EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
Third Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S. B. No. 2296
DATE
TH.1E
Introduced by SENATOR IMEE R. MARCOS
AN ACT CREATING THE BAGUIO CITY, LA TRINIDAD, ITOGON, SABLAN, 
TUBA, AND TUBLAY DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (BLISTTDA), DEFINING 
ITS POWERS AND FUNCTIONS, AND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Article XII, Section 1 of the 1987 Constitution provides that, "The goals of the 
national economy are a more equitable distribution of opportunities, income, and 
wealth; a sustained increase in the amount of goods and services produced by the 
nation for the benefit of the people; and an expanding productivity as the key to 
raising the quality of life for all, especially the underprivileged, xxx"
The City of Baguio and its nearby municipalities have a lot to offer in terms of 
economic development, agriculture, and tourism. However, as time has passed, 
environmental, tourist, transportation, water supply, waste management, and basic 
service provision Issues have become more apparent. Hence, to promote sustainable 
development and effective delivery of basic services in Baguio City and its neighboring 
towns, the Baguio City, La Trinidad, Itogon, Sablan, Tuba, and Tublay Development 
Authority (BLISTTDA) must be established, a government entity responsible for 
planning and implementing basic area-wide services while preserving the autonomy 
of the local government units.
This bill therefore seeks to create the Baguio City, La Trinidad, Itogon, Sablan, 
Tuba and Tublay Development Authority (BLISTTDA). This proposed measure aims to 
centralize and oversee development efforts and initiatives addressing the challenges 
and problems confronting the City of Baguio and neighboring municipalities. The 
principle of synergy would be emphasized through BUSTTDA when towns/cities in a 
contiguous area could achieve more by planning and implementing together. This will 
definitely pave the way for mutual support, cooperation through resource sharing, and 
active collaboration in the region.
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this measure earnestly 
sought.
[Tmar^s


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
Third Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S. B. No. 2296
TRIE
Introduced by SENATOR IMEE R. MARCOS
AN ACT CREATING THE BAGUIO CITY, LA TRINIDAD, ITOGON, SABLAN, 
TUBA, AND TUBLAY DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (BLISTTDA), DEFINING 
ITS POWERS AND FUNCTIONS, AND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Phiiippines in Congress 
assembied:
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SECTION 1. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the 
State to pursue the acceleration of social, economic, and political development of local 
government units (LGUs) and their communities through the creation of special 
development and administrative areas that will ensure the efficient and effective 
planning, supervision, and coordination of essential basic services, without prejudice 
to the autonomy of the LGUs concerned.
SEC. 2. Creation and Mandate of the Baguio City, La Trinidad, Itogon, Sablan, 
Tuba, and Tublay Development Authority (BLISTTDA). - There is hereby created a 
government instrumentality to be named as the Baguio City, La Trinidad, Itogon, 
Sablan, Tuba, and Tublay Development Authority, hereinafter referred to as 
BLISTTDA, which shall administer a special development and administrative area 
embracing the City of Baguio and the municipalities of La Trinidad, Itogon, Sablan, 
Tuba, and Tublay. The BLISTTDA shall be under the administrative supervision of the 
Office of the President of the Philippines.
The BLISTTDA shall serve as the platform for the acceleration of the social, 
economic, and political developments in the area as a unified management unit by 
enabling the component LGUs to respond to common developmental challenges 
through unified, effective, and economically efficient programs and undertakings.
The BUSTTDA shall perform planning, monitoring, and coordinative functions. 
It shall exercise regulatory and supervisory authority over the delivery of area-wide 
services within the jurisdictions of the concerned city and municipalities without 
diminution of the autonomy of the LGUs concerning purely local matters.
SEC. 3. Scope of BLISTTDA Services. - The BLISTTDA shall provide services 
that shall take into consideration the needs of the population within the territory of 
the local government units concerned. These services shall include the following:


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(a) Development planning and Preparation of Medium and Long - Term
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Development Plans - These shall cover evaluation and packaging of development
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projects; investments programming and coordination; and monitoring of program and
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project implementation;
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(b) Urban Renewa!/ Land Use Planning, and Housing and Shelter -These shall
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cover formulation, adoption and implementation of policies, standards, programs, and
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projects to rationalize and optimize urban land use taking into consideration urban
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growth and expansion. These activities shall address the rehabilitation and
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development of identified areas and the development of shelter and housing facilities
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with provisions for necessary social services;
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(c) Transport and Traffic Management - These shall cover formulation,
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coordination, and monitoring of policies, standards, and programs that will rationalize
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the existing transport operations, infrastructure requirements, use of thoroughfares,
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and promotion of safe and convenient movement of persons and goods. These
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activities shall include the administration and implementation of traffic enforcement
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operations, traffic engineering services, and the institution of a single ticketing system;
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(d) Solid Waste Disposal and Management- This shall cover formulation and
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implementation of policies, programs, and projects for the proper and sanitary disposal
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of solid waste. It shall likewise include the establishment and operation of a sanitary
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landfill, waste to energy projects, eco-composting facility (ECR) and related facilities,
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and the implementation of other alternative programs intended to reduce, reuse, and
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recycle solid waste;
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(e) Flood Control and Sewerage Management - This shall cover formulation
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and implementation of policies, standards, programs, and projects for an integrated
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flood control and drainage system;
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(f) Water Resource Management System - This shall cover formulation and
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implementation of policies, programs, and projects for a comprehensive water
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resource system which shall include the establishment and operation of water source
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development, treatment, distribution, and sewerage system facilities;
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(g) Health, Sanitation, and Pollution Control-This shall cover formulation and
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implementation of policies, standards, and programs to safeguard public health and
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maintain sanitation. It shall ensure the promotion of ecological balance and the
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prevention and control of environmental pollution;
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(h) Public Safety and Order- This shall cover formulation and implementation
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of programs, policies, and procedures to maintain public safety, including
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preparedness for preventive or rescue operations during times of calamities and
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disasters, including the implementation of contingency plans and mobilization of
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resources for relief operations in coordination with national agencies concerned; and
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(i) Tourism - This shall cover formulation and implementation of policies,
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programs, and projects for the promotion of tourism in the entire BLISTT area. There
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shall be a Baguio, La Trinidad,
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SEC. 4. BUSTTDA Council. - There shall be a Baguio, Itogon, Sablan, Tuba,
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and Tublay (BLISTT) Council, hereinafter referred to as the Council, which shall serve
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as the governing board and policy-making body of BLISTTDA. The Council shall be
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composed, in an ex officio capacity, of the Governor of the Province of Benguet, the
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Representatives of Baguio and Benguet, and the mayors of the City of Baguio and the
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municipalities of La Trinidad, Itogon, Sablan, Tuba, and Tublay, as regular members.
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The duly authorized representatives of the National Economic and Development
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Authority (NEDA), Department of Transportation (DOTr), Department of Public Works
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and Highways (DPWH), Department of Tourism (DOT), Department of Information
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and Communications Technology (DICT), Department of Budget and Management
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(DBM), Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC), National
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Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI),
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Department of Agriculture (PA), Department of Environment and Natural Resources
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(DENR), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Commission on Higher
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Education (CHED), Philippine National Police (PNP) and two (2) representatives of the
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private sector, who shall be appointed by the Council, shall attend meetings of the
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Council as non-voting members.
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The Council shall be headed by a Chairman, to be elected from among the
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regular members, who shall preside over the meetings of the Council.
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In addition to the Council members, there shall be an Administrator who shall
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serve for a term of six (6) years, to be appointed by the President of the Philippines
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from a list of nominees submitted by the Council, and shall continue to hold office at
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the discretion of the appointing authority.
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The Administrator shall be vested with rank, rights, privileges, disqualifications,
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and prohibitions of a cabinet member. The Administrator shall act as the Chief
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Executive Officer of the BLISTTDA. The Administrator and the members of the Council,
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except ex officio members, are entitled to allowances and per diems in accordance
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with existing policies, rules, and regulations on the matter.
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SEC. 5. Powers and Functions of the BLISTTDA. - The BLISTTDA shall exercise
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the following powers and functions:
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(a) Formulate, coordinate, and regulate the implementation of medium- and
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long-term plans and programs for the delivery of services, land use, and physical
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development within BLISTT, consistent with national development objectives and
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priorities. The medium-term investment programs for BUSTT-wide services shall
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indicate sources and allocation of funds for priority programs and projects;
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(b) Undertake and manage its programs and projects for the delivery of
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specific services under its jurisdiction, subject to the approval of the Council. For this
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purpose, the BLISTTDA shall create appropriate project management offices;
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(c) Coordinate and monitor the implementation of such plans, programs, and
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projects in the City of Baguio and component municipalities; identify bottlenecks and
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adopt solutions to problems of implementation;
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(d) Set policies concerning traffic and coordinate and regulate the
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implementation of all programs and projects concerning traffic management. It may
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seek assistance and cooperation, including assignment of personnel, from other
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government agencies concerned if necessary. Install and administer a single ticketing
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system, fix, impose, and collect fines and penalties for all kinds of violations of traffic
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rules and regulations. The BLISTTDA shall enforce all traffic laws and regulations in
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the BLISTT area through its Traffic Operation Center;
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(e) Enter into contract and own properties; receive funding, payments, grants,
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contributions, and donations;


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(f) Sue and be sued in order to carry out its duties and functions as provided 
for in this Act; and
(g) Perform other related functions required to achieve the objectives of the 
BLISTTDA, including the undertaking of delivery of basic services to the LGUS when 
deemed necessary subject to prior coordination with and consent of the LGU 
concerned.
SEC. 6. Functions of the BLISTTDA Council. - The Council shall perform the 
following functions:
(a) Exercise the policy-making power of the BLISTTDA;
(b) Approve plans, programs, and projects and issue rules and regulations 
deemed necessary by the BLISTTDA to carry out the purposes of this Act;
(c) Fix the compensation of the officers and personnel of the BLISTTDA in 
accordance with the Salary Standardization Law and approve the annual budget 
thereof for submission to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM);
(d) Recommend investment programming for its plans and programs, as well 
as supervise the implementation of plans and programs which includes the formulation 
and coordination of its related activities;
(e) Set policies and standards, and promulgate rules and regulations governing 
the delivery of basic services;
(f) Endorse the annual as well as the supplemental budgets of the BUSSTDA; 
and
(g) Perform such other acts and assume such other functions as may be 
necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.
SEC. 7. Functions of the BLISTTDA Administrator. - The BLISTTDA 
Administrator shall:
(a) Appoint, subject to civil service laws, rules and regulations, all subordinate 
officers and employees, who shall enjoy security of tenure and may be removed only 
for cause in accordance with law. The Administrator is hereby authorized to engage 
the services of experts or consultants either on full-time or part-time basis, as may be 
required in the performance of the Administrator's duties and functions;
(b) Execute the policies and measures approved by the Council and be 
responsible for the efficient and effective day-to-day management of the operations 
of the BLISTTDA, and exercise the power to discipline subordinate officials and 
employees under the provisions of law;
(c) Subject to the guidelines and policies set by the Council, prepare and 
submit to the Council, for its approval, the organizational structure and the staffing 
pattern, and fix the number of subordinate officials and employees of the BLISTTDA 
in accordance with Civil Service laws, rules and regulations and evaluation and 
approval of the Department of Budget and Management;
(d) Prepare the annual budget for the operations of the BUSTTDA for 
submission to the Council;


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(e) Prepare an annual report on the accomplishments of the BUSTTDA for 
submission to the Council and to the President of the Phiiippines; and
(f) Perform such other duties as may be assigned by the President of the 
Phiiippines or by the Council.
SEC. 8. The Senior Managers. - The Administrator shaii be assisted by a Senior 
Manager for Operations, a Senior Manager for Planning, and a Senior Manager for 
Finance and Administration, all of whom are appointees of the President of the 
Philippines, as recommended by the Administrator and Council, subject to civil service 
iaws, rules and regulations. They shall enjoy security of tenure unless removed for 
cause in accordance with law.
A. The Senior Manager for Operations shaii have the following functions:
1. Assist the Administrator in the administration of the BLISTTDA and 
supervision of subordinate personnei;
2. Assist the Administrator in the supervision of operation centers and units 
of the BLISTTDA;
3. Assist the Administrator in the review of plans and programs for the 
BLISTTDA and the LCDs, and in the preparation of the annuai report of 
the activities and accomplishments of the BLISTTDA; and
4. Perform such other duties and functions as may be lawfully delegated or 
assigned by the Administrator from time to time.
B. The Senior Manager for Planning shaii possess not less than five (5) years 
extensive experience in development and planning or a Master's degree in Urban 
Planning or related discipline and shaii have the following functions:
1. Provide technical assistance to the Administrator;
2. Assist in the crafting and formulation of medium- and long- term 
development plan; and
3. Perform other functions as delegated by the Administrator.
C. The Senior Manager for Finance and Administration shaii perform the 
foiiowing functions:
1. Assist in the preparation of the BLISTTDA annual budget;
2. Assist in the preparation of medium- and long-term investment program 
for the delivery of social services;
3. Assist in the preparation of budgetary expenditure and sources of 
financing program for the operation of BLISTTDA; and
4. Perform other functions as may be delegated by the Administrator.
SEC. 9. Institutional Linkages. - The BLISTTDA shall, in carrying out its 
functions, consult, coordinate, and work ciosely with the public and private institutions, 
accredited people's organizations and nongovernmental organizations operating in the 
BLISTT area.
The BLISTTDA shaii formulate a master plan to serve as the framework for the 
development of the BLISTT area. It shall submit its development plans and investment


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programs to the NEDA for integration into the Medium-Term Philippine Development 
Plan (MTPDP) and public investment program.
The BLISTTDA shall, in coordination with the NEDA and the Department of 
Finance (DOF), interface with foreign assistance agencies for purposes of obtaining 
financial support, grants, and donations in support of its programs and projects.
SEC. 10. Sources of Funds and the Operating Budget of the BLISTTDA. -
(a) The amount necessary for the operating budget of the BLISTTDA shall be 
included in the annual General Appropriations Act.
(b) The BLISTTDA is empowered to levy fines and impose fees and charges for 
various services rendered.
(c) The operations of the BLISTTDA shall likewise be supported through 
financial contributions or technical assistance from member LGUs, nongovernment 
agencies (NGAs) and government-owned and -controlled corporations (GOCCs) and 
the private sector, and other local and international organizations in the form of grants, 
donations, contributions, payments, penalties, fees, and charges.
In case of grants, in-cash or in-kind, from foreign governments or their agencies 
and instrumentalities, or multilateral institutions or organizations, acceptance thereof 
shall be subject to prior clearance and approval of the Council and the President of 
the Philippines or the authorized representative, based on the recommendation of the 
Secretary of Finance. In case of donations, in-cash or in-kind, from foreign 
governments, acceptance .thereof shall require prior clearance and approval by the 
Council and the President of the Philippines or the authorized representative based on 
the recommendation of the Secretary of Foreign Affairs.
SEC.ll. Inclusion in the BLISTTDA. - Adjoining LGUs that opt to be included 
in the BLISTTDA shall be allowed; Provided, That a Sanggunian resolution for the 
purpose has been passed and duly approved: Provided, further. That there shall be a 
concurrence from the BUSTTDA Council.
SEC. 12. Separability Clause. - If any part or provision of this Act is held 
unconstitutional or invalid, other parts or provisions hereof which are not affected shall 
continue to remain in full force and effect.
SEC. 13. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and 
regulations, or parts or provisions thereof which are not consistent with this Act are 
hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.
SEC. 14. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,