budget and Management if any, and to audit by regional government
auditors. In the absence of such rules and regulations, the audit of the said
funds, block grants or subsidies shall be done by the Commission on audit and
the use thereof shall be in accordance with the rules and regulations of the


Department of the Budget and Management of the central government or
national government.

[The results of the audit mentioned in this Sec. shall be published in
national newspapers of general circulation and in newspapers of regional
circulation. The results shall also be announced over government-owend
radio and television stations.

Xxx XXX xxx"

“Sec. 6. Payment of Taxes — Corporations, partnerships, or firms directly
engaged in business in the autonomous region shall pay their corresponding
taxes, fees and charges in the province or city, where the corporation,
partnership, or firm is doing business

Corporations, partnerships, or firms whose central, main or head offices
are located outside the autonomous region but which are doing business within
its territorial jurisdiction, [by] SUCH AS, BUT NOT LIMITED TO farming,
developing, or utilizing the land, aquatic, or natural resources therein, shall pay
the income taxes corresponding to the income realized from their business
operations in the autonomous region to the city, or municipality where their
branch offices or business operations or activities are located.

Xxx XxX ee

“Sec. 8. Sources of Regional Government Revenue — The sources of
revenues of the Regional Government shall include, but are not limited to, the
following:

a) Xx
Xxx 20x Xxx

f) Block grants derived from economic agreements or conventions
entered into or authorized by the Regional Assembly donations,
endowments, foreign assistance, and other forms of aid [subject to
the pertinent provisions of the Constitution]

Sec. 5. Section 7, Article XII of the same Act is hereby amended to read as
follows:

100 1x XxX

Sec. 7. Preferential Rights of Citizen-Inhabitants of Autonomous Region - -
[Subject to the exceptions provided in this Organic Act, [c] Citizens who
are inhabitants of the autonomous region shall have preferential rights over the
exploration, utilization, and development of natural resources of the autonomous
region. Existing rights over the exploration, utilization, and development of
natural resources shall be respected subject to the exceptions specified in this
Organic Act.”

Sec. 6. Section 10-A Creating the Regional Economic Development Authority
(REDA)

“Sec. 10. Regional Economic and Development Planning Board;
Composition and Functions.

Xxx XXX OX

Sec. 10-A. CREATING THE REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
AUTHORITY — A REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
(REDA) IS HEREBY CREATED TO, AMONG OTHERS, ASSIST THE REDPB.
AND PERFORM SUCH FUNCTIONS SIMILAR TO THE NATIONAL


ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (NEDA). PROVIDED HOWEVER,
THAT THE PERSONNEL OF THE EXISTING REGIONAL PLANNING AND
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OFFICE (RPDO) AS PROVIDED IN REGIONAL
ACT NO. 4 WILL BE ABSORBED BY THE REDA WITHOUT DIMINUTION OF
THEIR RANKS, SALARIES AND BENEFITS.

Sec. 7. Sections 29 and 30, Article XII of the same Act are hereby amended to
read as follows:

“Sec, 29. Islamic Banks - [The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas shall
establish an Islamic Bank and authorize the establishment of its branches
in the autonomous region.

The members of the board of directors or trustees of the Islamic
Bank shall be appointed by the President upon recommendation of the
Regional Governor. The persons recommended by the Regional Governor
shall possess educational qualifications and sufficient experience in the
management and operation of Islamic banking and shall be subject to
confirmation by the Regional Assembly before they are recommended to
the President. The board of directors or trustees of the bank shall elect
from among their members the chair, the vice chair and the president of
the bank. Other bank officials and employees shall be appointed by the
president of the bank.) THE ESTABLISHMENT OF ISLAMIC BANKS AND
OTHER BRANCHES WITHIN AND OUTSIDE THE AUTONOMOUS REGION
SHALL BE SUBJECT TO THE PRIOR APPROVAL OF THE MONETARY
BOARD.

AN ISLAMIC BANKING UNIT SHALL BE ESTABLISHED IN THE
BANGKO SENTRAL FOR THE PUROSE OF SUPERVISING ISLAMIC
BANKS, WHICH SHALL INCLUDE QUALIFIED ISLAMIC BANKING
EXPERTS TO BE NOMINATED BY THE GOVERNOR OF THE REGIONAL
AUTONOMOUS GOVERNMENT AND WHOSE APPOINTMENTS SHALL BE
SUBJECT TO THE APPLICABLE QUALIFICATION STANDARD OF THE
BANGKO SENTRAL. THE HEAD OF THE UNIT SHALL BE APPOINTED
FROM AT LEAST THREE (3) QUALIFIED PERSONS NOMINATED BY THE
GOVERNOR OF THE REGIONAL AUTONOMOUS GOVERNMENT, SUBJECT
TO THE APPLICABLE QUALIFICATION STANDARDS OF THE BANGKO.
SENTRAL.

Sec. 30. Bangko Sentral Regional [Bank] OFFICE - The Bangko Sentral
ng Pilipinas shall establish a Bangko Sentral Regional [Bank] OFFICE with full
banking services in the capital city or any suitable municipality in the autonomous
region within one (1) year from the approval of this Organic Act. The Regional
Governor shall submit a list of qualified persons to the appropriate Bangko
Sentral authority from which the staff of the regional office may be chosen. The
rights of the Bangko Sentral personnel who are occupying positions in the
Bangko Sentral Regional Office as of the date of the approval of this Organic Act
to continue as such shall be respected.”

Sec. 8. Sections 3, 5(b) and (h) and 9, Artilce XIII of the same Act are hereby
amended to read as follows:

XXX 1X XXX

Sec. 3. Law Governing Regional Police Force — The Regional Assembly
shall enact laws to govern the Regional Police Force consistent with the pertinent
provisions of the Constitution and this Organic Act, TAKING INTO
CONSIDERATION OTHER APPLICABLE LAWS.

[The members of the Moro National Liberation Front who are
integrated into the Regional Police Force may be deployed in the


autonomous region or elsewhere in the Republic as may be determined by
the proper police authorities]

X00 peed XXX

Sec. 5. Powers and Functions of Regional Police Force — The Regional
Police Force shall exercise within the autonomous region the following powers
and functions:

(a) Xxx 7x 0%

(b) Maintain [law] PEACE and order and ensure public safety; xxx

(h) Perform such other duties and exercise all other functions as may be
provided by law [enacted by Congress or by Regional Assembly).

Xxx” XXX XxX"

Sec. 7. Regional Police Framework and Organization — The philosophical
framework and structural organization of the Regional Police Force shall be as
follows:

(a) It shall be civilian in nature and character;

(b) The scope of its operations shall be regional. [The Regional Police
Force, units or personnel may be deployed elsewhere in the
Republic as directed by the National Police Commission or when
needed to suppress lawless violence, pursue, and arrest criminal
offenders or maintain law and order. In such circumstances, the
order to deploy must be signed by the chairman of the National
Police Commission and approved by the President. The President
may also order the said deployment on his own authority;]

Xxx XXX XXX

[Sec. 9. Regional Police Directors — The selection assignment, and
appointment of the Provincial and City Directors of the Regional
Police Force and the assignment of Moro National Liberation Front
integrees shall be done pursuant to Republic Act No. 6975, the
Philippine National Police Law and Republic Act No. 8551 the
Philippine National Police Reform and Reorganization Act of 1998.]

Xxx XXX XXX

Sec. 9. Sections 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 18 and 20, Article XIV of the same Act are
hereby amended to read as follows:

“ARTICLE XIV
Education, Science and Technology, Arts, and Sports

Xxx x rox
Sec. 2. Policies and Principles — Consistent with the basic state policy on
education, the Regional Government shall adopt the following educational
policies and principles:
Xxx 200 od
() Development of regional language. A regional language WHICH
CAN BE UNIVERSALLY ACCEPTED AND UNDERSTOOD may
be evolved and developed from the different dialects in the region;

Ko Xxx XXX


(k) Teaching of Arabic LANGUAGE as subject. Arabic LANGUAGE
shall be taught as a subject in all grade levels as required for
Muslims under existing laws and optional, for non-Muslims;

Xxx XXX OK
(0) (1) Basic education structure.
Xxx XxX XXX

(6) Primary responsibility for learning aids and instructional
materials. The Regional Government shall have the primary
responsibility to provide learning aids and instructional materials to
the schools in the autonomous region in addition to those already
prescribed AND SUPPLIED by the central government or national
government

Xxx XXX XXX

(7) Responsibility for selection, recruitment, appointment,
promotion, and civil service protection of teachers and non-teaching
personnel.

Xxx XXX XXX

b) The Regional Government may impose its regionally-defined
standards for the employment of teaching and non-teaching
personnel in its school system which, however, shall not be lower
than the NATIONAL standards of the Department of Education [,
Culture and Sports].

Xxx XXX XXX

Sec. 3 Regional Educational Curricula - The COMMISSION ON HIGHER
EDUCATION (CHED), THE TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND SKILLS
DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (TESDA) AND THE Regional Department of
Education, Culture and Sports shall develop curricula that are relevant to the
economic, social, political, cultural, moral, and spiritual needs of the people in the
autonomous region.

THE REGIONAL GOVERNMENT SHALL HAVE ITS REGIONAL
EDUCATION ACT FOR IT TO FOLLOW IN FRAMING A CURRICULUM
WHICH WILL BE APPROPRIATE, APPLICABLE AND ACCEPTABLE TO THE
WAY OF LIFE AND TO THE PEOPLE OF THE REGION, PROVIDED THAT
SUCH CURRICULUM, INCLUDING ITS CONTENT AND LEVEL OF
COMPETENCIES ARE CONSISTENT WITH AND ARE EQUAL TO THE
NATIONAL STANDARDS OF DEPED, CHED AND TESDA.

THE REGIONAL AUTONOMOUS GOVERNMENT EDUCATION
SYSTEM WILL ADOPT THE BASIC EDUCATION CORE COURSES IN
ENGLISH, MATHEMATICS, SCIENCE, FILIPINO AND MAKABAYAN FOR
ALL FILIPINO CHILDREN AS AWLL AS THE MINIMUN REQUIRED
LEARNING, COMPETENCIES AND ORIENTATIONS PROVIDED BY THE
NATIONAL GOVERNMENT, INCLUDING THE SUBJECT AREAS AND THEIR
DAILY TIME ALLOTMENT. TEACHING MATERIALS AND CURRICULUM
CONTENTS SHALL PROMOTE SOLIDARITY, UNITY IN DIVERSITY, FILIPINO.
AND ISLAMIC VALUES.

Sec. 4. Education, Management, and Control of Education - The
management, control, and supervision of the regional educational subsystem
shall be the primary concern of the Regional Government.


The Department of Education [, Culture and Sports], the Commission on
Higher Education, and the Technical Education and Skills Development
Authority, and other appropriate educational bodies of the central government or
national government shall [monitor compliance by the ] COORDINATE WITH
regional educational subsystem [with national educational policies,
standards, and regulations]. The Department of Education, Culture and
Sports, the Commission on Higher Education, and the Technical Education and
Skills Development Authority of the Regional Government shall Participate in
policy and decision-making activities of their counterparts of the central
government or national government in matters that affect the regional
educational subsystem.

Educational Structure

Sec. 5. The Regional Assembly may, by law, create, support and maintain
a regional Department of Education, Culture and Sports, COMMISSION ON
HIGHER EDUCATION, TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND SKILLS
DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY, EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS AND OTHER
HIGHER EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS OF LEARNING and shall define [its]
THEIR powers, functions, and composition.

Xxx XXX XXX
Sec. 6. Private Schools Supervision
Xxx XXX XXX

b) Private schools, including sectarian and non-sectarian institutions of
learning of whatever level, may organize themselves and shall have
the right to participate and be represented by three (3) representative
in the deliberations of the Regional Department of Education [Culture
and Sports], CHED, TESDA AND OTHER EDUCATIONAL
INSTITUTIONS on matters dealing with private schools.

©) The representatives of the private schools to the Regional Department
of Education, Culture and Sports, CHED, TESDA AND OTHE
EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS shall act for the sectarian Christian
schools, non-sectarian schools, and the schools of the lumads, if any.

Xxx XXX XXX

Sec. 7. Educational Subsystem Structure — The organizational structure of
the regional educational subsystem shall follow the basic structure of the
educational system of the central government or national government. The
Regional Assemble may, however, create its own structures. It shall prescribe
the same curricular years as those prescribed nationally. THE EDUCATIONAL
SUBSYSTEM STRUCTURE SHALL BE SPELLED OUT IN A REGINAL
EDUCATION ACT THAT WILL BE FRAMED BY THE REGIONAL ASSEMBLY.

Xxx XXX XXX

Sec. 10. [Tribal] INDIGENOUS BANGSAMORO University System - The
Regional Assembly [may] SHALL create AN INDIGENOUS BANGSAMORO [a
tribal] university system within the autonomous region to address the higher
educational needs of the indigenous cultural communities in the region

Xxx XXX XXX

Sec. 18. Non-Formal Education — The Regional Department of Education,
Culture and Sports shall institutionalize non-formal education in scope and
methodology, to include literacy, numeracy, and intensive skills training of the
youth and adults.


THE REGIONAL AUTONOMOUS GOVERNMENT EDUCATIONAL
SYSTEM SHALL DEVELOP THE FULL POTENTIAL OF ITS HUMAN
RESOURCES, RESPOND POSITIVELY TO THE CHANGING NEEDS AND
CONDITIONS OF THE ENVIRONMENT, AND INSTITUTIONALIZE NON-
FORMAL EDUCATION TO INCLUDE LITERACY, NUMERACY, AND
INTESIVE SKILLS TRAINING OF THE YOUTH AND ADULT, TO ALLOW
THEM TO PARTICIPATE ACTIVELY AND PRODUCTIVELY IN THE
MAINSTREAM OF REGIONAL AND NATIONAL LIFE.

Xxx XXX OOK

Sec. 20. Scholarship Programs — The Regional Government shall provide
scholarships to qualified poor but deserving students in all levels of education. To
this end, the Regional Government shall devote, [at least, fifteen percent
(15%)] A SUBSTANTIAL PORTION of its regular budget for education to
support scholarships FOR THE POOR BUT DESERVING CHILDREN OF
SHUHADA (ACCREDITED MNLF MEMBERS) AND OTHER DEPRIVED
MEMBERS OF SOCIETY INCLUDING NEEDY ORPHANS and shall endeavour
to augment the funds for scholarships from other sources of revenue, public or
private.

The Regional Government shall administer the scholarship programs of
the Commission of Higher Education and the Technical Education and Skills
Development Authority scholarship programs, both local and foreign within the
region, The administrative and other details of this transfer of authority to
administer the scholarship programs shall be done within six (6) months from the
approval of this Organic Act.

Xxx XXX XXX

Sec. 10. Applicability and Repealing Clause. All laws, orders, issuances, rules

and regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby
repealed, modified or amended accordingly.

Sec. 11. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days from its
publication in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,