I1
SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE } 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
}
Second R eg u lar S ession  
}
S E N A T E
S.B. No. 1572
. «®R,f  t<[ t »f i- T ’lur?
'17 
AUG 29 
P 3 :0 7
KECtr/i.l/ i.-, .
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR VICENTE C. SOTTO III
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE PHILIPPINE SPACE DEVELOPMENT AND 
UTILIZATION POLICY, PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The Space Age, beginning with the launch of Sputnik 1 on October 4, 
1957, is considered to be one of the crowning achievem ents of the 20th 
century. For the first time in history, m ankind was able to conquer gravity 
and go beyond the planet, opening up a whole new universe and 
perspective. Space exploration became one of the landm ark achievem ents of 
major superpowers such as US and Russia. However, the more im portant 
im pact space has given to society are the num erous practical applications 
and services derived from space technology such as com m unications, 
satellite imagery, navigation, w eather forecasting and surveillance, among 
others. Indeed, space has become ubiquitous nowadays and is now regarded 
as an indispensable asset of m odern society.
Since the turn of the new millennium, an increasing num ber of 
countries are striving to gain a foothold in space. To date, more than 50 
countries now have access to space through satellites with ten countries 
having dem onstrated independent orbital launch capabilities. Space-faring 
countries have evolved from a small elite club of nations relying on strong


aerospace and defense industries, to a broader group of advanced and 
developing countries with veiy diverse capabilities. Almost all OECD 
countries, and even developing nations such as Nigeria and Algeria, have 
invested in space program s due to the reasoning th at by not having a space 
program, even a m odest one, a country m ight be m issing out on 
opportunities and increase dependency on other nations. Indeed, space has 
become an im portant national capability for m any nations around the world.
In the ASEAN region, six out of the ten ASEAN nations have em barked 
on space development program s for various applications such as disaster 
monitoring, maritim e surveillance, agriculture and defense. This em phasizes 
the reality th at in this day and age, space is no longer considered as a 
luxury, but rather a necessity that is vital for a nation’s competitiveness, 
development and security. The lack of access to space can severely impede a 
nation’s socio-economic growth, m aking it highly dependent on foreign 
countries 
for vital 
national capabilities. 
For developing nations, 
it 
underscores the need for strong bilateral and m ultilateral cooperation with 
advanced space-faring nations to reduce cost, increase access to newer 
technologies, and reduce development time.
In response the growing need for secure and independent access to 
space, there is an urgent need for the Philippines to establish its own 
national space policy and agency. As a developing country and an emerging 
economic and political powerhouse in the Asia-Pacific region, it is necessary 
for the country to utilize space science and technology applications 
efficiently to address various national development and security issues to 
keep up with the rest of the world th at is gradually becoming more space- 
capable. A cohesive and unified national space policy can significantly boost 
local space capabilities and strategically guide the countiy’ space program, 
m aking it globally 
competitive, 
technologically 
at 
par, 
and 
ensure 
sustainable and progressive growth. Furtherm ore, a Philippine Space 
Agency is essential to implement the space policy and serve as the 
governm ent’s sole agency responsible for policy development, coordination.


research, education and addressing various space-related issues and 
concerns. By instituting the space policy and creating the Philippine Space 
Agency, it affirms the countiy’s com m itm ent to achieve space capabilities 
and cooperate with the rest of the world in the peaceful utilization of space. 
With it, the Philippines can become a responsible m em ber and significant 
contributor to the global space com m unity in the future, providing benefits 
to Filipinos not ju st in the economic sense but also in term s of societal 
benefits and social inclusivity. Thus, a national space program  aimed at 
changing the Philippines to a space-faring nation is truly beneficial for the 
country and will serve to the best interest of the Filipino people and the rest 
of m ankind.
ENTE C. SOTTO III


SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE } 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
}
Second R eg u lar S ession
S E N A  . T- ^  
S.B. No. 107 2
'17 AUG 29 P3:07
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR VICENTE C. SOTTO III ¥
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE PHILIPPINE SPACE DEVELOPMENT AND 
UTILIZATION POLICY, PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
Philippines in Congress assem bled:
1 
SECTION 1. Short Title. -  This Act shall be known as the “Philippine Space
2 
Development Act”.
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SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. -  It is hereby declared the policy of the
4 
State:
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(a) To safeguard Philippine sovereignty, territorial integrity, national
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interest, and the right of self-determ ination as m andated by the
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Article II, Section 7 of the 1987 Constitution;
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(b) To support and commit to the development of science and technology
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that shall foster patriotism  and nationalism  and accelerate social
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progress, 
such as the development of space technology and
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applications for its national security and for the benefit of its citizens;
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(c) To ensure access to space and its environs as a sovereign right and
13 
stipulates 
the need 
to create 
a national 
strategy for space
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development;
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(d) To recognize th at there is an urgent need to create a coherent and
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unified strategy for space development and utilization to keep up with
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other nations in term s of space science and technology;
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(e) To ensure th at the Philippines has official representation in the
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international 
space 
com m unity 
for 
establishing 
cooperation
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agreem ents and linkages on space development; and


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(f) 
To ensure th at the Philippines abides by the various international
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space treaties and principles prom ulgated by the United Nations as
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an active participant in the international space community.
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SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. -  As used in this Act:
5 
(a) PhilSA refers to the Philippine Space Agency created by virtue of this
6 
Act.
7 
(b) Space Science and Technology Application (SSTA) refers to the
8 
scientific 
principles 
and 
their 
applications 
to 
space 
science,
9 
engineering and other allied fields.
10 
(c) Satellites refer to all objects launched into E arth orbit and artificial
11 
objects to be placed in orbit of celestial bodies or conduct space
12 
exploration.
13 
SEC. 4. The Philippine Space Development and Utilization Policy. -  The
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Philippine Space Development and Utilization Policy shall serve as the
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countiy’s primary strategic roadm ap for space development and shall
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embody the country’s central goal of becoming a space-capable and space-
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faring nation with in the next decade. It shall focus on areas of SSTA th at
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shall address national issues, promote the efficient utilization of space
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assets and resources, establish capacity-building m easures for hum an
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resources, establish capacity-building m easures for hum an resources
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development and enhance international cooperation.
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SEC. 5. Framework of Space Policy. -  The Philippine Space Policy shall
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focus on six (6) Key Development Areas (KDA) for SSTA development to
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ensure the Philippine’s sustained progress:
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(a) National Security and Development -  The Philippines shall focus on
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space applications th at can preserve and enhance the country’s
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national security and promote development th at is beneficial to all
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Filipinos;
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(b) Hazard M anagem ent and Climate Studies -  The Philippines shall
30 
develop and utilize space science and technology applications to
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enhance its hazard m anagem ent and disaster mitigation strategy as
32 
well as ensure the nation’s resiliency to climate change;


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(c) Space Research and Development -  The Philippines shall focus on
2 
conducting research and development endeavors in vital areas of
3 
space science, technology and allies fields to spur rapid scientific
4 
growth;
5 
(d) Space Industry Capacity Building -  The Philippines shall create a
6 
robust and thriving space industry to support the country’s space
7 
program, through private sector involvement and cooperation;
8 
(e) Space Education and Awareness -  The Philippines aim s to establish a
9 
sustainable 
pool 
of 
trained 
space 
scientists, 
engineers 
and
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com m unicators th at shall be critical for the country’s future space
11 
program and increasing public aw areness on its value and benefits;
12 
(f) International Cooperation -  The Philippines shall become a key player
13 
in the ASEAN and global space com m unity by providing significant
14 
contributions and capabilities on space science and technology
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applications through international partnerships and collaborations.
16 
SEC. 6. Creation of Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA). -  A Philippine Space
17 
Agency, hereinafter referred to as the PhilSA, is hereby created as the
18 
central government agency th at shall address all national issues and
19 
activities related to space science and technology applications. The PhilSA
20 
shall be an attached agency of the D epartm ent of Science and Technology
21 
(DOST) for purposed of policy and program  coordination to ensure alignm ent
22 
in national policies and priorities.
23 
SEC. 7. Mandate. -  The PhilSA shall be the prim ary policy, planning,
24 
coordinating, implementing and adm inistrative entity of the Executive
25 
Branch of government th at shall plan, develop, and promote the national
26 
space program in line with the Philippine Space Development and Utilization
27 
Policy.
28 
SEC. 8. Powers and Functions. -  The PhilSA shall exercise the following
29 
powers and functions:
30 
I. 
Policy and Planning and Coordination
31 
(a) Initiate the creation, development and im plem entation of
32 
national and international space policies;


1 
(b) Plan, direct, m anage and im plem ent program s and projects
2 
relating to scientific space research and development and the
3 
application of space technology;
4 
(c) 
Receive, adm inister, expend or dispose money, securities,
5 
personal or movable property by way of donation, gift, bequest
6 
or grants subject to the term s, if any, on which the donation,
7 
gift, bequest or grants was m ade in such m anner that shall
8 
best promote the PhilSA’s objectives;
9 
(d) Implement the Philippine Space Development and Utilization
10 
Policy;
11 
(e) Coordinate 
all 
space 
activities 
of various 
sectors 
and
12 
stakeholders in the Philippines;
13 
(f) 
Provide appropriate and accurate advice to the President of the
14 
Philippines and other governm ent agencies on space-related
15 
issues and concerns;
16 
II. 
Improved Public Access and Resource-Sharing
17 
(a) Develop, construct, acquire, m anage, m aintain and operate
18 
space research, development and operation facilities and
19 
system s on behalf of the Philippine governm ent for use of
20 
various government agencies;
21 
(b) Assist D epartm ents and other agencies of the Philippine
22 
Government in the utilization of SSTA and in the perform ance
23 
of their respective m andates and duties.
24 
III. 
Research and Development
25 
(a) Perform basic and applies research and development (R8&D)
26 
relating to SSTA in collaboration with academ e, industry and
27 
institutions;
28 
(b) Design, develop and construct space system s and facilities
29 
necessary thereof, as well as launch, track and operate the
30 
satellites on behalf of the Philippine Government;
31 
(c) Promote the growth of space science and technology through
32 
research and development.
33 
IV. 
Education and Capacity Building


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(a) Establish program s th at shall develop space education and 
promote public awareness;
(b) Provide grants and contributions in support of program s or 
projects relating to scientific or industrial space RSsD and 
application of space technology;
(c) Provide services and facilities for the use by entities conducting 
academic R8&D relating to SSTA.
V. 
Industry Development
(a) Promote the development of a robust and vibrant local space 
industry and economy;
(b) Promote the transfer and diffusion of space technology 
throughout the country;
(c) Encourage the commercial exploitation of space capabilities, 
technology, information, facilities and system s;
(d) License, sell or otherwise m ake available any patent, copyright, 
industrial design, tradem ark, trade secret or other like property 
controlled;
(e) Dissem inate the results of R86D activities and promote its 
utilization to the stakeholders, except when information is 
deemed confidential for national defense and security, and for 
the protection of intellectual property rights.
VI. 
International Cooperation
(a) Collaborative with space-related agencies of other countries in 
the peaceful use and development of space technology;
(b) Enter 
into 
contracts, 
m em oranda 
of 
understanding 
or 
agreem ent or other arrangem ent in behalf of the Philippine 
Government;
(c) Establish and m aintain linkages with other national space 
agencies and organizations.
SEC. 10. Director General of the PhilSA. — The Director General shall have 
the rank and com pensation of an Undersecretary and shall be appointed by 
the President of the Philippines, upon the recom m endation of the Secretary 
of the DOST. The Director General shall have the following functions:


1 
(a) Provide executive direction and supervision over the entire operations
2 
of the PhilSA;
3 
(b) Establish policies and standards for the effective, efficient and
4 
economical operation of the PhilSA, in accordance with the program s
5 
of the Philippine Government;
6 
(c) Review and approve requests for financial and m anpower resources of
7 
all operating offices of the PhilSA;
8 
(d) Designate and appoint officers and employees of the PhilSA, excluding
9 
the Deputy Director General, in accordance with the civil service laws,
10 
rules and regulations;
11 
(e) Exercise disciplinary powers over officers and employees of the PhilSA
12 
in accordance with law, including their investigation and the
13 
designation of a committee or officer to conduct such investigation;
14 
(f) Coordinate with other D epartm ents, agencies, and public and private
15 
interest groups, including non-governm ent organizations (NGOs) and
16 
people’s organization (POs) on PhilSA policies and initiatives;
17 
(g) Prepare and subm it to the President, through the D epartm ent of
18 
Budget and M anagem ent (DBM), an estim ate of the necessaiy
19 
expenditures during the next fiscal year, on the basis of the reports
20 
and estim ates subm itted by the divisions and offices
21 
(h) Serve as the Presidential Adviser on Space M atters and advise the
22 
President on the Promulgation of executive and adm inistrative orders
23 
and form ulation of regulatory and legislative proposals on m atters
24 
pertaining to SSTA development;
25 
(i) Form ulate such rules and regulations and exercise such other poers
26 
as may be required to im plem ent the objectives of this Act; and
27 
(j) Perform such other tasks as may be provided by law.
28 
SEC. 11. Deputy Director General. -  The Director General shall be
29 
assisted by three (3) Deputy Directors with the rank and com pensation of an
30 
A ssistant Secretary who shall be appointed by the President of the
31 
Philippines upon recom m endation of the DOST Secretary; Provided, That
32 
two (2) of the Deputy Director General shall be career executive officers.


1 
SEC. 12. Qualifications. -  No person shall be appointed Director General
2 
or Deputy Director General of the PhilSA unless he or she is a citizen and
3 
resident of the Philippines, of good moral character of proven integrity, with
4 
an advanced degree in Space Science, Astronomy, Physics, Engineering or
5 
related fields of study, with at least five (5) years of competence and
6 
expertise in any of the following: astrophysics, space science, aerospace
7 
engineering, space system s engineering, remote sensing space industry, or
8 
hum an capital development in the SSTA sector.
9 
SEC. 13. Transfer of Astronomical and Space-related Functions. -  To
10 
consolidate the functions of the PhilSA, the following offices shall be
11 
transferred from its parent agency to the PhilSA:
12 
(a) 
Philippines Aerospace Development Corporation, D epartm ent of
13 
Transportation (DOTr); and
14 
(b) 
The Space Program of the Science Education Institute of the
15 
D epartm ent of Science and Technology (DOST).
16 
Nothing in this Act shall dim inish the functions and responsibilities of the
17 
aforesaid agencies.
18 
SEC. 14. Separation and Retirement from Service. -  Employees who are
19 
separated from service within six (6) m onths from the effectivity of this Act
20 
as a result of the consolidation or reorganization under the provisions of this
21 
Act, shall receive separation benefits to which they may be entitled under
22 
the Government Reorganization Act or Republic Act No. 6656: Provided,
23 
That those who are qualified to retire under existing retirem ent laws shall be
24 
allowed to retire and receive retirem ent benefits to which they may be
25 
entitled under applicable laws and issuances.
26 
SEC. 15. Structure and Staffing Pattern. -  In consultation with the DBM,
27 
the PhilSA shall determ ine its organizational structure and create new
28 
divisions or units as it may deem necessary, and shall appoint officers and
29 
employees of the PhilSA in accordance with the Civil Service law, rules and
30 
regulations.
31 
SEC. 16. Official Site of PhilSA. -  A land area equivalent to at least thirty
32 
(30) hectares out of the vast of land which are under the adm inistration of
33 
the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) within the Clark


1 
Special Economic Zone in Pam panga and Tarlac, shall be allocated
2 
exclusively for the PhilSA office and its research facilitates: Provided, That
3 
the PhilSA shall establish additional offices and research facilities in
4 
strategic areas as it may deem necessary. Provided further, That the
5 
boundaries and technical descriptions of these land areas shall be
6 
determ ined by an actual and joint group survey.
7 
SEC. 17. Magna Carta for Science and Technology Personnel. -  Qualified
8 
employees of the PhilSA and its attached units shall be covered by Republic
9 
Act No. 8439, also known as the Magna CArta for Scientists, Engineers,
10 
Researchers and other science and technology personnel in the government.
11 
SEC. 
18. Annual Report. -  The PhilSA shall subm it to the President of
12 
the Philippines and to Congress, not later than March 30 of every year
13 
following the effectivity of this Act, a report giving a detailed account of the
14 
statu s of the im plem entation of this Act and recom mended legislation,
15 
whenever applicable and necessary.
16 
SEC. 19. Sources of Funds of the PhilSA. -  The funds of the PhilSA shall
17 
consist of:
18 
(a) The annual General Appropriations for the PhilSA; and
19 
(b) Income, fees, royalties and other revenues obtained from any other
20 
sources
21 
The funds shall be adm inistered by the Director General of the PhilSA in
22 
accordance with existing government budgeting, accounting and auditing
23 
rules and regulations.
24 
SEC. 20. Use of Income. -  The budget of PhilSA, based on an annual
25 
appropriation from Congress, shall ensure th at it has the financial and
26 
hum an resources necessary to fulfill its assigned responsibilities under this
27 
Act. The PhilSA shall also be authorized to use one-hundred percent (100%)
28 
of its income, donations, bequests, grants, and all sum s which may be
29 
appropriated for upgrading its physical and hum an resources, for the
30 
conduct of its activities, and for the augm entation of its budget in case of
31 
shortfalls. Seventy-five percent (75%) of its income shall be retained for the
32 
upgrading of its equipm ent and physical facilities and the rem aining twenty-


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five (25%) shall be rem itted to the National Treasury. The PhilSA may also 
solicit, receive and retain donations, bequests, and grants.
SEC. 21. Philippine Space Development Fund. -  There is hereby created 
the Philippine Space Development Fund to be used exclusively for the 
PhilSA. The Philippine Space Development Fund shall be adm inistered by 
Director General of the PhilSA, in accordance with existing governm ent 
budgeting, accounting and auditing rules and regulations. The Philippine 
Space Development Fund shall be sourced from the following:
(a) The am ount of ten billion pesos (P 10,000,000,000.00) to be taken 
from the share of the National Government in the gross income of the 
Philippine Am usem ent and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) and the 
Based Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA). For five (5) 
years after the effectivity of this Act, an am ount of two billion pesos (P 
2,000,000,000.00) per year shall be released to the PhilSA. The entire 
am ount of ten billion pesos (P 10,000,000,000.00), including any 
interest income thereon, shall be used exclusively for capital outlay.
(b) Income from specialized products, services, and royalties produced by 
the PhilSA.
(c) Loans, contribuions, grants, bequests, gifts, and donations w hether 
from local or foreign sources: Provided, That acceptance of grants, 
bequests, contributions and donations from foreign governm ents shall 
be subject to the approval of the President of the Philippines, upon 
the recom m endation of the Director General of the PhilSA and the 
Secretary of the D epartm ent of Foreign Affairs (DFA). Provided further. 
That the Director General of the PhilSA, with the approval of the 
National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), and the 
D epartm ent of Finance (DOF), is hereby granted the authority to enter 
into loan agreem ents with foreign financial institutions.
(d) A portion of the income of the Bases Conversion and Development 
Authority allocated for the training and scholarship of scientists and 
students to be identified by the DOST p u rsu an t to Republic Act No. 
7917, otherwise known as “An Act Amending Section 8 of Republic Act 
Numbered Seventy-Two Hundred and Twenty-Seven, otherwise known


1 
as the B ases Conversion and Development Act of 1992, Providing for
2 
the distribution of Proceeds from the Sale of the portions of Metro Manila
3 
Military Camps, and for other purposes. ”
4 
SEC. 
22. 
Appropriations. 
-  The 
am ount 
needed 
for 
the 
initial
5 
im plem entation of this Act shall be taken from the current year’s
6 
appropriations of the Philippine Aerospace Development Corporation and
7 
the Space Program of the Science Education Institute of the DOST.
8 
Thereafter, 
such 
sum s 
as 
may 
be 
necessary 
for 
its 
continued
9 
im plem entation shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.
10 
SEC. 23. Implementing Rules and Regulations. -  The PhilSA, DBM,
11 
CSC, DOST and DND-PAF shall issue within one hundred eighty (180) days
12 
from the effectivity of this Act, the necessary rules and regulations for the
13 
effective im plem entation of this Act.
14 
SEC. 24. Separability Clause. -  If any provision of this Act is declared
15 
unconstitutional or otherwise invalid, the validity of the other provisions
16 
shall not be affected thereby.
17 
SEC. 25. Repealing Clause. -  All laws, decrees, orders, rules and
18 
regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or
19 
modified accordingly.
20 
SEC. 26. Effectivity. -  This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days
21 
from its publication in the Official Gazette or in a new spaper of general
22 
circulation.
Approved,
10