ere
‘a 8 ea

> recetven 2)
2 get m3

eventeenth Congress
‘st Regular Session

4495

HOUSE BILL NO,

Introduced by Representative Deogracias Victor “DV” B. Savellano

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to create the Northern Luzon Growth Quadrangle
Development Authority, herein referred to as the Authority, covering the
provinces, cities and municipalities of Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley Region and
the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR).

As a backdrop of the proposed bill, precursor offices of the proposed
Authority were created in the past: The Northwestern Luzon Growth Quadrangle
Commission, created under Executive Order No. 175 (Series of 1994), as amended
by Executive Order No. 223 (Series of 1995), Executive Order No. 229 (Series of
1995), Executive Order No. 259 (Series of 1995) and Executive Order No, 373
(Series of 1996) under the Ramos Administration, and Executive Order No. 114
under the Estrada Administration. Executive Order No, 147 (Series of 2002),
creating the North Luzon Development Plan Management Office and Executive
Order No, 239 (Series of 2003) rationalizing the Office of North Luzon Growth
Quadrangle Area and Defining its Powers, Functions and Responsibilities were
likewise issued under the Arroyo administration.

In 2004, however, former Pres, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo issued Executive
Order No. 357 (Series of 2004) abolishing the North Luzon Development Plan
Management Office, and transferred the office and functions together with its
personnel to the Office of the Presidential Adviser for North Luzon. Thereafter,
President Benigno C, Aquino III issued Executive Order No, 18 (Series of 2010)
abolishing the Office of the North Luzon Quadrangle Area attached to the Office
of the President. ‘This author feels the necessity to bring back the office, hence
this bill

uw


The proposed Authority will be responsible for the overall policy direction,
coordination and supervision of the entire development efforts of [locos Region,
Cagayan Valley Region and CAR. The proposed Authority has a land area
totalling 57,971.60 square kilometers representing about 20% of the total land area
of the Philippines. The contiguous provinces and cities of locos Region, Cagaye
Valley Region and CAR are bound by historical and socio-cultural ties creating
interdependence where day to day activities of the Cordilleras affect those of the
lowlands of Hocos and Cagayan Valley regions. The people of Ilocos Region,
Cagayan Valley Region and CAR are rich with skilled manpower that can be
tapped for economic growth and development for the area, With the skilled
manpower, the proposed Authority is aimed to stimulate trade, investment and
tourism activities, generate jobs, expand businesses and create export and domestic
markets for local produce of the Ilocos and Cagayan valley regions and CAR with
the hope of reducing poverty incidence and for advancement and progress.

The three regions above, if developed together under a common framework
of integrated and sustainable development, require a main coordinating body such
as this Authority to effectively mobilize people in improving local industries. This
will support the national leadership in achieving continuous programs and projects
that would ensure sustained development for the three regions. Hopefully, the
proposed Authority will open avenues to expand its growth towards dealings with
Asian countries and other parts of the globe through trade, exchange programs,
joint ventures and international discourse.

Early approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

DEOGRACIAS VICTORY LANO


CoN ouswne

10

1

2

13

14

15

16

wv

18

19

20

Seventeenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNO.__ 4495

Introduced by Representative Deogracias Victor “DV” B. Sayellano

AN ACT
CREATING THE NORTHERN LUZON GROWTH QUADRANGLE
DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY, PRESCRIBING POWERS AND
FUNCTIONS AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

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

SECTION. |. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the “Northern

Luzon Growth Quadrangle Development Authority Act.”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Principles and Policies. ~ \t is hereby declared a
policy of the State to hasten the socioeconomic development of the provinces
and cities of Mocos 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 servic

and economic opportunities, It shall ensure the

implementation, management and oversight of the necessary measures and

1


10

12

2B

4

as

16

7

1g

19

20

aa

22

23

programs and an effective institutional mechanism to be established to address
the need for a coordinated and integrated approach in the formulation and
implementation of various inter-regional development plans, programs and
projects in Hocos Region, Cagayan Valley Region and the Cordillera
Administrative Region (CAR).
SEC, 3. Northern Luzon Growth Quadrangle Development Authority.
‘There is hereby created the Northern Luzon Growth Quadrangle 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 effect 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

locos 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.

. 6, Powers and Functions of the Authoi ~ The Authority shall

exercise the following powers and functions:


10

an

2

B

14

15

16

v

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

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

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

2) Promote and facilitate investments in any field which enhance the
socioeconomic development of tlocos 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 locos Region, Cagayan Valley Region and CAR that


10

an

12

13

4

15

16

7

18

19

20

a1

22

23

24

25

26

7

28

encourage economic and social development through programs, projects and
activities;
i) Coordinate and facilitate the extension of necessary planning,

management and technical as

tance to prospective and existing investors,
complementary and in support of agencies primarily mandated to execute such
functions;

Dd Establish a comprehensive and integrated database in Ilocos

Region, Cage

n Valley Region and CAR needed for planning and decision-

making;

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

1) Provide strategic direction for Hocos 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 practicablé, including
public-private partnership:

n) — Review and recommend for approval by the National Economic
and Development Authority (NEDA) Board such specific Hocos 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 Hocos Region, Cagayan Valley
Region and CAR, s

bject to existing laws, rules and regulations;


9

10

rey

12

B

14

45

16

7

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

p) Integrate, prioritize program and implement, whenever allowed and

authorized by applicable laws with impact on locos 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

r) 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. 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 Hocos Region, Cagayan Valley Region or CAR for at least (5)
years before the appointment

SEC. 8. 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 locos


10

un

2

2B

4

45

16

Vv

18

19

20

aa

22

23

24

26

7

28

29

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;

c) 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;

f) Supervise the monitoring and timely implementation of specific
Ilocos 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;

j) 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;


10

a

2

23

14

15

16

7

18

19

20

21

2

23

24

25

26

7

28

29

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.

SEC

. 9. 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 Ilocos 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. 10. 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;

c) A local chief executive among the municipalities and cities of
locos Region, Cagayan Valley Region and CAR designated by the Union of
Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP);


10

un

12

13

14

15

16

7

18

19

20

aa

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

d) The President of the Confederation of Governors, City Mayors and
Municipal Mayors League Presidents of Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley Region
and CAR; and

e) 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 Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley Region and
CAR:

‘The three (3) representatives from the private sector shall serve for a term

of

x (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.

The members of the Board are entitled for a per diem of not more than
five thousand pesos (P5,000.00) for every meeting. The per diem collected per
month must not exceed the equivalent of four (4) meetings. The amount of per
diem for every meeting may be increased by the President but such amount
shall not be increased within two (2) years from its last increase.

SEC, 11. Duties and functions. — The Board shall exercise the
following functions:

a) Provide direction and guidance for the Authority’s work and
thrusts for locos Region, Cagayan Valley Region and CAR;

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

c) 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;


10

ety

2

13

uM

15

16

W

18

19

20

aa

22

23

24

26

7

28

29

d) Explore sources for financing of priority specific Hocos Region,
Cagayan Valley Region and CAR interregional plans, programs, projects and

activitis

e) — Create committees or task forces as may be deemed necessary in
the accomplishment of duties and functions;
f) Determine schedules, establish voting procedures, criteria for the

constitution of a quorum and other rules and regulations in the conduct of Board

ional meetings; and

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

SEC. 12. 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) The Chairperson;

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

c) Representative from the nongovernment organizations in the
locos Region, Cagayan Valley Region and CAR business sector; and

d) Representative from the nongovernment organizations in the Ilocos
Region, Cagayan Valley Region and CAR

SEC. 13. 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.


10

14

12

2B

14

as

16

7

18

19

20

2a

22

23

24

. 14. 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, rules 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. 15, 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 Hocos 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. 16. 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 17. Repeating Clause. — All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules
and regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with or contrary to the provisions of
this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 18. Separability Clause. — If any part or provision of this Act is
held unconstitutional or invalid, other provisions hereof which are not affected
shall continue to remain in full force and effect.

SEC. 19. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifieen (15) days afier
al circulation.

its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of gen

Approved,