Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Philippines

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 3614

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE ALFRED VARGAS

EXPLANATORY NOTE

‘The Philippines is part of the global center of marine biodiversity with over 200 species of
sharks and rays in the country. It also plays a crucial role in conserving these ecologically
and economically important marine species such as sharks, rays and chimaeras.

Sharks are typically depicted as apex predators that have significant top-down effects on
food webs. They help keep prey populations healthy by feeding on weak, sick, or old fishes,
and prevent overgrazing of critical marine habitats. Therefore, the removal of sharks from
an ecosystem has the potential to create significant changes to predator-prey interactions,
affecting the whole system. Aside from ecological benefits, sharks and rays have also been
proven to boost local economies through sustainable tourism activities, and through
fisheries in many developing countries.

The measure seeks to declare as unlawful the killing, keeping captive, and trading
vulnerable, threatened, endangered, or critically endangered species, except when it is
done as part of the rituals of established tribal groups or indigenous cultural communities,
when the shark is afflicted with an incurable or communicable disease, or when it is killed
after being used in authorized research or experiments.

In view of the foregoing, approval of this measure is earnestly sought.

ALF! ca ol


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Philippines

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS

First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 3614

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE ALFRED VARGAS.

AN ACT REGULATING THE CATCHING, SALE, PURCHASE, POSSESSION,

TRANSPORTATION, IMPORTATION, AND EXPORTATION OF ALL SHARKS, RAYS,

AND CHIMAERAS AND ANY PART THEREOF IN THE COUNTRY

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

CHAPTER I
GENERAL PROVISIONS

Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Shark Conservation Act of

the Philippines.”

Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - \t is hereby declared the policies of the state to:

a) Protect environmental rights of the people, promote conservation and ensure
sustainable and equitable utilization of its coastal areas, habitats and species,
including sharks, in conformity with the Constitution; the Philippine Fisheries
Code of 1998, as a amended by Republic by Republic Act 10654; and the
National Wildlife Conservation and Protection Act;

Ensure, for the benefit and enjoyment of the Filipino people, the judicious and
wise utilization, protection, conservation and management on a sustainable
basis of its coastal and fishery resources with the necessity of maintaining a
sound ecological balance and protecting and enhancing the quality of the
environment;

Protect the rights of the small and marginal fishers in the preferential use of
communal coastal and fishery resources;

b)

¢)


4) Allow people's full and active participation in the conservation and management
of the coastal and fishery resources and promote awareness of sustainable
fisheries through appropriate education and training;

e) Promote and adhere to the precautionary principle of conservation,
management and exploitation of living coastal and fishery resources in order to
assure the sustainable development of the coastal environment. The absence of
adequate scientific and technical information should not be used as a reason for
postponing or failing to take conservation and management measures; and

f)_ Promote ecosystem-based fisheries management.

Sec. 3. Scope of Application. - The provisions of this Act shall be enforceable for all
Philippine waters including other waters over which the Philippines has sovereignty
and jurisdiction, and the country’s 200 - nautical mile Exclusive Economic Zone
(EEZ) and continental shelf, including protected areas under Republic Act No.7586,
otherwise known as the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) Act;
critical habitats; and all Philippine flagged fishing vessels operating in areas
governed by a Regional Fisheries Management Organization, in the high seas, or in
waters of other coastal states.

Sec. 4. Jurisdiction of the Department of Agriculture. - The Department of
Agriculture (DA) shall have jurisdiction over sharks, rays, and chimaeras, and all
declared aquatic habitats. In the province of Palawan, jurisdiction herein conferred
is vested to the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development pursuant to Republic
ActNo.7611, ‘The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources of the Department
of Agriculture (DA-BFAR) shall be the lead agency in the implementation of this Act.
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Environment and
Natural Resources, the implementation of this Act. The Department of Tourism
(DOT) shall provide the necessary assistance to the DA-BFAR and the LGUs in
identifying shark ecotourism sites and declare the same as protected.

CHAPTER I
DEFINITION OF TERMS

Sec. 5. Definition of Terms, - For purposes of this Act, the following terms are
hereby defined:

a) “Bycatch” means the incidental take of undesirable size or age classes of
the target species, or the incidental take of other non-target species or
protected, endangered, or threatened species.


b) “By-product or derivatives” means any part taken or substance extracted
from sharks, in raw or in processed form. This includes, but are not
limited to, preserved sharks (curios), cartilage, gill rakers, fins, oil, skin,
and teeth;

c) “Corridor” means an artificial or natural avenue where which wide-
ranging animals can travel, plants can propagate, genetic interchange can
occur, populations can move in response to environmental changes and
natural disasters, and threatened species can be replenished from other
areas. Marine corridors encompass mangroves, coral reefs, and seagrass
beds;

d) “Critical Habitat” means a place or environment that contains physical or
biological features essential to its conservation;

e) “Dedicated tourism interaction life" means well-defined areas for marine
wildlife tourism, either managed as a sanctuary/reserve/protected area
or not, focused on a particular species or several species, with specified
operating times;

f) “Discarded bycatch” means non-target species that are discarded at sea:

g) “Disturbance” means any intentional and unintentional acts that shall
disrupt the natural cycle and activities of marine wildlife for the short or
long-term without necessarily causing any physical injury to the same
such as but is not limited to acts producing noise, pollution, degradation
of habitat, blockage of movement, displacement, and the like;

h) “Endangered Rare and/or Threatened Shark Species” means species in
danger of extinction as provided for in existing Philippine laws and/or
the International Union for the Conservation of Nature Red List of
Species;

i) “Finning” means the practice of removing and retaining shark fins;

j) “Full Utilization” means use or consumption of the entire animal;

k) “Habitat” means place or environment where species or subspecies
naturally occurs or has naturally established its population;

1) “Harassment” means an intentional or negligent act or omission which
creates a likelihood of injury by annoying it to such an extent as to
significantly disrupt normal behavioral patterns which include, but are
not limited to, breeding, feeding, or sheltering;

m) "Non-detriment Tourism Interaction Site” means opportunistic,
accidental or unintentional with marine wildlife in tourism and non-
tourism sites;

n) “Non-detriment Finding” (NDF) means a science-based risk assessment
where the vulnerability of a species is considered in relation to how well
itis managed;


0) “Secretary” means the Secretary Of the Department of Agriculture;

p) “Shark” means cartilaginous fishes belonging to the class Chondrichthyes,
which includes true sharks, skates, rays, and chamaeras;

q) “Shark Sanctuary” means a designated area where sharks cannot be

caught;

“Traceability” means the ability to trace and follow food or a substance

intended to be or expected to be incorporated into a food or product

through all stages of fishing, production, processing and distribution;

“Trade” means the act of engaging in the exchange, exportation,

importation, re-exportation, purchase or sale of sharks, their derivatives

or by-products, locally or internationally;

“Utilized bycatch” means non-target species that are traded or consumed,

in part or whole.

n

s

CHAPTER Ih
CONSERVATION AND PROTECTION OF SHARKS, RAYS, AND CHIMAERAS

ARTICLE!
General Provisions

Sec. 6. Information System, Interaction, Release and Possession of By-Products
and Derivatives, and By-Catch

a) Wildlife Information. All activities, as subsequently manifested under this
Chapter, shall be authorized by the Secretary upon proper evaluation of
best available information or scientific data showing that the activity is,
or for a purpose, not detrimental to the survival of the species or
subspecies involved and/or their habitat. For this purpose, the Secretary
shall regularly update wildlife information through research.

Sharks in Captivity. No person or entity shall be allowed possession of
sharks unless such person or entity can prove financial and technical
capability and facility to maintain said species: Provided, That the source
was not obtained in violation of this Act, and the source of stock is
verifiable to monitor mortality. The DA-BFAR will develop husbandry and
holding tank standards as well as a permitting system for the keeping of
sharks in captivity

b


©) Swim with Captive Shark Programs. The DA-BFAR, within one (1) year
after the effectivity of this Act, shall develop human-shark interaction
guidelines in captivity.

Tourism Interaction. The DA-BFAR, within one (1) year after the
effectivity of this Act, shall develop human-shark interaction guidelines in
the wild.

Research Interaction. The DA-BFAR, within one (1) year after the
effectivity of this Act, shall develop research and researcher interaction
guidelines for studies focusing on sharks.

£) Non-Detriment Findings (NDF). The DA-BFAR, within three (3) years after
the effectivity of this Act, shall determine the NDF for targeted and
incidentally caught shark species.

Collection and/or Possession of By-Products and Derivatives. The collection
and possession of species shall only be allowed when the results of the
NDF show that, despite certain extent of collection, the population of such
species can still remain viable and capable of recovering its numbers. For
this purpose, the DA-BFAR shall establish a schedule and volume of
allowable harvests.

Handing and Release Practices. The DA-BFAR, within one (1) year after
the effectivity of this Act, shall develop acceptable handling and release
guidelines from fisheries for all types of protected and/or unwanted
sharks based on the best available science and safe release experience.

i) Bycatch reduction and reporting mechanisms. The DA-BFAR, within three
(3) years after effectivity of this Act, shall provide technical and financial
assistance on research for gear restriction, and identify modified fishing
gears to reduce shark bycatch mortality, which may include bait
restrictions, use of different fishing hooks, varying hook depth, use of
repellents, reducing soak time, and reducing numbers of hooks. The DA-
BFAR shall also develop a standard reporting system for sharks that are
bycatch.

Release and Reporting of Bycatch. Live sharks that have not been assessed
through the NDF shall be immediately released unharmed to the sea.
Dead sharks shall be handed over to the DA-BFAR for proper
documentation and disposal. Any incident must be reported to the
competent authority using the standard reporting system.

d

e)

h


ARTICLE It
Protection of Vulnerable, Threatened, Endangered, and Critically
Endangered Shark Species

Sec. 7. Determination of Threatened Species, Vulnerable, Endangered, or
Critically Endangered Species. - The DA-BFAR within two (2) years after the effectivity of
this Act, shall determine whether shark species or subspecies of a population or
subpopulation is threatened (vulnerable, endangered, or critically endangered) based on
available scientific data and with due regard to internationally accepted criteria, such as
the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Criteria include but are not limited to the following:

a) present or threatened destruction, modification, or curtailment of its
habitat or range;
b) over-utilization for commercial, recreational, scientific, or educational

purposes;
©) inadequacy of existing regulatory mechanisms; and
d) other natural or man-made factors affecting the existence of sharks.

The DA-BFAR shall review, revise and publish the list of categorized threatened sharks
within two (2) years after effectivity of this Act. Thereafter, the list shall be updated
regularly or as the need arises. Provided: that a species listed as vulnerable threatened shall
not be removed there from within three (3) years following its initial listing.

Upon filing of a petition based on substantial scientific information of any person
seeking for the addition or deletion of a species from the list, the DA-BFAR shall evaluate in
accordance with the relevant factors stated in the first paragraph of this section, the status
of the species concerned, and act on said petition within a reasonable period.

The DA-BFAR shall also prepare and publish a list of sharks which resembles so
closely in appearance with listed threatened wildlife, which species shall likewise be
categorized as threatened.

ARTICLE Il
Commercial and Municipal Fisheries

Sec. 8. Identification of Critical Habitats, Reference Points, Limits, and Seasons.

a) Identification of Critical Habits. The DA-BFAR, within one (1) year after
the effectivity of this Act, shall identify critical habitats for sharks and
establish these as shark sanctuaries.


b)

e)

Development of Target Reference Points (TRP) and Limit Reference Points
(LRP). The DA-BFAR shall, within three (3) years from the effectivity of
this Act, determine TRP and LRP based on the results of national stock
assessments and the precautionary principle.

Size Limitations. The DA-BFAR shall, within one (1) year from the
effectivity of this Act, determine the size limits for sharks.

Catch Ceiling Limitations. The DA-BFAR may prescribe limitations or
quota on the total quantity of sharks captured, for a specified period of
time and specified area based on the best available evidence, harvest
strategies, and target limits. Catch ceilings may be established upon the
concurrence and approval or recommendation of such special agency and
the concerned LGU in consultation with the Fisheries Aquatic and
Resource Management Council (FARMC) for conservation or ecological
purposes.

Establishment of Closed Season. The Secretary may declare, through public
notice in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation or in public
service announcement, whichever is applicable, at least five (5) days
before the declaration, a closed season in any or all Philippine waters
outside the boundary of municipal waters and in bays, for conservation
and ecological purposes. Provided, however, that this shall be done only
upon the concurrence and approval or recommendation of such special
agency and the concerned LGU and FARMC: Provided , further, That in
municipal waters, fishery management areas and other areas reserved for
the use of the municipal fisherfolk, closed season may be established by
the concerned LGU in consultation with the FARMC for conservation or
ecological purposes. The FARMCs may also recommend the establishment
of closed seasons in municipal waters, fisheries management and other
areas reserved for the use of the municipal fisherfolk.

Support to Fisherfoik. - The Department and LGUs shall provide support
to commercial and municipal fisherfolk through appropriate technology
and research, credit, production and marketing assistance and other
services such as, but not limited to training for additional/supplementary
livelihood.

ARTICLE IV
Traceability


Sec. 9. System, Labeling, and Identification. All business operators identified in the
supply chain of shark trading and utilization shall cooperate with the DA-BFAR in carrying
out official concern, and shall have responsibilities including but not limited to the
following:

a) Implementation of traceability system. Business operator must operate
traceability procedures for ingredients, raw materials at all stages of
production, processing, transport, storage and distribution and be able to
(i) identify any person or business operator that has supplied them with
the species; (ii) identify any person or business to which they have
supplied their products; (iii) the products that were supplied including
quantity or volume, site of fishing grounds, specie, and fishing gear used;
and (iv) make this information available to DA-BFAR and their
consumers.

Labelling or identification, Business operators must ensure that their
products are adequately labelled or otherwise identified through relevant
documentation. They must also comply with the labelling requirements of
the country destination,

b)

CHAPTER IV
ILLEGAL ACTS

Sec. 10, Illegal Acts. - Unless otherwise allowed in accordance with this Act, it shall
be unlawful for any person to wilfully and knowingly exploit sharks and their habitats, or
undertake the following acts:

a) Killing, taking, keeping captive, and trading vulnerable, threatened,
endangered, or critically endangered species, except in the following
instances;

a. When it is done as part of the rituals of established tribal
groups or indigenous cultural communities;

b. When the shark is afflicted with an incurable communicable
disease;

. Whenit is deemed necessary to put an end to the misery
suffered by the shark;

d. When the shark is killed or destroyed after it has been used in
authorized research or experiments.


b) Inflicting injury which cripples and/or impairs the reproductive
system of sharks;
c) Harassing sharks;
d) Disturbing sharks and their habitats;
e) Effecting any of the following acts in critical habitat(s):
a. Dumping of waste products detrimental to sharks;
b. Squatting or otherwise occupying any portion of the critical
habitat;
¢. Mineral exploration and/or extraction;
f)_ Introducing, reintroducing, or restocking of shark species without
permits;
g) Finning;
h) Collecting, hunting, possessing, importing, exporting, or re-exporting
sharks, their by-products and derivatives without the result of the
NDF and full traceability at all stages, from collection to production,
processing, transport, storage, and distribution;
Falsely advertising or mislabelling any product, which could mislead
consumers;
j) Obstruction of corridors; and
k) Use of shark wires,

CHAPTER V
FINES AND PENALTIES

Sec. 11. The following fines and penalties shall be imposed for violations of this Act:

a) Killing, taking, keeping in captivity, inflicting injury, harassing, and
trading vulnerable, threatened, endangered, or critically endangered
species:

a. Imprisonment of two (2) years and one (1) day to four (4) years
and/or a fine of Thirty thousand pesos (30,000.00) to Three
hundred thousand pesos (300,000.00) per animal if inflicted or
undertaken against vulnerable species;

b. Imprisonment of one (1) year and one (1) day to two (2) years
and/or a fine of Twenty thousand pesos (20,000.00) to Two
hundred thousand pesos (200,000.00) per animal if inflicted or
undertaken against other threatened species;


©. Imprisonment of four (4) and one (1) day to six (6) years and/or a
fine of Fifty thousand pesos (50,000.00) to Five hundred thousand
pesos (500,000.00) per animal if inflicted or undertaken against
endangered species; and

d. Imprisonment of a minimum of six (6) years and one (1) day to
twelve (12) years and /or a fine of One hundred thousand pesos
(P100,000.00) to One million pesos (P1,000,000.00) per animal if
inflicted or undertaken against species listed as critically
endangered.

b) Inflicting injury which cripples and/or impairs the reproductive system

of sharks: Imprisonment of one (1) month six (6) months and/or a fine of

Five thousand pesos (P5,000.00) to Twenty thousand pesos (P20,000.00),

if inflicted or undertaken against other wildlife species.

Harassing sharks: imprisonment of one (1) month to six (6) months

and/or a fine of Five thousand thousand pesos (P5,000.00) to Twenty

thousand pesos (P20,000.00), if inflicted or undertaken against their
wildlife species.

Disturbing sharks and their habitats: imprisonment of one (1) month to

six (6) months and/or a fine of Five thousand pesos (P5,000.00) to

Twenty thousand pesos (P20,000.00). If inflicted or undertaken against

other wildlife species.

Effecting acts in critical habitat(s): For illegal acts under paragraph (e) of

the preceding section, the following penalties and/or fines shall be

imposed: a imprisonment of one (1) month to eight (8) years and/or a

fine of Five thousand pesos (PS,000.00) to Five million pesos

(P5,000,000.00) shall be imposed

f) Introducing, reintroducing, or restocking of shark species without

permits: an imprisonment of one (1) month to eight (8) years and/or a
fine of Five thousand pesos (P5,000.00) to Five million pesos
(P5,000,000.00) shall be imposed.

g) Finning;

Upon a summary finding of administrative liability, the owner,
operator, boat captain and master fisherman of the vessel, or the chief
executive officer in a corporation, or the managing partner in a
partnership shall be punished with a confiscation of the catch and
fishing gears, and a fine three (3) times the value of the catch or the
value indicated below, whichever is higher:

(1) Twenty thousand pesos (P20,000.00) for municipal fishing:
Provided, That if the offender fails to pay the fine, he shall render
community service;

c

d)

e


(2) Fifty thousand pesos (P50,000.00) for small- scale commercial
fishing;

(3) One hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00) for medium- scale
commercial fishing; and

(4)Five hundred thousand pesos (500,000.00) for large-scale
commercial fishing.

Upon conviction by a court of law, the offender shall be punished with
imprisonment of two (2) years to six (6) years and fine equivalent to
twice the administrative fine, confiscation and forfeiture of fishing
gear and catch.

h) Collecting, hunting, possessing, importing, exporting, or re-exporting
sharks, their by-products and derivatives without the result of the NDF
and full traceability at all stages, from collection to production,
processing, transport, storage, distribution

Failure on the part of the shipping or forwarding company from
whose possession the fish or fishery species imported or exported are
discovered or seized to fully cooperate in the investigation conducted
by concerned government authorities shall create a presumption that
there connivance or conspiracy between the shipping company and
the shipper to perpetrate the aforementioned offense.

Upon a summary finding of administrative liability, the offender shall
be punished with an administrative fine of five (5) times the value of
the species or Three hundred thousand pesos )(P300,000.00) to Five
hundred thousand pesos (P500,000.00), whichever is higher, and
forfeiture and/or destruction of the species.

Upon conviction by a court of law, the offender shall be punished with
eight (8) years of imprisonment and fine, forfeiture and/or
destruction of the species: Provided, That offenders shall be banned
from being members or stockholders of companies currently engaged
in fisheries or companies to be created in the future, the guidelines for
which shall be promulgated by the Department.

i) Falsely advertising or mislabelling any product, which could mislead
consumers;

Failure on the part of the shipping or forwarding company from
whose possession the fish or fishery species imported or exported are
discovered or seized to fully cooperate in the investigation conducted
by concerned government authorities shall create presumption that


there is connivance or conspiracy between the shipping company and
the shipper to perpetrate the aforementioned offense.
Upon summary finding of administrative liability, the offender shall be
Punished with administrative fine of five (5) times the value of the
species or Three hundred thousand pesos (300,000.00) to Five
hundred thousand pesos (P500,000.00), whichever is higher,
forfeiture and/or destruction of the species.
Upon conviction by a court of law, the offender shall be punished with
eight (8) years of imprisonment and fine of twice the administrative
fine, forfeiture and/or destruction of the species: Provided, That
offenders shall be banned from being members or stockholders of
companies currently engaged in fisheries or companies to be created
in the future, the guidelines for which shall be promulgated by the
Department.

j) Obstruction of corridors;

Upon a summary finding of administrative liability, the offender shall
be punished with an administrative fine of One Hundred Fifty Thousand
Pesos (150,000.00), dismantling of the obstruction at the expenses of
the offender, and the suspension or revocation of the permit or license.

Upon conviction by a court of law, that offender shall be punished with
imprisonment of seven (7) years to twelve (12) years and fine of twice
the amount of the administrative fine, dismantling of the obstruction at
the expense of the offender, and the suspension or revocation of the
permit or license.

Use of shark wires.

Upon a summary finding of administrative liability, the owner,
operator, boat captain and master fisherman of the vessel, or the chief
executive officer in a corporation or managing partner in a partnership
shall be punished with confiscation the of the catch and fishing gears, and
a fine three (3) times the value of the catch or the value indicated below,
whichever is higher:

(1) Twenty thousand pesos (P20,000.00) for municipal fishing: Provided,
‘That if the offender fails to pay the fine, he shall render community
service;

(2) Fifty thousand pesos (P50,000.00) for small- scale commercial fishing;

(3) One hundred thousand pesos (100,000.00) for medium-scale
commercial fishing; and

(4) Five hundred thousand pesos (P500,000.00) for large-scale
commercial fishing.

k)


Upon conviction by a court of law, the offender shall be punished with
imprisonment of two (2) years to six (6) years and fine equivalent to
twice the administrative fine, confiscation and forfeiture of fishing
gear and catch.

Sec. 12. Escalation Clause. - The fines herein prescribed shall be increased by at
least ten percent (10%) every three (3) years to compensate for inflation and to maintain
the deterrent function of such fines.

CHAPTER VI
MISCELLANOUS PROVISIONS

Sec. 13. Flagship Species. - Local government units shall initiate conservation
measures for endemic and/or economically valuable species in their areas. For this
Purpose, they may adopt flagship species such as the whale shark (Rhincodon typus) or
theresher shark (Alopias Pelagicus), which shall serve as emblems of conservation for the
local government concerned.

Sec. 14. Information and Education.- The BFAR, DENR, DOT, DTI, LGU's, and other
academic institutions shall undertake a nationwide information and education campaign to
adequately inform the populace of the value of sharks and rays in the marine ecosystem,
and of the importance of preserving their respective habitats and feeding grounds.

Sec. 15 Transition Period. -Due to the substantially new requirement imposed by
this Act, a transition period of three (3) years from this entry into force is provided. During
the transition period, sharks, their by-products, and derivatives may be sold and traded,
and stocks that have been produced before the end of the transitional period may continue
to be sold or exported until exhausted.

Sec. 16, Implementing Rules and Regulations. Within twelve (12) months
following the effectively of this Act, the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, in
coordination with the Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Tourism, and the
Committees on Environment and Ecology of the Senate and the House of Representatives,
respectively, shall promulgate respective rules and regulations for the effective
implementation of this Act. Whenever appropriate, coordination in the preparation and
implementation of rules and regulations on joint and inseparable issues shall be done by
the Departments. The commitments of the State to international agreements and protocols
shall likewise be a consideration in the implementation of this Act.


Sec. 17. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to implement the provisions of
this Act shall be charged against the appropriations of the Department of Agriculture in the
current General Appropriations Act. Therefore, such sums as may be necessary to fully
implement the provisions of this Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations
Act. The DA-BFAR may also seek financial assistance from any source and may receive any
donation therefore.

Sec. 18. Separability Clause. - |f any section or provision of this Act is held
unconstitutional or invalid, the remaining sections or provision with the provisions not
affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.

Sec.19. Repealing Clause. All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and
regulations, issuances or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are
hereby repealed or modified accordingly

Sec. 20. Effectively Clause.- This act shall take effect fifteen (15) days trom its
publication in the Official Gazetted or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,