Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. _______ 
Introduced by Representative TEODORICO “NONONG” T. HARESCO, JR. 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING THE WEST AKLAN SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONE IN WEST 
AKLAN, PROVINCE OF AKLAN, CREATING FOR THE PURPOSE THE WEST 
AKLAN SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONE AUTHORITY, AND APPROPRIATING 
FUNDS THEREFOR 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
This bill seeks to establish a Special Economic Zone in Western Aklan encompassing 
the municipalities of Ibajay, Tangalan, and Malay, including the Island of Boracay. As one of 
the prime tourism hotspots in the Visayas, West Aklan has been a long-standing choice for 
foreign and domestic investments. It has also developed a vibrant agri-aquaculture and 
manufacturing industries which produces thousands of goods and services exported, only to 
the nearby provinces, but also to Metro Manila and abroad. It is also gifted with abundant and 
diverse natural resources, efficiently utilized based on principle of sustainable development. 
Furthermore, through the years of aggressive development programs, West Aklan has also 
developed the necessary transportation infrastructure, renewable energy sources, and skilled 
manpower sufficient to sustain future prospects of development. 
Founded on the principle of an all-encompassing economic growth, this Bill aims to 
promote countryside development through the spread and diversification of economic 
investments currently centered and contained on a number of economic hotspots towards the 
less-developed yet potentially-capable areas of West Aklan. Apart from uplifting the welfare 
February 1, 2023
2:06pm
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of the rural folk, this measure also aims to decongest and prevent the cramming of people and 
industries from the present economic hotspots in the province, such as Boracay Island, thus 
promoting constant ecological balance.  
The proposed West Aklan Economic Zone is envisioned as a self-subsistent center of 
industry, commerce and investment that will promote economic development and accelerated 
employment in West Aklan and nearby provinces. Likewise, it shall also provide tax-based 
incentives for businesses, especially to Micro Small and Medium Enterprises, within its area 
of operations, as well as non-tax incentives such as trade policies and grant of permanent 
residence status to potential investors.  
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
TEODORICO T. HARESCO, JR


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
 REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. _______ 
Introduced by Representative TEODORICO “NONONG” T. HARESCO, JR. 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING THE WEST AKLAN SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONE IN WEST 
AKLAN, PROVINCE OF AKLAN, CREATING FOR THE PURPOSE THE WEST 
AKLAN SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONE AUTHORITY, AND APPROPRIATING 
FUNDS THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress  assembled: 
CHAPTER I 
1 
GENERAL PROVISIONS 
2 
3 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “West Aklan Special Economic 
4 
Zone Act." 
5 
6 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is declared the policy of the State to encourage, 
7 
promote and accelerate the sound and balanced industrial, economic and social development 
8 
of the country. The establishment of special economic zones shall attract legitimate and 
9 
productive foreign investments in strategic locations in the country. It shall generate 
10 
employment, enhance productivity, and increase individual and family incomes, thereby 
11 
enhancing the quality of life of the Filipino people. 
12 
13 
CHAPTER II 
14 
CREATION OF THE ECONOMIC ZONE 
15 
16 
SECTION 3. Creation of the West Aklan Special Economic Zone. - In accordance with the 
17 
foregoing declared policy and subject to the concurrence of the concerned local government 
18 
units (LGUs) of West Aklan affected by the zone, there is hereby established a special 
19 
economic zone, hereinafter referred to as the West Aklan Ecozone. The West Aklan Ecozone 
20 
shall cover certain parts of Barangays Aslum, Bagacay, Colongcolong, Laguinbanwa, and 
21 
Poblacion in the Municipality of Ibajay, certain parts of Barangays Poblacion, Baybay, and 
22 
Tagas in the Municipality of Tangalan, and certain parts of Barangay Caticlan and the Island 
23 
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of Boracay, in the Municipality of Malay. The specific metes and bounds of the West Aklan 
24 
Ecozone shall be more particularly defined in a presidential proclamation that shall be issued 
25 
for this purpose: Provided, That the lands embraced therein shall be public lands and 
26 
contiguous to one another. 
27 
 
28 
SECTION 4. Creation of the West Aklan Special Economic Zone Authority (WASEZA). - 
29 
There is hereby created a corporate body to be known as the “West Aklan Special Economic 
30 
Zone Authority”, hereinafter referred to as the WASEZA, which shall manage and operate the 
31 
West Aklan Ecozone, in accordance with the provisions of this Act. This corporate franchise 
32 
shall expire in fifty (50) years counted from the first year after the effectivity of this Act, unless 
33 
otherwise extended by Congress. It shall be organized within one hundred eighty (180) days 
34 
after the effectivity of this Act. 
35 
 
36 
SECTION 5. Governing Principles. - The West Aklan Ecozone shall be managed and 
37 
operated by the WASEZA, created under Section 4 of this Act, under the following principles:  
38 
 
39 
a) Within the framework and limitations of the Constitution and applicable provisions of 
40 
the Local Government Code, the West Aklan Ecozone shall be developed into and 
41 
operated 
as 
a 
decentralized, 
self-reliant 
and 
self-sustaining 
industrial, 
42 
commercial/trading, agro-industrial, tourist, banking, financial and investment center 
43 
with suitable residential areas;  
44 
b) The West Aklan Ecozone shall be provided with transportation, telecommunications 
45 
and other facilities needed to attract legitimate and productive investments, generate 
46 
linkage industries and employment opportunities for the people of West Aklan and its 
47 
neighboring towns and cities;  
48 
c) The West Aklan Ecozone may establish mutually beneficial economic relations with 
49 
other entities or enterprises within the country or, subject to the administrative guidance 
50 
of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the Philippine Economic Zone Authority 
51 
(PEZA), and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), with foreign entities or 
52 
enterprises;  
53 
d) Foreign citizens and companies owned by non-Filipinos in whatever proportion may 
54 
set up enterprises in the West Aklan Ecozone, either by themselves or in a joint venture 
55 
with Filipinos in any sector of industry, international trade and commerce within the 
56 
West Aklan Ecozone; 
57 
e) The West Aklan Ecozone shall be managed and operated as a separate customs territory 
58 
thereby ensuring the free flow or movement of goods and capital within, into and out 
59 
of its territory, and shall likewise provide incentives such as tax and duty- free 
60 
importations of raw materials, capital, and equipment to registered enterprises located 
61 
therein. However, exportation or removal of goods from the territory of the West Aklan 
62 
Ecozone to other parts of the Philippine territory shall be subject to customs duties and 
63 
taxes under Republic Act No. 10863, otherwise known as the “Customs Modernization 
64 
and Tariff Act” and other relevant tax laws of the Philippines; 
65 
f) The areas comprising the West Aklan Ecozone may be expanded or reduced when 
66 
necessary. For this purpose, the West Aklan Ecozone, in consultation with the LGUs, 
67 


 
shall have the power to acquire either by purchase, negotiation or condemnation 
68 
proceedings, any private land within or adjacent to the West Aklan Ecozone for the 
69 
following purposes: (1) consolidation of lands for zone development; (2) acquisition of 
70 
right of way to the West Aklan Ecozone; and (3) the protection of watershed areas and 
71 
natural assets valuable to the prosperity of the West Aklan Ecozone;  
72 
g) Goods manufactured by a West Aklan Ecozone enterprise shall be made available for 
73 
immediate retail sale in the domestic market, subject to the payment of corresponding 
74 
taxes on raw materials and other regulations that may be formulated by the WASEZA 
75 
together with the PEZA, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) and the DTI. However, in order 
76 
to protect domestic industries, a Negative List of industries shall be drawn up and 
77 
regularly updated by PEZA. Enterprises engaged in industries included in such 
78 
Negative List shall not be allowed to sell their products locally;  
79 
h) The defense of the West Aklan Ecozone and the security of its perimeter fence shall be 
80 
the responsibility of the national government in coordination with the WASEZA and 
81 
the LGUs.  
82 
 
83 
SECTION 6. Capitalization. – The WASEZA shall have an authorized capital stock of Two 
84 
Billion (2,000,000,000.00) no par shares with a minimum issue of Ten Pesos (₱10.00) each, 
85 
the majority shares of which shall be subscribed and paid for by the National Government and 
86 
the LGUs embracing the West Aklan Ecozone. The Board of Directors of the WASEZA may, 
87 
with the written concurrence of the Secretary of Finance, sell shares, representing not more 
88 
than forty per centum (40%) of the capital stock of the WASEZA to the general public under 
89 
such policy as the Board and the Secretary of Finance may determine. The National 
90 
Government and the LGUs shall in no case own less than sixty per centum (60%) of the total 
91 
issued and outstanding capital of the WASEZA.   
92 
 
93 
  
The amount necessary to subscribe and pay for the shares of the National Government 
94 
to the capital stock of the WASEZA shall be included in the annual General Appropriations 
95 
Act. For LGUs, the funds shall be taken from their internal revenue allotment and other local 
96 
funds. 
97 
 
98 
SECTION 7. Principal Office of the WASEZA. - The WASEZA shall maintain its principal 
99 
offices at Ibajay, Tangalan, and Malay, Province of Aklan, but it may establish branches within 
100 
the Philippines as may be necessary for the proper conduct of its business. 
101 
 
102 
SECTION 8. Powers and Functions of the WASEZA. - The WASEZA shall have the 
103 
following powers and functions:   
104 
a) To operate, administer, manage, and develop the West Aklan Ecozone according to the 
105 
principles and provisions set forth in this Act,  
106 
b) To register, regulate, and supervise the enterprises in the West Aklan Ecozone in an 
107 
efficient and decentralized manner, subject to existing laws;  
108 
c) To coordinate with LGUs and exercise general supervision over the development plans, 
109 
activities and operations of the West Aklan Ecozone;  
110 


 
d) To regulate and undertake the establishment, construction, operation and maintenance 
111 
of public utilities, other services, and infrastructure in the West Aklan Ecozone such as 
112 
light and power, shipping, barging, stevedoring, cargo handling, hauling, warehousing, 
113 
storage of cargo, port services or concessions, piers, wharves, bulkheads, bulk 
114 
terminals, mooring areas, storage areas, roads, telecommunications, transport, bridges, 
115 
terminals, conveyors, water supply, and storage, sewerage, drainage, airport operations 
116 
in coordination with the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), and such 
117 
other services or concessions or infrastructure necessary or incidental to the 
118 
accomplishment of the objectives of this Act; 
119 
e) To construct, acquire, own, lease, operate and maintain on its own or through contracts, 
120 
franchise, licenses, bulk purchase from the private sector or permits under any of the 
121 
schemes allowed in Republic Act No. 6957, otherwise known as the “Build-Operate-
122 
Transfer Law” as amended, or joint venture, adequate facilities and infrastructure 
123 
required or needed for the operation and development of the West Aklan Ecozone, in 
124 
coordination with appropriate national and local government authorities and in 
125 
conformity with applicable laws thereon;  
126 
f) To approve plans, programs, and projects of the West Aklan Ecozone to be submitted 
127 
to the Regional Development Council for inclusion and inputs to the overall regional 
128 
development plan;  
129 
g) To operate on its own, either directly or through licenses to others, tourism-related 
130 
activities, including games, amusements, recreational and sports facilities, subject to 
131 
the approval and supervision of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation 
132 
(PAGCOR);  
133 
h) To raise or borrow, within the limitation provided by law, and subject to the approval 
134 
or opinion of the Monetary Board of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), as the case 
135 
may be, adequate and necessary funds from local or foreign sources, to finance its 
136 
projects and programs under this Act and for this purpose, to issue bonds, promissory 
137 
notes and other forms of securities, and to secure the same by a guarantee, pledge, 
138 
mortgage, deed of trust or an assignment of all or part of its property or assets;  
139 
i) To protect, preserve, maintain. and develop the forests, beaches, coral and coral reefs, 
140 
and maintain ecological balance within the West Aklan Ecozone. Notwithstanding the 
141 
power of the WASEZA to create rules for such purpose, the rules and regulations of the 
142 
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and other government 
143 
agencies involved in the above functions shall be implemented by the WASEZA;  
144 
j) To create, operate or contract to operate such functional units or offices of the 
145 
WASEZA as it may deem necessary; 
146 
k) To adopt, alter and use a corporate seal, contract, lease, buy, acquire, own or otherwise 
147 
dispose of personal or real property of whatever nature, to sue and be sued, and to carry 
148 
out its functions and duties as provided for in this Act;  
149 
l) To issue certificates of origin for products manufactured or processed in the West Aklan 
150 
Ecozone in accordance with prevailing rules of origin and the pertinent regulations of 
151 
the PEZA, the DTI and the Department of Finance (DOF);  
152 
m) To establish one-stop shops for the issuance of all necessary permits, clearances, 
153 
licenses, and other similar certifications to conduct such activities intended to improve 
154 


 
the ease of doing business within the West Aklan Ecozone, in coordination with 
155 
government agencies having jurisdiction over activities therein: Provided, That all 
156 
government agencies are directed to provide and extend utmost and full cooperation to 
157 
the WASEZA in the establishment of such one-stop shops;  
158 
n) To ensure that the area covered by the West Aklan Ecozone is secure at all times: 
159 
Provided, That in the event that the assistance of the AFP or PNP is necessary, the AFP 
160 
or PNP shall not interfere in the internal affairs of the WASEZA, except to provide the 
161 
necessary security and defense, or law enforcement assistance, as the case may be: 
162 
Provided finally, That expenses of the AFP or PNP in the West Aklan Ecozone shall be 
163 
borne by the national government;  
164 
o) To exercise such powers as may be essential, necessary or incidental to the powers 
165 
granted to it hereunder, as well as those that shall enable it to carry out, implement and 
166 
accomplish the purposes, objectives and policies of this Act; and  
167 
p) To issue rules and regulations consistent with the provisions of this Act as may be 
168 
necessary to accomplish and implement the purposes, objectives and policies provided 
169 
herein.  
170 
q) To perform such other functions as may be provided by law.  
171 
 
172 
SECTION 9. Board of Directors of the WASEZA. – The powers of the WASEZA shall be 
173 
vested in and exercised by a Board of Directors, hereinafter referred to as the Board, which 
174 
shall be composed of the following: 
175 
 
176 
a) The Chairperson, who shall at the same time be the administrator of the WASEZA; 
177 
b) Six (6) members consisting of:  
178 
1) The Governor or a duly-authorized representative from the Provincial Government 
179 
of Aklan; 
180 
2) Two (2) mayors, as elected by the West Aklan League of Mayors;  
181 
3) One (1) representative from the Congressional District Office;  
182 
4) One (1) representative from the investor’s group; and  
183 
5) One (1) representative from among the workers in the West Aklan ecozone.  
184 
 
185 
The Vice-Chairperson shall be selected from among the members of the Board.  
186 
Government of Aklan; 
187 
 
188 
The representative from the Provincial Government and the mayors of the 
189 
municipalities covered by the ecozone shall serve as ex-officio members of the Board, whose 
190 
terms in the Board correspond to their terms as elected officials. 
191 
 
192 
The Chairperson-Administrator and the members of the Board, except the ex-officio 
193 
members, shall be appointed by the President of the Philippines to serve for a term of six (6) 
194 
years, unless sooner separated from service due to death, voluntary resignation or removal for 
195 
cause. In case of death, resignation or removal for cause, their replacements shall serve only 
196 
the unexpired portion of the respective terms. 
197 


 
 
198 
The Chairperson-Administrator must be a Filipino citizen, of good moral character, of 
199 
proven probity and integrity, and a degree- holder in any of the following fields: economics, 
200 
business, public administration, law, management or their equivalent, and with at least ten (10) 
201 
years relevant working experience, preferably in the field of management or public 
202 
administration.   
203 
 
204 
The members of the Board, except the ex-officio members, shall each receive per diem 
205 
at rates to be determined by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) in accordance 
206 
with existing rules and regulations: Provided, however, That the total per diem collected each 
207 
month shall not exceed the equivalent per diem for four (4) meetings. Unless and until the 
208 
President of the Philippines has fixed a higher amount of per diem, the members of the Board 
209 
shall receive per diem of not be more than Ten thousand pesos (₱10,000.00) for every Board 
210 
meeting.   
211 
 
212 
SECTION 10. Organization and Personnel. – The Board of Directors of the WASEZA shall 
213 
provide for its organization and staff. The Board shall appoint and fix the remuneration and 
214 
other emoluments of its officers and employees in accordance with existing laws on 
215 
compensation and position classification. The Board shall have exclusive and final authority to 
216 
promote, transfer, assign, reassign, or remove officers of the WASEZA, any provision of 
217 
existing law to the contrary notwithstanding. The Chairperson-Administrator shall carry out 
218 
the decisions of the Board. 
219 
 
220 
  
The officers and employees of the WASEZA, including all members of the Board, shall 
221 
not engage directly or indirectly in partisan activities nor take part in any election, except to 
222 
vote. 
223 
 
224 
  
No officer or employee of the WASEZA, subject to civil service laws and regulations, 
225 
shall be removed or suspended except for cause, as provided by law.   
226 
 
227 
SECTION 11. Powers and Duties of the Chairperson-Administrator. – The Chairperson-
228 
Administrator shall have the following powers and duties:   
229 
a) To direct and manage the affairs of the WASEZA in accordance with the policies of the 
230 
Board;  
231 
b) To establish the internal organization of the WASEZA under such conditions that the 
232 
Board may prescribe;  
233 
c) To submit an annual budget and necessary supplemental budget to the Board for its 
234 
approval;  
235 
d) To submit within thirty (30) days after the close of each fiscal year an annual report to 
236 
the Board and such other reports as may be required;  
237 
e) To submit to the Board for its approval, policies, systems, procedures, rules, and 
238 
regulations that are essential to the operation of the West Aklan Ecozone;  
239 
f) To recommend to the Board the remuneration and other emoluments of its officers and 
240 


 
employees in accordance with existing laws on compensation and position 
241 
classification;  
242 
g) To create a mechanism in coordination with relevant agencies for the promotion of 
243 
industrial peace, the protection of the environment, and the advancement of the quality 
244 
of life in the West Aklan Ecozone; and  
245 
h) To perform such other duties as may be assigned by the Board or which are necessary 
246 
or incidental to the office.  
247 
 
248 
SECTION 12. Legal Counsel. – The WASEZA shall have its own internal legal counsel under 
249 
the supervision of the Government Corporate Counsel. When the exigencies of businesses and 
250 
operations demand it, the WASEZA may engage the services of an outside counsel either on a 
251 
case to case or on a fixed retainer basis.  
252 
 
253 
CHAPTER III 
254 
INCENTIVES TO ECOZONE ENTERPRISES/INVESTORS 
255 
 
256 
SECTION 13. Investors Visa. - Any foreign national who invests an amount of Two 
257 
hundred thousand US dollars (US$200,000.00), either in cash or equipment, in a registered 
258 
enterprise shall be entitled to an investor's visa: Provided, That the foreign national has the 
259 
following qualifications: 
260 
a)   Must be at least eighteen (18) years of age; 
261 
b) Must not have been convicted by final judgment of a crime involving moral 
262 
 turpitude; 
263 
c) Must not be afflicted with any loathsome, dangerous or contagious disease; 
264 
d) Must not have been institutionalized for any mental disorder or disability; and 
265 
e) Must establish his financial capability and capacity through verifiable and credible 
266 
 evidence. 
267 
 
268 
As a holder of investor's visa, an alien shall be entitled to reside in the Philippines while 
269 
the investment subsists. For this purpose, the alien should submit an annual report, in the form 
270 
duly prescribed for the purpose, to prove that the investor has maintained the investment in the 
271 
country. Should said alien withdraw the investments from the Philippines, then the investor's 
272 
visa issued to said alien shall automatically expire and be withdrawn. 
273 
 
274 
The authority to issue visas and work permits shall remain with the Bureau of 
275 
Immigration (BI) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), respectively: 
276 
Provided, That the BI and the DOLE shall implement measures to expedite the processing of 
277 
such visas and permits for workers in the West Aklan Ecozone and coordinate with the 
278 
WASEZA for the purpose of improving ease of doing business.  
279 
 
280 
SECTION 14. Fiscal Incentives. - Registered enterprises operating within the West Aklan 
281 
Ecozone may be entitled to pertinent fiscal incentives granted under Title XIII (Tax Incentives) 
282 
of the National Internal Revenue Code, as amended. 
283 


 
 
284 
SECTION 15. Banking Rules and Regulations. – Banks and financial institutions to be 
285 
established in the West Aklan Ecozone shall be under the supervision of the Bangko Sentral 
286 
ng Pilipinas (BSP) and subject to existing banking laws, rules and regulations.   
287 
 
288 
SECTION 16. Remittances. - In the case of foreign investments, a duly registered entity or 
289 
enterprise within the West Aklan Ecozone shall have the right to remit earnings from the 
290 
investment in the currency in which the investment was originally made and at the exchange 
291 
rate prevailing at the time of remittance, subject to the provisions of Republic Act No. 7653, 
292 
otherwise known as the “New Central Bank Act” as amended.  
293 
 
294 
CHAPTER IV 
295 
NATIONAL GOVERNMENT AND OTHER ENTITIES 
296 
 
297 
SECTION 17. Supervision and Control. - For purposes of policy direction and coordination, 
298 
the WASEZA shall be under the direct control and supervision of the Office of the President 
299 
of the Philippines.  
300 
 
301 
SECTION 18. Development Goals of the West Aklan Ecozone. - The WASEZA shall 
302 
determine the development goals of the West Aklan Ecozone within the framework of national 
303 
development plans, policies and goals. The Chairperson-Administrator shall, upon approval by 
304 
the Board, submit the West Aklan Ecozone plans, programs and projects to the Regional 
305 
Development Council for inclusion and inputs to the overall regional development plan.  
306 
 
307 
SECTION 19. Relationship with Local Government Units. – Except as herein provided, the 
308 
LGUs comprising the West Aklan Ecozone shall retain their basic autonomy and identity. The 
309 
Municipality of Magsaysay and San Jose, Province of West Aklan, shall operate and function 
310 
in accordance with the framework of the Constitution, Local Government Code of 1991, and 
311 
this Act.  
312 
 
313 
In case of any conflict among the WASEZA, the LGUs and the National Government 
314 
on matters affecting the West Aklan Ecozone, other than national defense and security matters, 
315 
the decision of the WASEZA shall prevail.  
316 
 
317 
SECTION 20. Audit. - The Commission on Audit (COA) shall appoint a full-time auditor in 
318 
the WASEZA or may assign such number of personnel as may be necessary in the 
319 
performance of their functions.  
320 
 
321 
CHAPTER V 
322 
MISCELLANEOUS 
323 
 
324 
SECTION 21. Interpretation/Construction. - The powers, authorities and functions that are 
325 
vested in the WASEZA are intended to establish national self-sufficiency and self-reliance in 
326 
the advancement of and protection of the national integrity, enhancement of national security, 
327 


 
decentralization of governmental functions and authority, and promotion of an efficient and 
328 
effective working relationship among the WASEZA, the National Government and the LGUs. 
329 
Any interpretation of this Act shall consider such intentions. In the event of conflict of 
330 
interpretation and provided the intentions cannot be harmonized, the provisions of this Act 
331 
shall be construed in favor of an interpretation that would tend to protect national security.  
332 
 
333 
SECTION 22. Applicability Clause. – Insofar as they are consistent with the provisions of this 
334 
Act, the provisions of Sections 30 to 41 of Republic Act No. 7916, otherwise known as "The 
335 
Special Economic Zone Act of 1995", as amended, shall likewise apply to the West Aklan 
336 
Ecozone.  
337 
 
338 
SECTION 23. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The National Economic and 
339 
Development Authority (NEDA), in coordination with the DTI and DOF, shall formulate the 
340 
implementing rules and regulations of this Act within ninety (90) days after its approval.  
341 
 
342 
SECTION 24. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act shall be held 
343 
unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions not otherwise affected shall remain in full 
344 
force and effect.  
345 
 
346 
SECTION 25. Repealing Clause. – Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive order, 
347 
letter of instruction, administrative order, rule, or regulation contrary to or inconsistent with 
348 
the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly. 
349 
 
350 
SECTION 26. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in 
351 
the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
352 
 
353 
Approved, 
354