Republic of the Philippines
| Bouse of Representatives
Quezon City, Metro Manila

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 1689

Introduced by REPRESENTATIVE AURELIO "DONG" D. GONZALES, JR.

AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE CREATION OF THE CENTRAL LUZON RIVER
CONTROL SYSTEM COMMISSION COVERING THE PROVINCES OF BATAAN,
BULACAN, NUEVA ECIJA, PAMPANGA, TARLAC, AND ZAMBALES AND

| APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Central Luzon, which is composed of Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac, and
Zambales invariably suffer massive flooding during the rainy season. The rainy season starts
in June and ends in October of every year. As a result, tremendous losses of properties
composing high value crops, rice, and other agricultural crops such as rice and aquatic
resources take effect. This is not to mention the inconvenience and suffering of the residents
within the areas affected by flooding, which is incapable of pecuniary estimation.

Studies show that the proximate cause of the flooding is due to the heavy siltation of the
waterways in the region—which is exacerbated by the absence of adequate flood control
facilities and poor maintenance of existing ones. Such challenges are the result of lack of
funds from the government. This is due to the fact that the agency of the national government
primarily in charge with the planning and implementation of infrastructure projects does not
put much emphasis on projects.

In essence therefore, it is not only imperative but likewise urgent that a permanent office be
created by law instead of merely issuance of the Department of Public Works and Highways
whose purpose is to create an ad hoc office, to ensure not only continuity but also focus on
no other concerns except on matters which are utmost priority pertaining to flood control
projects in the region. This office shall nonetheless be placed under the control and
supervision of the Secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways most especially
in terms of olicy formation, feasibility studies, and planning and implementation of flood
control projects funded by the national government. It is important to note that the office shall
be independent and autonomous from the office of the Regional Director of Region Ill

This proposed office shall focus solely on the identification of causes of the flooding and
formulation of solutions that would effectively mitigate if not prevent the flooding problem in
Central Luzon on a long term basis.

REP. “ ” D. GONZALES, JR.
3" District, Pampanga


CONGRESS OF THE PHILIPPINES
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regulat Session

HOUSE BILL NO.

1689

Introduced by REPRESENTATIVE AURELIO "DONG" D. GONZALES, JR.

AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE CREATION OF THE CENTRAL LUZON RIVER
CONTROL SYSTEM COMMISSION COVERING THE PROVINCES OF BATAAN,
BULACAN, NUEVA ECIJA, PAMPANGA, TARLAC, AND ZAMBALES AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

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 Central Luzon River Control System
Commission.

‘SEC. 2. Composition of the Central Luzon River Control System Commission. - The
Central Luzon River Control System Commission shall be headed by a Project Manager to
be appointed by the Secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways. The Project
Manager shall be assisted by an assistant with the rank, qualifications and salary of a Project
Manager II to be appointed likewise by the Secretary of the Department of Public Works and
Highways. The Project Manager shall likewise be assisted by such technical, financial and
administrative personnel which shall be provided in the Project Management Office staffing
pattern or piantilla as may be recommended by the Project Manager and approved by the
appropriate agencies of the national government.

SEC. 3. Supervision of the Project Management Office. - The Secretary of the Department
of Public Works and Highways shall exercise supervision and control over the Project
Management Office. As such, the funds of the Project Management Office shall be
automatically included in the annual budget of the Department of Public Works and Highways
and shall be|released directly thereto by the concerned offices of the national government.

SEC. 4. Areas of Jurisdiction of the Project Management Office. — The Project
Management Office shalll exercise original jurisdiction on matters concerning nationally funded
major flood control projects in the Provinces of Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga,
Tarlac and Zambales.

SEC. 5. Powers and Functions of the Project Management Office. - The Project
Management Office shall exercise original jurisdiction to identify nationally funded major
flood control projects in its areas of jurisdiction including any and all activities related thereto
such as, but not limited to, pre-feasibility studies, feasibilities studies, pre-detailed engineering,
detailed engineering, construction, repair, rehabilitation and maintenance of existing flood
control facilities which are already existing but are presently under the jurisdiction of the
Department] of Public Works and Highways. The Project Management Office shall also
exercise the powers and functions to implement all major flood control projects within the five
provinces of Central Luzon mentioned herein,


SEC. 6. The Project Management Office shall also have the power to create its own Bids and
Awards Committee for the purpose of undertaking the procurement activities for its contract
whether for infrastructure projects, consultancy or goods.

SEC. 7. Transfer of Personnel of the Regional and District Offices of the Department of Public
Works and Highways assigned to Flood Control Projects in Central Luzon to the Project
Management Office. — Within sixty (60) days upon effectivity of this Act, to avoid redundancy
and/or duplication of functions, all personnel of the Regional and District Offices of the
Department of Public Works and Highways assigned to their major flood control projects shall
be transferred to and absorbed by the Project Management Office without loss of rights of
seniority, security of tenure, diminution in rank and salaries and other monetary benefits which
they are Presently receiving on account of the positions they are presently holding.

SEC. 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within sixty (60) days from the effectivity
of this Act, the Project Manager shall create a Technical Working Group to promulgate the
necessary rules and regulations for the implementation of this Act and submitted to the
Secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways or as may be required by law to
other agencies of the national government for review and approval.

SEC. 9. Appropriations. — Funds necessary for the provisions of this Act shall be taken from
the funds allotted to the Regional and District Offices in Central Luzon of the Department of
Public Works and Highways for the implementation of nationally funded flood control projects
in their areds of jurisdiction including but not limited to, pre-feasibility studies, feasibility
studies, detailed engineering, construction, rehabilitation, improvement and/or maintenance
thereof. The Secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways or as may be
appropriate and necessary, other officials of the concerned national government agencies are
hereby directed to effect the transfer of the funds within sixty (60) days to the Project
Management Office once this becomes operational. Exempted from this provisions are
construction, rehabilitation, improvement and/or maintenance of flood control projects which
are already on-going or are already bid out including those that are presently undergoing
procurement process.

SEC. 10. Repealing Clause. — Any and all Acts, administrative issuances, rules and
regulations inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed accordingly.

SEC. 11. Separability Clause. — If any provision of this Act is declared invalid or
unconstitutidnal, the other provisions not affected thereby shall remain valid and subsisting,

SEC. 12. ty. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete publication
in the Official Gazette and in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,