Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
Quezon City

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

335

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Rep. RACHEL MARGUERITE “CUTIE” Del Mar

EXPLANATORY NOTE

In the spirit of fostering regional development and enhancing the
efficiency of port operations in the Visayas region. this bill proposes an
amendment to Republic Act No. 7621, otherwise known as the Charter of
the Cebu Ports Authority (CPA). The proposed amendment aims to expand
the jurisdiction of the CPA to encompass not only the island of Cebu but
also the entire regions of Central Visayas and Eastern Visayas.

The rationale for this amendment is multifold:

1, Increased Efficiency in Port Management - The expansion of
CPA's jurisdiction is envisaged to centralize and streamline port operations
across these key regions, leading to enhanced efficiency and reduced
administrative complexities.

2, Economic Growth and Regional Development - Central and
Eastern Visayas have demonstrated significant economic potential,
especially in terms of trade and passenger movements. By extending CPA's
jurisdiction, there is an opportunity to further catalyze economic growth and
development in these regions.

3. Standardization of Operations and Safety Protocols - The
amendment seeks to ensure that the high standards of operation and safety
protocols that the CPA is known for are uniformly applied across a broader
geographical area, thereby elevating the overall quality of port services in the
Visayas region.

4. Optimized Resource Utilization - With a larger jurisdiction, the
CPA can optimize the use of resources, including human capital, technology,
and infrastructure, ensuring that these are deployed efficiently and
effectively to meet the growing demands of the regions.


5. Enhanced Regional Connectivity - By consolidating port
management under the CPA for these regions, the bill aims to enhance the
connectivity between islands, facilitating smoother and more coordinated
movement of goods and passengers.

6. Adaptation to Growing Trade and Passenger Traffic - The
expansion is a proactive response to the increasing trade and passenger
traffic in these regions, ensuring that the infrastructure and services are
adequately equipped to handle this growth.

The proposed amendment aligns with the national development goals
of the Philippines and seeks to contribute to the overall improvement of our
port services and enhance regional autonomy, which are pivotal to the
country's economic and social progress.

Your favorable consideration of this bill will be a significant step
towards realizing a more integrated, efficient, and prosperous Visayas region.

RACHEL nage pov DEL MAR


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

335

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by REP. RACHEL MARGUERITE “CUTIE” DEL MAR

AN ACT
EXPANDING THE JURISDICTION OF THE CEBU PORTS
AUTHORITY, AMENDING THEREOF REPUBLIC ACT NO.
7621! , OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE CHARTER OF THE
CEBU PORTS AUTHORITY.

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

Section 1. Section 6 of Republic Act No. 7621 is hereby amended to

read, as follows:

"SECTION 6. Territorial Jurisdiction. - The territorial
jurisdiction of the Authority shall include all seas, lakes,
rivers and all other navigable inland waterways within
the Province of Cebu, including the City of Cebu, ALL
PROVINCES, CITIES AND MUNICIPALITIES WITHIN
THE CENTRAL AND EASTERN VISAYAS and all other
highly urbanized cities therein which may hereafter be

created therein.


SEC. 2. Section 21 of Republic Act No. 7621 is hereby amended to

read, as follows:

"SECTION 21. Transfer of Existing Facilities and
Intangible Assets. - All existing facilities including
wharves, piers, slips, docks, bulkheads, cargo terminals,
warehouses, cold storage, loading and unloading
equipment, and passenger terminals and accessories,
within the EXPANDED territorial jurisdiction of the
Authority; other lands, buildings and other properties,
movable or immovable, belonging to or presently
administered by the Philippine Ports Authority WITHIN
THE EXPANDED TERRITORIAL JURISDICTION OF THE
AUTHORITY; and all assets, powers, rights, interests
and privileges relating to port works or operations,
including all equipment, are hereby transferred to the

Authority.”

SEC. 3. Section 22 of Republic Act No. 7621 is hereby amended to

read, as follows:

"SECTION 22. Projects in Progress. - All ongoing
projects WITHIN THE EXPANDED TERRITORIAL
JURISDICTION OF THE AUTHORITY relating to the
rehabilitation and/or construction of port facilities and
supply of equipment shall be administered and
undertaken by the Authority.”

SEC. 4. Section 24 of Republic Act No. 7621 is hereby amended to

read, as follows:

"SECTION 24. Abolition of ALL the Port Management
OFFICES OF THE PHILIPPINE PORTS AUTHORITY IN


CENTRAL AND EASTERN VISAYAS. - The Port
Management Offices OF THE PHILIPPINE PORTS
AUTHORITY IN CENTRAL AND EASTERN VISAYAS ARE
hereby abolished. The General Manager of the Authority
shall ensure the smooth transfer of responsibility from
the abolished ENTITIES to the Authority as well as the
determination of personnel to be retained: provided,
that all officials and employees whose services are
terminated shall, if not eligible for retirement, be given
gratuities equivalent to one (1) month salary for every
year of continuous satisfactory service on the basis of
the highest salary received in addition to other benefits
accorded to them by existing laws.”

SEC. 5. Appropriation. - The amount necessary to carry out the
provisions of this Act shall be included in the General Appropriations Act of

the year following its enactment into law and thereafter.

SEC. 6. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act or the
application of such provision to any person or circumstance is declared
unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or the application of such
provision to other persons or circumstance shall not be affected by such

declaration.

SEC. 7. Repealing Clause. - All acts, charters, executive orders,
administrative orders, rules and regulations, or parts thereof, in conflict
with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 8. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15)
days after its publication in at least two (2) national newspapers of general

circulation.

Approved,