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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IS
Quezon City, Metro Manila IF
TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No, 3109

Ky
e

Introduced by Representative CHING BERNOS

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE NORTH LUZON DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY, DEFINING
ITS POWERS AND FUNCTIONS, PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The regions of Northern Luzon—comprising the Cordillera Administrative Region
(CAR), Hocos Region, and Cagayan Valley—are endowed with abundant natural
resources, cultural richness, and human capital. Despite this, the area continues to
face developmental disparities, limited infrastructure, and fragmented governance.
For decades, local economies have suffered from outmigration, underinvestment, and
a lack of unified planning that can fully unlock the area’s potential.

Past administrations recognized these gaps by creating the North Luzon
Growth Quadrangle initiative, later renamed the North Luzon Growth Quadrangle
Area and Northern Luzon Economic Development Committee. However, the abolition
of these mechanisms without establishing a long-term successor has left Northern

Luzon without a coherent, institutionalized development framework.

This bill seeks to institutionalize the Northern Luzon Development Authority
(NLDA) as a long-term, inter-regional coordinating body that will spearhead and
harmonize development across Northern Luzon. By integrating efforts in
infrastructure, industry, tourism, agriculture, education, digitalization, and
peacebuilding, the NLDA will serve as a catalyst for inclusive, balanced, and


sustainable growth. It will operate in close collaboration with local governments,
national agencies, the private sector, and civil society.

‘The proposed Authority will not duplicate existing mandates, but rather bridge

gaps, align development initiatives, and ensure regional equity in national planning.
It aims to turn Northern Luzon into a hub of opportunity—one that empowers its
people to thrive where they are.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.



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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

3109

House Bill No.

Introduced by Representative CHING BERNOS

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE NORTH LUZON DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY, DEFINING
ITS POWERS AND FUNCTIONS, PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES

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 ‘Northern Luzon
Development Authority Act.”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Principles and Policies, It is hereby declared a policy of the
State to hasten the socioeconomic development of the provinces and cities of Ilocos
Region, Cagayan Valley Region and the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR),
increasing trade, tourism and investments; encouraging private enterprise; generate
jobs, develop infrastructures and advancing efforts towards peace and expansion.
Towards this end, the State shall promote sustainable development by building a
globally competitive and ecology conscious community of self-reliant and highly
efficient people. The State shall likewise formulate and implement a framework to
enhance the capabilities of the people where they are given equitable access to local
resources, basic social services and economic opportunities. It shall ensure the
implementation, management and oversight of the necessary measures and
programs and an effective institutional mechanism to be established to address the
need for a coordinated and integrated approach in the formulation and


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implementation of various inter-regional development plans, programs and projects
in locos Region, Cagayan Valley Region and the Cordillera Administrative Region
(CAR).

SEC, 3. Northern Luzon Development Authority. There is hereby created the
Northern Luzon Development Authority, hereinafter referred to as the Authority, to
be headed by a Chairperson appointed by the President. It shall be organized within
one hundred twenty (120) days after the approval of this Act. The Authority shall
promote, coordinate and facilitate the active and extensive participation of all sectors
to facilitate the socioeconomic development of the Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley
Region and the CAR. It shall be responsible in close cooperation with the local
government units (LGUs) and line agencies for the overall policy direction and
coordination of the efforts of the authority, execute the powers and functions herein
vested.

SEC. 4, Coverage. The Authority covers all the provinces and cities of Ilocos Region,
Cagayan Valley Region and the CAR.

SEC. 5. Principal Office and Term. The Authority shall have its main office in San
Fernando City, La Union in the Ilocos Region. In order to achieve the objectives of
this Act, satellite management offices may be established in Tuguegarao, Cagayan
for Cagayan Valley Region and Baguio City for CAR and such other satellite offices
as the Authority may establish taking into consideration the accessibility of their
offices to the public. The Authority shall also have a term of fifty (50) years from the
effectivity of this Act and renewable for the same period unless otherwise provided

by law.

SEC. 6. Powers and Functions of the Authority. The Authority shall exercise the

following powers and functions:

a) Formulate an integrated development framework for Ilocos Region, Cagayan
Valley Region and CAR that is consistent with the peace and development
initiatives of the National Government;

b) Review and submit to the President, for approval, a master plan for the
Authority;

c) Cause the update, periodic review refinement and endorsement of the
Authority plans, investment programs and development activities within the
context of the master plan of the component regions;


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d) Transform regions in the Authority into highly developed and sustainable
centers of agriculture, natural resources, commerce, education, tourism,
banking, investment and finance, information and communications
technology (ICT) knowledge-based industries and other appropriate industries
of the region;

e) Recommend to and, whenever necessary, call upon the proper agencies on the
technical support, physical assistance and, generally, the level of priority to
be accorded to agricultural, industrial, commercial, infrastructure,
environmental, and technological programs and projects soliciting or requiring
direct or indirect help from or through the National Government or any of its
instrumentalities;

f) Educate and inform the constituents of Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley Region

and CAR, about national policies that foster the integrated and balanced
development of the area to encourage their full participation;

8) Promote and facilitate investments in any field which enhance the
socioeconomic development of Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley Region and CAR
and uplift the living standards of the people and their socio-political activities
in close coordination with agencies primarily mandated to undertake such
functions;

h) Explore sources for financing priority for inter-regional programs, projects and
activities of Hocos Region, Cagayan Valley Region and CAR that encourage
economic and social development through programs, projects and activities;

i) Coordinate and facilitate the extension of necessary planning, management
and technical assistance to prospective and existing investors, complementary
and in support of agencies primarily mandated to execute such functions;

j) Establish a comprehensive and integrated database in Ilocos Region, Cagayan
Valley Region and CAR needed for planning and decision-making;

k) Monitor, evaluate and formulate recommendations in the implementation of
specific Hocos Region, Cagayan Valley Region and CAR inter-regional
development programs, activities and projects.

1) Provide strategic direction for Nocos Region, Cagayan Valley Region and CAR;

m) Establish appropriate mechanisms to ensure the timely implementation of
specific Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley Region and CAR inter-regional projects,
whenever necessary, as far as practicable, including public-private
partnership;


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n) Review and recommend for approval by the Department of Economy,
Planning, and Development (DEPDEV) Board such specific Ilocos Region,
Cagayan Valley Region and CAR inter-regional programs, projects, and plans
by the National Government and donor agencies subject to existing laws, rules
and regulations;

0} Receive and administer donations, contributions, grants, bequests or gifts, in
cash or in kind, from foreign governments, international agencies, private
entities and other sources, including Official Development Assistance (ODA),
to be used in the development of Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley Region and
CAR, subject to existing laws, rules and regulations;

p) Integrate, prioritize program and implement, whenever allowed and
authorized by applicable laws with impact on Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley
Region and CAR inter-regional and region-specific programs, activities and
projects including ODA projects, subject to such limitations prescribed by
existing laws, rules and regulations;

q) To sue and be sued, enter into contracts, acquire, purchase, hold, lease,
transfer, dispose of property of any kind or nature to carry out the purposes
to this Act; and

1) Discharge other functions that may be deemed necessary or as may be
provided by law.

‘The Authority, through its Chairperson, shall submit to the President and both
Houses of Congress annual reports on its accomplishments and activities.

SEC. 7. Commitment to Tourism Development. The Authority shall adopt and
promote tourism as a central pillar of regional development, recognizing its potential
to generate employment, stimulate local enterprise, preserve cultural heritage, and
foster inclusive economic growth across the northern provinces. In line with this, the
Authority shall work closely with the Department of Tourism (DOT), the Tourism
Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), local government units
(LGUs), indigenous communities, private stakeholders, and civil society
organizations to strengthen and harmonize tourism development efforts within the

region.

The Authority shall prioritize the identification, preservation, and promotion of
key tourism assets, including but not limited to heritage towns, natural parks,
ecotourism areas, cultural landscapes, and coastal and mountain destinations. It


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shall support the development of sustainable tourism circuits and assist LGUs in
crafting local tourism development plans that align with the regional and national

tourism framework.

Furthermore, the Authority shall facilitate investment in critical tourism
infrastructure such as access roads, accommodations, transport terminals, and
visitor centers, while promoting the use of digital tools and innovations to enhance
the tourist experience. Special attention shall be given to capacity-building programs
that empower local tourism workers, community-based tourism groups, and small-
scale enterprises, particularly those led by women, youth, and indigenous peoples.

All tourism initiatives under the Authority shall be guided by principles of
sustainability, cultural sensitivity, climate resilience, and equitable benefit-sharing
to ensure that tourism growth uplifts local communities and protects the
environmental and cultural assets of Northern Luzon for future generations.

SEC. 8. Chairperson. The Chairperson is the head of the Authority who shall be
appointed by the President of the Philippines with a Cabinet rank. The Chairperson
shall serve a term of six (6) years from the date of the appointment unless removed
for a cause. No person shall be appointed as Chairperson unless the person is a
holder of a degree in law or a master degree in any of the following fields: economics,
business, public administration, law, management or their equivalent and with at
least ten (10) years relevant experience in these fields. The Chairperson must be a
resident of any of the provinces of Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley Region or CAR for
at least (5) years before the appointment.

SEC. 9. Duties and Functions. The Chairperson shall exercise the following duties

and functions:

a) Call and preside over meetings of the Board of Directors, hereinafter referred
to as the Board, and see to it that the policies, programs, rules and regulations
are implemented properly;

b) Involve experts in the fields of development in the formulation and
implementation of a comprehensive and integrated development plan for
Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley Region and CAR, investment programs and the
preparation of investment programming priorities, annual reports and other
pertinent documents approved by the Authority;


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¢) Identify solutions to key issues and concerns, taking into account related
risks, affected parties and impact, in coordination with the Board and key
stakeholders;

d) Advocate the work of the Authority among the various concerned sectors and
stakeholders;

e) Call on any agency, group, individual member of the Board, local government
unit, and host community to address issues and concerns relating to
implementation of major programs, projects and activities;

) Supervise the monitoring and timely implementation of specific Tocos Region,
Cagayan Valley Region and CAR interregional programs, projects and
activities;

g) Endorse to the Board all policy recommendations, plans and programs for
approval;

h) Represent the Board in regular and special cabinet meetings;

i) Accept, on behalf of the Authority, donations, contributions, grants and
bequests or gifts, in cash or in kind, from members, foreign governments,
international agencies, private entities or any individual to realize the
functions of the Authority;

) Supervise administrative operations including disbursement of any fund of
the Authority, subject to the usual accounting and auditing procedures, and
submit reports thereon;

k) Execute and administer the policies and measures approved by the Board;

1) Appoint all employees of the Authority, and remove, dismiss or otherwise
discipline for cause, such employees in accordance with the standard
guidelines for recruitment, employment, and discipline in the civil service
rules;

m) Represent the Authority in all dealings with other offices, agencies, and
instrumentalities of the government and with all persons and entities, public
or private;

n) Sign agreements or contracts on behalf of the Authority, including those for
expert and consultancy services and other reports of accountabilities
emanating from the Authority; and

0) Perform such other functions that the Board may direct to carry out the
provisions of this Act.


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SEC. 10. Executive Director. An Executive Director shall be appointed by the
President of the Philippines upon recommendation by the Chairperson. No person
shall be appointed as Executive Director unless the appointee is a holder of a degree
in any of the following fields: economics, business, public administration, law,
management or their equivalent and with at least five (5) years relevant experience
in these fields. The appointee must be a resident of any place in locos Region,
Cagayan Valley Region and CAR for at least five (5) years prior to the appointment
and must be eligible for third level career service position pursuant to the career
executive rank system

‘The Executive Director shall assist the Chairperson in carrying out the functions
of the Authority and shall, likewise, serve as the Secretary of the Board.

SEC. 11. Board of Directors. The Authority’s overall directions and thrusts shall be
provided and approved, unless provided otherwise in this Act, by the Board
composed of the following members:

a) The Chairperson;

b) The heads of the Regional Development Councils of locos Region, Cagayan
Valley Region and Cordillera Administrative Region;

¢) Governors of the Provinces in Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley Region and CAR;

) Chapter Presidents of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines in Hocos
Region, Cagayan Valley Region and CAR;

€) Mayors of Cities in locos Region, Cagayan Valley Region and CAR; and

f) The three (3) representatives from the i) business sector; ii) academic sector;
and iii) nongovernment organization (NGO) sector to be appointed by the
President, upon the recommendation of the Board comprising one (1)
representative each from the Hocos Region, Cagayan Valley Region and CAR:

‘The three (3) representatives from the private sector shalll serve for a term of six
(6) years. At the initial appointment of such members, the second member to be
appointed shall only serve a term of four (4) years and the third member to be
appointed shall only serve a term of two (2) years. They shall continue to hold office
until their successors shall have been appointed. All vacancies, prior to the
expiration of the term, shall be filled for the unexpired term only.

SEC. 12. Duties and Functions. The Board shall exercise the following functions:


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a)

b)

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SEC.

Provide direction and guidance for the Authority's work and thrusts for Ilocos
Region, Cagayan Valley Region and CAR;

Ensure that the goals and policies of the Authority are consistent with the
overall national development goals and objectives;

Ensure that the programs of the Authority are consistent with regional and
local development plans, programs and projects and vice versa for purposes
of harmonization;

Explore sources for financing of priority specific Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley
Region and CAR interregional plans, programs, projects and activities;
Create committees or task forces as may be deemed necessary in the
accomplishment of duties and functions;

Determine schedules, establish voting procedures, criteria for the constitution
of a quorum and other rules and regulations in the conduct of Board inter-
regional meetings; and

Perform such functions as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this
Act.

13. Executive Committee. The Board shall constitute an Executive

Committee, hereinafter referred to as the ExeCom, from among its membership to

act, for and on its behalf when the Board is not in session, on urgent matters as may

be deemed necessary by the Chairperson. To ensure interregional representation and

participation, the following comprise the ExeCom:

a)
b)

i)

dq)

SEC,

The Chairperson;

The heads of the Regional Development Councils of locos Region, Cagayan
Valley Region and Cordillera Administrative Region;

Representative from the business sector in the Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley
Region and CAR business sector; and

Representative from the civil society organizations in the Ilocos Region,
Cagayan Valley Region and CAR.

14. Organizational Structure. The Chairperson shall determine the

organizational structure, staffing pattern and pay scales of the Authority personnel

subject to existing civil service and compensation laws. The Chairperson may

reorganize the Authority and may create or abolish divisions, units or branches

therein as the exigencies of the affairs of the Authority may require.


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SEC. 15. Merit System. All officials and employees of the Authority shall be selected
and appointed on the basis of merit and fitness in accordance with civil service law,
ules and regulations. The recruitment, transfer, promotion, and dismissal of all its
personnel including temporary workers shall be governed by a merit system that is
established by the Authority in compliance with existing laws, rules and regulations.

SEC. 16. Appropriations. The amount necessary to finance the initial
implementation of this Act shall be charged against the current year’s appropriations
of the Regional Development Councils of locos Region, Cagayan Valley Region and
Cordillera Administrative Region. Thereafter, the amount necessary for its operation
shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 17. Implementing Rules and Regulations. Within sixty (60) days after the
approval of this Act, the Authority shall adopt rules and regulations to implement
the provisions of this Act.

SEC. 18. Separability Clause. If any provision or part thereof is held invalid or
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected
shall remain valid and subsisting.

SEC. 19. Repealing Clause. Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive
order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule, or regulation contrary to or
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended
accordingly.

SEC. 20. Effectivity Clause. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in a newspaper of general circulation in the Philippines.

Approved,