Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS,
Second Regular Session

7183

House Bill No.

Introduced by Representatives Gil P. Acosta, Frederick F. Abueg, Franz
Josef George E. Alvarez, Anthony M. Bravo, Sabiniano S. Canama

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to declare the Seven Line Reef within the Municipality of
Aborlan and the City of Puerto Princesa, Province of Palawan as a component
of the National Integrated Protected Areas System under the category of a
protected seascape.

The National Integrated Protected Areas System Act provides the legal
framework for the establishment and management of protected areas in the
country. The system consists of all areas or islands in the Philippines
proclaimed, designated, or set aside, pursuant to a law, presidential decree,
presidential proclamation, or executive order as natural park, game refuge, bird
and wildlife sanctuary, wilderness area, strict nature reserve, watershed,
mangrove reserve, fish sanctuary, and protected and managed landscape and
seascape.

A protected seascape refers to a protected area where the interaction of
people and nature over time has produced an area of distinct character with
significant ecological, biological, cultural and scenic value and where
safeguarding the integrity of this interaction is vital to protecting and sustaining
the area and its associated nature conservation and other values.

The Seven Line Reef begins on the southeastern coast of Puerto
Princesa City , traverses the northeast portion of Aborlan’s municipal waters,
and ends in the national waters of the Sulu Sea. Roughly half of the Seven Line
Reef is in the municipal waters of Aborlan. The coral reefs of Seven Line
measure a total of 12,399 hectares with 229 fish species. Nomenclature aside,
Aborlan’s rich Seven Line Reef has become a prized local fishing ground that


has come under threat from outsiders and their destructive illegal fishing
practices.

Given the richness of the natural beauty and the importance of the Seven
Line Reef to the ecological and socio-economic development of the local
communities, it is therefore necessary to give primary consideration and
protection of this area.

The participation of all the stakeholders of the Seven Line Reef Protected
Seascape, especially the local communities headed by the concerned local
government agencies shall also be maximized to ensure efficient and effective
management of the protected area.

In view of the foregoing, immediate passage of this bill is earnestly
sought.

P. et OSTA
/ Representative
3" District of Palawan

FRANZ JOSEF GEORGE E. ALVAREZ
Representative
1" District of Palawan

SABINIANO $+ iAMA
Repre¢entative
COOP-NATCCO PARTYLIST COOP-NATCCO PARTYLIST



CeVvaneawne

soe
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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

House Bill No. 7183

Introduced by Representatives Gil P. Acosta, Frederick F. Abueg, Franz
Josef George E. Alvarez, Anthony M. Bravo, Sabiniano S. Canama

AN ACT DECLARING THE SEVEN LINE REEF IN THE PROVINCE
OF PALAWAN AS A PROTECTED SEASCAPE, PURSUANT TO
REPUBLIC ACT 7586, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE NATIONAL
INTEGRATED PROTECTED AREAS SYSTEM (NIPAS) ACT OF 1992
AND PROVIDING FUNDS FOR ITS MANAGEMENT AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES

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

Article I — Title, Policies and Scope

SECTION 1. Title. — This Act shall be known as the “ SEVEN LINE
REEF PROTECTED SEASCAPE ACT OF 2018.”

SEC.2. Statement of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to
ensure the protection and conservation of the globally significant economic,
biological, sociocultural, educational, and scientific values of the Seven Line
Reef for the enjoyment of present and future generations. These objectives shall
be pursued through sustainable and participatory management, in accordance
with Republic Act No. 7586 or the National Integrated Protected Areas System
(NIPAS) Act of 1992 and international conventions to which the Philippines is a

signatory.

SEC. 3. Declaration. — Pursuant to the above policy, the NIPAS Act and as
provided herein, the Seven Line Reef, which shall cover an approximate area of
nine thousand six hundred fifteen (9,615) hectares, including its islets, seabed
and airspace, comprising the Malunao Island, Putting Buhangin, Gusong Reef,
Kalaparan Reef, Kalayungan Reef, Puntod Sanctuary in the Municipality of


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Aborlan, and the waters in front of barangays Kamuning and Inagawan, Puerto
Princesa City in the Province of Palawan, is hereby declared and established as
a protected area under the category of a protected seascape to be known as the
Seven Line Reef Protected Seascape.

Sec. 4. Definition of Terms. — For purposes of this Act, the following terms are
hereby defined:

(a) “SLRPS” or “protected area” shall refer to the Seven Line Reef
Protected Seascape as established herein;

(b) “Genetically Modified Organisms” or GMO means any living organism
that possesses a combination of genetic material obtained through the use
of modern biotechnology through in vitro nucleic acid techniques,
including recombinant deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and direct injection
of nucleic acid into cells or organelles, or fusion of cells beyond the
taxonomic family, that overcome natural physiological reproductive or
recombination barriers that are not techniques used in traditional breeding
and selection.

(c) “LGUs” shall pertain to local government units within the SLRPS;

(d)“PAMB"” shall refer to the SLRPS Protected Area Management Board;

(e)“PAMO” shall refer to the Protected Area Management Office;

(f) “PASO” shall refer to the Protected Area Superintendent Office
comprised of the PASu and his/her staff;

(g)“PASu” refers to the Protected Area Superintendent;

(h)“PSCD” ” shall refer to the Palawan Council for Sustainable
Development as created under Republic Act No. 7611, otherwise known
as the “Strategic Environmental Plan for Palawan Act.”

(i) “Protected species” shall refer to any plant or animal declared protected

under Philippine laws and international conventions, including species

listed under the Convention on International Trade of Endangered

Species (CITES) and all Annexes, the Bonn Convention on Migratory

Species, the Red-list Categories of the World Conservation Union

(IUCN), or any plant or animal which the PAMB may deem critical for

the conservation and preservation of the BVNP.

“Protected Seascape shall refer to areas of national significance which are

characterized by the harmonious interaction of man and nature while

providing opportunities for public enjoyment through recreation, tourism,
and other economic activities.

0

Sec.5. Scope. — The Seven Line Reef Protected Seascape (SLRPS) shall
cover the Malunao Island, Putting Buhangin, Gusong Reef, Kalaparan
Reef, Kalayungan Reef, Puntod Sanctuary in the Municipality of
Aborlan, and the waters in front of barangays Kamuning and Inagawan,


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Puerto Princesa City in the Province of Palawan including its islets,
seabed and airspace, containing an approximate area of nine thousand six
hundred fifteen (9,615) hectares subject to ground survey with the
following technical description:

TECHNICAL DESCRIPTIONS
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9° 19°9.490"| 118 be
4 |N33-43-43E | 1533.102M < DO SenatLE

9° 19° 50.876" | 118 © 30°
5 | N71-24-23E | 436.192M N, 24.205” E

9° 19° 55.346"/ 118° 30°
6 = | $48-32-2E 392.937 M N, Speer on

9° 19 46.835" (118 ° 30°
7 |N63-16-44E | 421.328M ¢ 47387" E

9° 19° 52.949" | 118 30°
8  |N83-32E 858.748 M N 50.746" E
A 41-13-34 | 394.826 9° 20° 20.609" | 118° 317 3.811”

: N E

9° 20° 30.238"/ 118 ° 31°
10 |N 10-27-39 | 789.34M N 12.381" E

9° 20° 55.485"/118 °  3P°
11 |N31-35-56E | 1208.668M ns 12.381" E

9° 217 28.905" 118 ° B17
12 |N75-13-36E | 946.204 M < 38.089" E

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9° QP 22.777 | 118 7 32
14 |N55-24-44E | 260.831 M N 14.673" E

9° 21° 27.566"|118 © 327
15 | N8-2-20 E 441.779 M < 21.732" E

9° 21° 41.795" | 118 Em
16 |N44-52-17W_ | 347.179M “a 23.820" E



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TECHNICAL DESCRIPTIONS
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2 |$61-37-18w | 272.713M 1 ee |
23 | N80-51-50W | 384.767 M Sy pee is
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TECHNICAL DESCRIPTIONS

STA [BEARING  |DISTANCE [LATITUDE | LONGITUDE
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War :
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si |N62-42-44 | 498.420M hae |
52 |$59-10-10B | 191.755M a oe ee aed
53 |N69-30-21E |353.555M oa ee MS most
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9° 29° 36.124] 118 ° 37
56 | N20-24-25W | 746.959M. No 23.529" E

9° 29° 58.950" 118 ° 37°
57 |N45-36-13E | 276.605 M N, 15.097" E

9° 30° 5.218"] 118? 37
58 | N 43-54-22 W | 294.976 M N 21.606” E

9°30 12.1677} 118 ° 37°
59 |N24-9-27E | 526.726M N 14.932” E

9° 30° 27.777" | 118 © 37
60 |S 58-26-17E | 169.589M N 22.073” E

9° 30° 24.865” | 118 37
61 |N53-52-13E | 439.300M N 26.797 E

9° 30° 33.242” 118 7 37°
62 |$57-28-12E | 278.047M N 38.470" E

9° 30° 28.339 118 ° 37°
63 |N57-45-14E | 238.001M No 46.133” E

9° 30° 32.442"| 118 ° 37°
64 |S 20-50-56W | 218.558M N 52.753” E

9° 30° 25.806" | 118° 37
65 |S 72-1-40E 288.426 M No 50.171” E

9°30" 22.8677/118 ° 37°
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9° 30° 14.738" | 118 ° 38°
68 |N13-26-5E — | 696.550M. N 15.274" E

9° 30° 36.764” | 118 38°
69 |N42-26-45E | 660.651M N 20.685” E

9° 30° 52.562" 118 ° 38°
70 |N14-26-38E | 850.815M N 35.380" E

9°31 19.3477 118 © 38°
71 -|N3-34-59W | 667.182M N 42.466" E

9°31? 41.026"/ 118 ° 38" 41-
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9° 32° 2.060"| 118 ° 38°
73 |N36-13-52E | 557.681M N 56.884" E
74 |N 10-1-22E 897.235 M 9 32° 16.650" | 118° 39° 7.762”

N

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Article Il - Management, Management Plan and Zoning



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Sec. 6. Management of the SLRPS. — The management and
administration of the SLRPS shall be vested with the PAMB; provided, that the
management zones to be established within the SLRPS shall be consultative and
participatory.

The PAMB shall be responsible for the planning, resource protection and
general administration of the SLRPS in accordance with the approved
Management Plan.

Sec. 7. Management Plan. There shall be a Management Plan which
shall serve as the long-term basic framework for the management of the SLRPS,
govern all activities within the SLRPS, and guide the preparation of the annual
operations plan and budget. The Management Plan shall be consistent with this
Act and the nature of the SLRPS as a protected area under the category of a
protected seascape. A Manual containing the Management Plan and other
supporting data shall be prepared in accordance with the implementing rules of
the NIPAS Act.

Within one (1) year from the effectivity of this Act, the PASO in
coordination with the local community and various stakeholders, the PCSD, the
municipal government of Aborlan, City Government of Puerto Princesa and the
Provincial Government of Palawan with the assistance from the Department of
Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Department of
Agriculture — Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) shall
prepare the Management Plan in accordance with the General Management
Planning Strategy as provided in the implementing rules of the NIPAS Act. It
shall contain among others, the following:

(a)A period of applicability for ten (10) years subject to review every five
(5) years;

(b)Key management issues;

(c) Goals and objectives of management in support of Section 2 hereof;

(d) Zoning in accordance with Section 8 hereof;

(e) Management programs to include enforcement laws, habitat and wildlife
management, ecotourism, sustainable use, management, infrastructure
development and maintenance, fire prevention and pest control;

(f) Sustainable and non-destructive livelihood activities;

(g) Regulations in furtherance of the preservation and conservation aims of
the SLRPS such as allowable activities, resource-use restrictions, among
others; and

(h) Other relevant conservation matters.


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The Management Plan shall be reviewed and approved by the
PAMB and submitted to the PCSD and DENR. The Management Plan
shall not be revised or modified without prior consultation with the
PAMB. It shall be reviewed and updated every (5) years.

Two (2) years prior to the expiration of the current Management
Plan, the PASO shall cause the publication of notices for comments and
suggestions on the New Management Plan that will succeed the old one
in a newspaper of general circulation and the posting thereof in the
provincial, municipal/city and barangay halls of the LGUs comprising the
SLRPS, and in three (3) other conspicuous areas frequented by the public
within the SLRPS. At least two (2) public hearings shall be conducted on
the proposed successor plan and shall be made available for public
perusal at the PASO.

The Management Plan and all its successor plans shall be prepared
in English and Filipino, plainly written and made accessible to the public
at the PASO.

Sec. 8.Zoning — Strict Protection Zone and Multi-Use Zone shall be
established within the SLRPS giving primary consideration to its
protection and conservation. Zoning shall also take into account the
tenurial and livelihood concerns of communities to ensure the efficient
protection of habitats, fragile ecosystems and unique areas.

The establishment and management of zones must involve the
community concerned by undertaking such steps as dialogues,
consultations and land and resource-use mapping. Zones shall be
demarcated on the ground and indicated on maps with the participation of
communities, LGUs, and other stakeholders. Buffer zone shall also be
established within the peripheral areas of the SLRPS in accordance with
the Management Plan to serve as a social fence where tenurial and
sustainable resources-use rights may be granted to qualified groups and
individuals.

Article III — Institutional Mechanism, Roles, and Functions
Sec. 9. PAMB — (a) There shall be a Protected Area Management

Board which shall serve as the highest policy-making body of the SLRPS.
It shall be composed of the following:


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(a) the Regional Executive Director (RED) of Region IV-B of the DENR,
to serve as co-chairperson;

(b) the chairperson of the PCSD or his/her representative, to serve as co-
chairperson;

(c) the members of the House of Representatives who represent the
congressional districts of Palawan or their representatives;

(d) the governor of the Province of Palawan or his/her representative;

(e) the mayor of the Municipality of Aborlan or his/her representative;

(f) the mayor of the City of Puerto Princesa or his/her representative;

(g) the chairperson of the Environment and Natural Resources
Committee of the Sangguniang Bayan of Aborlan;

(h) the chairperson of the Environment and Natural Resources Committee
of the Sangguniang Panlunsod of Puerto Princesa;

(i) the district commander of the Coast Guard District of Palawan;

(j) a representative from the Department of Tourism;

(k) the Provincial Fishery Officer of the DA — BFAR in Palawan or
his/her representative;

(1) atleast two (2) representatives from the academe;

(m) at least three (3) representatives from PO/NGOs involved in the
conservation and management of the SLRPS;

Every member of the PAMB shall serve for a term of five (5) years,
renewable for another (5) years; Provided, that he/she remains connected
with the office or sector he/she is supposed to represent; Provided further
that the LGU representatives must present the necessary endorsement
from their respective Sanggunians. Whenever a vacancy occurs during
the term of a non-government PAMB member, a new member shall be
chosen in the same manner as the original selection process and only for
the remaining term.

Sec. 10. Powers and Functions of the PAMB — The PAMB shall decide
by majority vote and shall have the following powers and functions:

(a) Issue rules and regulations to control, prohibit and regulate all acts that
may be prejudicial to the SLRPS pursuant to the policy declarations
herein set forth, including the imposition of fines to a maximum of
Twenty thousand pesos (P20,000,00) and issuance of cease and desist
orders, whenever justified;

(b)Possess authority to issue permits and conditions thereto and
determine and collect fees for the utilization and enjoyment of the
SLRPS and the resources therein; Provided, that the PAMB may
delegate to the PASu the authority to issue permits and collect fees for



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temporary access to the SLRPS such as visiting or diving, subject to
the limits as may be determined by the PAMB: Provided however that
the entry into the SLRPS for emergency reasons shall not be subject to
permit and user’s fees

(c) Review, approve and adopt a Management Plan for SLRPS;

(d)Recommend through the PASu the deputation of individuals or
groups for the enforcement of laws, rules, and regulations governing
conduct within the SLRPS and its buffer zones and prescribe the
necessary qualifications;

(e) Approve contracts and agreements consistent with the purpose of this
Act;

(f) Accept donations and grants;

(g)Review and approve proposals for funding, financial and work plans,
and exercise accountability over all funds that may accrue to the
SLRPS;

(h) Promulgate rules and regulations on the conduct of its business;

(i) Monitor and evaluate the performance of all PASO personnel;

(j) Retain legal counsel to defend cases against the PAMB, the PASO
staff and deputized individuals whenever they are used in connection
with the performance of their duties and functions under this Act, and
to assist in other PAMB legal matters; and

(k)Initiate and file suits against persons or entities whose business or
activities are detrimental to the protected area.

Sec. 11. Protected Area Superintendent’s Office — There is hereby
created a Protected Area Superintendent’s Office (PASO) which shall
perform the day-to-day management, protection and administration of
the SLRPS. It shall be headed by the Protected Area Superintendent
(PASu) as its chief operating officer who shall directly be accountable
to the PAMB and the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources
Officers of the DENR (PENRO-DENR) in Aborlan and Puerto
Princesa City. The PASu shall coordinate his/her activities with the
CENRO with regard to DENR programs that are related to protected
area management.

The PASO shall be staffed by a sufficient number of personnel
with functions and qualifications as provided for by the PAMB. The
PASO staff shall preferably be hired from the residents of Aborlan
and Puerto Princesa City, unless otherwise not qualified.

The PASu shall prepare an annual accomplishment report on all
activities undertaken in the protected area for PAMB review and
submission to the DENR Secretary.


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Sec.12. Local Government Units — The LGUs of Aborlan, Puerto
Princesa and Palawan shall participate in the management of the
SLRPS through their representation in the PAMB and shall have the
following functions:

(a) Apprise their respective constituents, office and sector on activities
and programs for the protected area;

(b)Ensure consistency in the implementation of all activities in the
protected area;

(c)Retain their ordinance making powers over the protected area;
Provided, that on matters relating to biodiversity, protection and
sustainable development, the ordinances shall be consistent with
the Management Plan;

(d)In the formulation of their development plan, LGUs shall consider
the SLRPS Management Plan;

(e) Assist the PAMB in the implementation of the overall programs,
including but not limited to the imposition, collection and
utilization of fees, enforcement of policies, rules and regulations
and other similar activities;

(f) Accredit people’s organizations, NGOs and other entities and
groups involved in activities within the SLRPS; and

(g)Provide the PAMB with relevant information and data for the
effective management of the protected area.

Sec. 13. Role of the DENR and the PCSD. — The DENR and the
PCSD shall coordinate closely to ensure the sound management
and conservation of the SLRPS, provide technical and financial
assistance to the SLRPS as may be needed and appoint
representatives to the PAMB.

Article IV — Utilization of Resources

See. 14. Utilization of Resources — Except upon prior approval of
the PAMB and consistent with the Management Plan, the use of
natural resources within the SLRPS shall not be allowed. However,
the sustainable use of resources by tenured migrants for their
domestic needs or for subsistence shall not be restricted except
protected species and whenever highly detrimental to the
ecosystem.


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Article V — Prohibited Acts

Sec. 15. Prohibited Acts — The following acts are prohibited
within the SLRPS with their respective penalties:

(a) The penalties and qualifications prescribed in Articles 309 and
310 of the Revised Penal Code, depending on the value of the
resources involved in connection with the prohibited act or a
fine of at least triple the value of the said resources, or both
shall be imposed upon any person who:

(1)Collects, takes, destroys, traps, disturbs or otherwise
possesses any wild plant, animal or product, including
genetic resources, derived from the SLRPS without prior
PAMB permit; Provided, that such permit can only be given
for scientific purposes and necessary for protected area
management;

(2) Engages in illegal fishing activities in the SLRPS;

(b)A fine of not less than two hundred thousand pesos
(P200,000.00) but not more than one million pesos
(P1,000,000.00) or imprisonment for more than one (1) year but
not more than six (6) years, or both, shall be imposed upon any
person who:

(1) Uses or possesses motorized equipment, explosives or any
noxious substances anywhere within the strict protection
zones of the SLRPS as delineated by the PAMB;

(2) Discharges, leaves or dumps any waste product or substance
deleterious to the SLRPS ecosystem or to any of the flora
and fauna therein;

(3)Alters, removes, destroys or deface boundaries, marks or
signs;

(4) Enters the SLRPS without prior PAMB permit for purposes
of spelunking and other recreational activities;

(c)A fine not less than one million pesos (P1,000,000.00 but not
more than five million pesos (5,000,000.00) or imprisobment
from six (6) years but not more than twelve (12) years or both
shall be imposed upon any person who:


(1) Introduces exotic species or genetically modified organisms
within the SLRPS; and

(d)Administrative fines not less than five thousand pesos
(P5,000.00) but not exceeding fifty thousand pesos
(P50,000.00) shall be imposed for the violation of any rules and
regulations in the management plan or by the PAMB or
agreements reached before the PAMB in the exercise of
adjudicative functions; provided, that, if the area requires
rehabilitation or restoration as determined by the court, the
offender shall be required to restore or compensate for the
restoration to the damages that shall accrue to the Protected
Area Fund: provided, further, that the court shall order the
eviction of the offender and the forfeiture in favour of the
government of all species collected or removed including all
equipment , devices, and firearms used in connection therewith,
and any construction or improvement made thereon by the
offender. If the offender is an association or corporation, the
President or Manager shall be directly responsible for the Act of
his employees and laborers : provided, finally that the DENR
may impose administrative fines and penalties consistent with
this Act. Valuation of the damage for this Act shall take into
account biodiversity and conservation considerations as well as
aesthetic and scenic value. Valuation assessed by the DENR, in
coordination with other concerned government agencies shall be
presumed correct unless otherwise proven by preponderance of
evidence.

Any person who shall induce another or conspire to commit
any of the illegal acts prohibited in this Act or suffer their
workers to commit any of the same shall be liable in the same
manner as the one actually performing the act.

All conveyances, vessels, equipment, _ paraphernalia,
implements, gears, tools and similar devices shall be subject to
immediate and administrative confiscation, independent of the
judicial proceedings by the PASu Office upon apprehension,
subject however to due process and substantial evidence
requirements. When legal action is however filed in the regular
courts, the said conveyances, vessels, equipment, paraphernalia,
implements, gears, tools and similar devices, independent of the
administrative proceedings, shall not be released until after
judgment has been rendered. Proceeds of the sale of all objects


administratively or judicially confiscated pursuant hereto shall
accrue to the Protected Area Fund. Procedure of the sale thereof
shall be promulgated by the PAMB. However, in no case shall
any confiscated or rescued protected animal species be sold or
in any manner disposed of but shall be immediately turned over
to the PASu Office for release in its natural habitat, subject to
existing regulations.

The penalties specified in this Section shall be in addition to the penalties
contained in the provisions of Republic Act No. 7611, otherwise known as the
“Strategic Environmental Plan (SEP) for Palawan Act;” Republic Act No.
7586, otherwise known as the “National Integrated Protected Areas System Act
of 1992;” Republic Act No. 8550, otherwise known as “The Philippine
Fisheries Code of 1998;” Republic act No. 9147, otherwise known as the
“Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act;” Presidential Decree No.
979, otherwise known as the “Marine Pollution Decree of 1976;” and existing
forestry laws, and their corresponding rules and regulation not inconsistent
hereto.

Conviction for any offense under this Act of a Public Officer or Officer
of the law shall carry the accessory penalty of perpetual disqualification from
public office.

Article VI — Proceeds and Fees

Sec. 16. Integrated Protected Area Fund — The Integrated
Protected Area Fund (IPAF) for SLRPS is hereby established as
a special trust fund for the protection, maintenance,
administration and management of the SLRPS. One hundred
percent (100%) of the IPAF shall be retained by the PAMB and
exempted from being deposited in the National Treasury,
subject to regular accounting and audit procedures. The IPAF
shall be derived from the following sources:

(a)Fees and charges from facilities and rights directly
benefiting from the protected area including rights derived
therefrom;

(b) Fines from violations inside the protected area;

(c) Proceeds from lease of multiple use or special use areas
including tourism concessions;


(d)Fees from permitted sale of flora, fauna and other forest
resources;

(e) Entrance fees and rents of facilities in Recreation Zones;

(f) Contribution, donations, endowments and grants from any
source, and;

(g) Other revenues as provided in this Act.

All donations, grants and endowments shall be exempted from
donor’s tax, documentary stamp tax and all other taxes, fees, and charges
imposed by the government.

Current sources of revenue of LGUs such as business permits and
real property taxes shall be excluded from IPAF.

Sec. 17. Appropriations — In order to carry out the purposes of
this Act, an annual aggregate amount of One Hundred Million Pesos
(P100,000,000.00) shall be included in the annual General Appropriations
Act and allocated for the use of the SLRPS.

Article VII - Miscellaneous Provisions

Sec. 18. Separability Clause — If any part or section of this Act is
declared unconstitutional, such declaration shall not affect in any manner
other parts or sections hereof.

Sec. 19. Repealing Clause — All laws, proclamations, rules and
regulations inconsistent with this Act are repealed or modified
accordingly.

Sec. 20. Effectivity Clause — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15)
days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in any newspaper of
general circulation.

Approved,