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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Third Regular Session 
SENATE 
S. No. 3498 
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1CT 14 Pi; :10 
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Prepared jointly by the Committee on Economic Affairs (upon the recommendation of the 
Subcommittee on Mindanao Economic Development Authority) and the Committees on Local 
Govermnent and Finance, with Senators Zubiri, Defensor Santiago, Villar, Lapid, Estrada. 
Gordon, Revilla, Roxas, Legarda an;,;;d,;;A,;;;I~lg;;;a;;,ra~as~a\;;;;\th;;;,;;,or;,;;s=============== 
AN ACT 
CREATING THE MINDANAO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (MEDA). 
DEFINING ITS POWERS AND FUNCTIONS, PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR 
ANI) FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enabled by the Senate and the House oj Representatives oj the Philippines III 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. 
Title. -
This Act shall be known as the "Mindanao Economic 
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Development Authority (MEDA) Act of2009". 
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SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared a policy of the State to accelerate 
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the socio-economic growth of Mindanao, increasing its trade, tourism and investments. 
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encouraging private enterprise and advancing efforts towards peace and development. Towards 
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this end, an effective institutional mechanisms shall be established to address the need for a 
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coordinated and integrated approach in the formulation and implementation of various 
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Mindanao-wide inter-regional development plans, programs and projects. The government shall 
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further undertake efforts to promote the active participati'on of Mindanao and Palawan in the 
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Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-the Philippines -
East Asia Growth Area (BIMP-
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EAGA). 
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SEC. 3. Creation of the Mindanao Economic Development Authority. - The Mindanao 
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Economic Development Authority, hereinafter referred to as the Authority, is hereby created 
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which shall promote, coordinate and facilitate the active and extensive participation of all sectors 
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to effect the socio-economic development of Mindanao. It shall also act as an implementing 
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agency for specific Mindanao inter-regional and Mindanao-wide programs and 'proj ects when 
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necessary. 
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SEC. 4 Coverage. - The Authority shall cover all the provinces and cities of Regions IX, 
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X, XI, XII, CARAGA and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). 
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SEC. S. Principal Office and Term. - The Authority shall have its main office in Davao 
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City. It may establish area management offices (AMOS), if necessary, to achieve the objectives 
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of this Act. The Authority shall also have a term of fifty (50) years from the effectivity of this 
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Act and renewable for the same period unless otherwise provided by law. 
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SEC. 6. Powers and Functions of MEDA. - In the exercise of those activities which are 
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Mindanao-wide and/or Mindanao-specific in character, the Authority shall have the following 
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powers and functions: 
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(a) Formulate an integrated development framework for Mindanao that is consistent with 
the peace initiatives of the national government, as far as practicable; 
(b) Integrate, prioritize and program Mindanao-~de, inter-regional and region-specific 
programs, activities and projects with Mindanao-wide impact; 
(c) Advocate to the constituents of Mindanao their elected representatives in Congress 
and the national government, national policies that will foster the integrated and 
balanced development of Mindanao; 
(d) Promote and facilitate investments in any field that would enhance the socio-
economic development of Mindanao and uplift the living standards of the people and 
their socio-political activities in close coordination with agencies primarily mandated 
to undertake such functions; 
(e) Explore sources for financing priority Mindanao-wide and/or Mindanao-specific 
inter-regional programs, projects and activities; 
(f) 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; 
(g) Establish a comprehensive and integrated databases on Mindanao and BIMP-EAGA 
needed for planning and decision-making; 
(h) Monitor, evaluate and formulate recommendations in the implementation of 
Mindanao-wide andlor Mindanao-specific inter-regional development programs, 
activities and projects; 
(i) Act as the implementing agency, whenever necessary, for the accomplishment of 
Mindanao-specific inter-regional or Mindanao-wide programs and projects, including 
Official Development Assistance (ODA) projects, subject to such limitations 
prescribed by existing laws, rules and regulations; 
(j) Provide strategic direction for Mindanao; 
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(k) Oversee mega infrastructure programs and projects with Mindanao-wide impact such 
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as the Mindanao Super Region Program; 
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(I) Establish appropriate mechanisms to ensure the timely implementation of Mindanao-
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wide and Mindanao-specific inter-regional projects, whenever necessary, as far as 
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practicable, including, but not limited to public-private partnership; 
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(m)Review and recommend for approval by the NEDA Board such Mindanao-wide and 
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Mindanao-specific inter-regional programs, projects and plans by the national 
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government and donor agencies subject to existing laws, rules and regulations; 
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(n) Act as the official and permanent Philippine Coordinating Office for BIMP-EAGA 
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(PCOBE) as a lead agency of the government in coordinating the formulation and 
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implementation of policies and programs including the monitoring of all activities 
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related thereto; 
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(0) Represent and strengthen the participation of the Philippine-focus areas for BIMP-
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EAGA which are Mindanao and Palawan; 
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(p) Closely coordinate with the private sector in all policy deliberations concerning 
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BIMP-EAGA; 
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(q) Act as a databank for BIMP-EAGA and other related matters by collecting, 
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consolidating and processing them for dissemination to various groups; 
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(r) Initiate and coordinate the establishment of the BIMP-EAGA desks in concerned 
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national agencies, local government units and private enterprises; 
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(s) Undertake advocacy for the adoption/approval of new policies or policy changes and 
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the promotion of initiatives for the growth of the BIMP-EAGA; 
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(t) Formulate and develop new plans and/or programs for the Philippine participation in 
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the BlMP-EAGA based on the consensus of the BIMP-EAGA Clusters and Working 
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Groups and lor Heads of State, Signing Ministers and Senior Officials; 
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(u) Initiate and facilitate sourcing of technical and other forms of assistance to BlMP-
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EAGA projects/initiatives; 
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(v) Monitor developments in the BIMP-EAGA and follow-through agreements entered 
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into by the Philippine parties; 
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(w)Ensure efficient and effective technical and administrative support services for the 
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Philippines' BIMP-EAGA operations and coordinate budgetary requirements for this 
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purpose; 
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(x) Engage or invest on or enter into joint venture with Filipino and foreign investors in 
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such Mindanao-wide and/or inter-regional projects as it may deem necessary and 
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contributing to the economic development of Mindanao; 
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(y) Receive and administer donations, contributions, grants, bequest or gifts in cash or in 
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kind, from foreign governments, international agencies, private entities and other 
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sources, including Official Development Assistance (ODA), to be used III the 
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development of Mindanao, subject to existing laws, rules and regulations; 
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(z) To sue and be sued, enter into contracts, acquire, purchase, hold, lease, transfer, 
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dispose of property of any kind or nature to carry out the purposes of this Act; 
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(aa) Discharge other functions that may be deemed necessary or as may be provided by 
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law. 
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The Authority, through the MEDA Chairperson, shall submit to the President and both 
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Houses of Congress annual reports of its accomplishments and activities. 
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SEC. 7. Chairperson. - The MEDA Chairperson shall be appointed by the President of 
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the Philippines with a Cabinet rank and shall act as the Head of Office. He/She shall serve a 
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term of six (6) years from the date of his/her appointment unless removed for cause. He/she 
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shall also be the Philippine Senior Official for BIMP-EAGA and member of the National 
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Economic Development Authority (NEDA) Board. 
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The Chairperson shall have the following duties and functions: 
(a) Call and preside meetings of the MEDA Advisory Board and see to it that the 
policies, programs and rules and regulations are implemented properly; 
(b) Call on formidable players in the formulation and implementation of a 
comprehensive and integrated development plan for Mindanao, investment 
programs and 
the preparation of investment programming priorities, annual 
reports and other pertinent documents approved by MEDA; 
(c) Identify solutions to key issues and concerns, taldng into account related risks, 
affected parties and impact, in coordination with the Board and key stakeholders; 
(d) Advocate the Authority's work for Mindanao 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 the 
implementation of major programs, projects and activities; 
(f) Supervise the monitoring and timely implementation of Mindanao-wide and/or 
Mindanao-specific inter-regional programs, projects and activities; 
(g) Endorse to the MEDA Advisory Board all policy recommendations, plans, 
programs and for approval; 
(h) Represent the MEDA Advisory Board in regular and special Cabinet meetings; 
(i) Convene the BIMP-EAGA Advisory Board to discuss issues and concerns and 
recommend policies and programs to ensure the widest participation of Mindanao 
and Palawan in BIMP-EAGA; 
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G) Accept, on behalf of MEDA, donations, contributions, grants and bequests or 
gifts, in cash or in kind, from members, foreign governments, international 
agencies, private entities or any individual for purposes that will realize the 
functions of the Authority; 
(k) Supervise administrative operations incl~ding disbursement of any fund of the 
MEDA, subject to the usual accounting and auditing procedures and submit 
reports thereon; 
(1) Execute and administer the policies and measures approved by the MEDA 
Advisory Board; 
(m)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 of the Civil Service Code; 
(n) Represent the Authority in all dealings with other offices, agencies and 
instrumentalities of the Government and with all persons and entities, public or 
private; 
(0) Sign agreements and/or contracts on behalf of the Authority, including those for 
expert and consultant services and other reports of accountabilities emanating 
from the Authority; 
(p) Perform such other functions that the MEDA Advisory Board may direct to carry 
out the provisions of this Act; 
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SEC. 8. Executive Director. - The Executive Director shall be appointed by the 
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President of the Philippines upon recommendation by the Chairperson. He/she shall possess the 
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requisite eligibilities for third level career service position. He/she shall assist the Chairperson in 
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carrying out the functions of the Authority and shall, likewise, serve as the Secretary of MEDA 
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Advisory Board. 
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SEC. 9. MEDA Advisory Board. - The Authority'S overall directions and thrusts shall 
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be provided and approved, unless provided otherwise in this Act, by the MEDA Advisory Board, 
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hereinafter referred to as the Board. It shall be composed of the following members: 
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(a) The MEDA Chairperson; 
(b) The Chairperson of the Regional Development Councils (RDCs) of Region IX, X, 
XI, XII and XIII and the Regional Economic Development and Planning Board 
(REDPB) of the ARMM; 
( c) The Chairperson of the House Committee on Mindanao Affairs; 
(d) The Chairperson of the House Committee on BIMP-EAGA Affairs; 
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(e) The Vice President for Mindanao of the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines 
(ULAP); 
(f) The President of the Mindanao Confederation of Governors, City Mayors and 
Municipal Mayors League of Presidents; 
(g) The Administrator of the Southern Philippines Development Authority (SPDA) and 
(h) The three (3) representatives from the private sector to be appointed by the President, 
upon the recommendation of the Chairperson and Board members comprising of one 
representative each from the: 
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Mindanao Business Sector 
ii. Mindanao Academic Sector 
iii. Mindanao Non-Government Organization (NGO) Sector 
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Members of the Board shall receive a per diem of not more than Five Thousand Pesos 
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(P5,OOO) for every board meeting; Provided, however, that the per diem collected per month does 
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not exceed the equivalent offour (4) meetings; Provided,further, tMt the amount of per diem for 
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every board meeting may be increased by the President but such amount shall not be increased 
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within two (2) years after its last increase. 
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The Board shall have the following functions: 
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(a) Provide direction and guidance for the Authority's work and thrusts for Mindanao; 
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(b) Ensure that the goals and policies of the Authority are consistent with the overall 
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national development goals and objectives; 
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(c) Ensure that the programs of the Authority are consistent with regional and local 
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development plans, program and projects and vice versa for purposes of 
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harmonization; 
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(d) Explore sources for financing of priority Mindanao-wide and/or Mindanao-specific 
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inter-regional plans, programs, projects and activities; 
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(e) Create committees/task forces as may be deemed necessary in the accomplishment of 
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duties and functions; 
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(f) Determine schedules, establish voting procedures, criteria for the constitution of a 
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quorum and other rules and regulations in the conduct of Board meetings; and 
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(g) Perform such other functions as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this 
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Act. 
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SEC. 10. Executive Committee. - The Board shall constitute an Executive Committee, 
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hereinafter referred to as the ExeCom, from among its membership to act, for and on its behalf 
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when the Board is not in session, on urgent matters as may be deemed necessary by the 
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Chairperson. To ensure inter-regional representation and participation, the following shall 
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comprise the Execom: 
(a) The MEDA Chairperson 
(b) The Chairpersons of the RDCs and REDPB 
(c) The Representative from the Mindanao Business Sector 
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(d) The Representative from the Mindanao Non-Government Organization (NGO) Sector 
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The unexpected appropriations of the above-mentioned agencies are hereby transferred to 
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the Authority including its existing records, properties, equipment, facilities and other assets. 
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SEC. 11. BIMP-EAGA Advisory Board. - There is hereby constituted a BIMP-EAGA 
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Advisory Board to be composed of the following: 
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(a) MEDA Chairperson as Head; 
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(b) Chairpersons of the RDCs of Regions IX, X, XI, XII and XIII and REDPB of 
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ARMM; 
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(c) Mayor of Zamboanga City; 
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(d) Provincial Governor of Palawan and 
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(e) Two Philippine Country Representatives to the BIMP-EAGA Business Council 
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(BEBC). 
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The BIMP-EAGA Board shall convene, from time to time, to discuss issues and 
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recommend policies and programs to ensure the widest participation of Mindanao and Palawan 
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in the activities of BIMP-EAGA. It shall make recommendations to the Chairperson, being the 
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Head of the PCOBE. The PCOBE, in consultation with the BIMP-EAGA Board, will draw up its 
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own procedures for 
making recommendations, finalizing 
decisions and overseeing 
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implementation ofBIMP-EAGA activities in Mindanao and Palawan. 
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SEC. 12. 
Organizational Structure. -
The Chairperson shall determine the 
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organizational structure, staffing pattern and pay scales of the Authority subject to existing civil 
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service and compensation laws. The Chairperson may reorganize the Authority and may create 
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or abolish divisions, units or branches therein as the exigencies of the affairs of the Authority 
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may require. 
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SEC. 13. 
Transitory Provision. - The Mindanao Economic Development Council 
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(MEDCo), created wlder Executive Order No. 512 (s ... 1992), and as amended by Executive 
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Order No. 244 (s. 2000), Executive Order No. 354 (s. 2004), Executive Order No. 357 (s. 2004), 
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and Executive Order No. 757 (s. 2008) is hereby abolished. All its budgetary appropriations, 
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finances, properties, records, equipment, rights, and other assets as well as liabilities, are hereby 
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transferred to the Authority. 
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The Authority shall absorb the existing plantilla positions and incumbent staff of 
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MEDCo who shall continue to perform their respective duties and responsibilities and receive 
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the corresponding salaries and benefits, in the fulfillment of the powers and functions of the 
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Authority. 
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SEC. 14. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to finance the initial implementation 
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of this Act shall be charged against the current year's appropriations of the Mindanao Economic 
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Development Council (MEDCo). Thereafter, the current budget shall be increased by one 
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hundred percent (100%), which amount shall be included in the Annual General Appropriations 
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Act (GAA) for its continued implementation. 
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The current appropriations of MEDCo shall he transferred to the Mindanao Economic 
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Development Authority to commence its activities. 
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SEC. 15. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations, 
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or parts thereof inconsistent with or contrary to the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or 
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modified accordingly. 
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SEC. 16. Separability Clause. 
If any part or provision of this Act is held 
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unconstitutional or invalid, other parts or provisions 'thereof, which are not affected, shall 
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continue to remain in full force and effect. 
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SEC. 17. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following completion 
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of its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
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Approved, 
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