A
Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE 0F REPRESENTATIVES
Constitution Hills, Quezon City
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. ±4
ECEIVED
DATEMAY
&  o  2ae,
`ih\ ,%  "_EF J±±.9-EL
i,`'.i,,:B-Y_ffi
Introduced by Representative FAUSTINO `INNO' A. DY V
EXPLANATORY NOTE
This  bill  seeks  to  establish  a  special  economic  zone  in the  Province  of
Isabela to be known as the Isabela Special Economic Zone.
Isabela is a first-class province and one of the most progressive provinces
in the  Philippines.    A  beacon  of light  in the agricultural  sector, Isabela is the
country's  top  com producer  and the  second-highest rice producer contributing
21% of the com and 15% of the aggregate annual national rice production.
The  Province  of  Isabela  shared  the  highest  economy  in  the  Cagayan
Valley  Region,  with  44.8%  of the  421.17  billion  value  of the  region's  gross
domestic  product  in  2022.    Meanwhile,  the  economy  of the  Cagayan  Valley
Region grew by 8% in the same year, surpassing the country's economic growth
rate of 7.6%.
Infrastructure  development  in  Isabela  is  robust.    Extemal  and  intemal
highways  with  a  well-connected  network  of roads,  ports,  and  airports  are  in
place  to  facilitate  transportation.     The  province,  likewise,  has  established  a
dependable   telecommunications   and   multimedia   infrastructure   that   ensures
connectivity anywhere  in the world via the internet, satellite, cable and cellular
services.


The   favorable   demographics   and  diversified  economic  pillars  of  the
Province  of Isabela make  it very  conducive for the establishment of a special
economic  zone  that  may  truly  provide  the  people  of Isabela  a  decentralized,
self-reliant  and  self-sustaining  investment  center  with  minimum  government
intervention.
In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is urgently requested.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE 0F REPRESENTATIVES
Constitution Hills, Quezon City
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session
HOUSEBILLNo.      10434
Introduced by Representative FAUSTINO `INNO' A. DY V
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A  SPECIAL  ECONOMIC  ZONE IN THE PROVINCE
0F    ISABHLA    TO    BE    KNOWN    AS    THH    "I;SABEZ,4    SPECIAZ,
Ecorvon4Jc ZOIVE" AND AppRopRIATING FUNDs THEREFOR
Be it enacted by the Senate and House Of Representatives Of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:
SECTION  1.    Sfoorf  rjfJe.  -This  Act  shall  be  known  as  the   "Jsczbe/cz
Special Economic Zone Act. "
SEC.  2.   Dcc/¢r¢/I.oH a/Po/I.cj7. -It is hereby declared the policy of the
State to encourage, promote and accelerate a balanced industrial, economic and
social   development   of  the   country   through   the   establishment   of  special
economic  zones  in  strategic  locations  in  the  countryside  that  will  generate
employment, and promote trade and investment in the area.   Towards this end,
the  State  shall  endeavor to  establish  special  economic  zones  in  suitable  areas
1


where  entexprises  are  given  incentives  to  create  an  environment  conducive to
business.
EEC.  3.    Isabela  Special  Economic  Zone.  -In  accordance  wL+h  the
foregoing  policy,  there  is  hereby  established  a  special  economic  zone  in the
Province  of Isabela,  to  be  known  as  the   "Jsczbe/cz  Specz.cz/  Eco7?omz.c  Zo7ee, "
(ISEZ).     The  ISEZ  shall  cover  the  land  territories  in  the  Municipality  of
Echague, Province of Isabela and all other expansion areas within the Province
of Isabela which may  be  declared as part of the ISEZ including all municipal
waters and coastline of the Province of Isabela.   The specific metes and bounds
of ISEZ  shall  be  more  particularly  defined  in a presidential proclamation that
shall be issued for this purpose.
SEC.  4.     Gover#j.#g  PrJ.#cJ.p/cs.  -  The  ISEZ  shall  be  managed  and
operated under the following principles:
(a)      Within the  framework  and  limitations  of the Constitution and the
applicable provisions of Republic Act No. 7160, as amended, otherwise known
as the  "£occz/ Gover7cme#f Coc7e o/ /99J, " the  ISEZ  shall be  developed  into a
decentralized,  self-reliant and self-sustaining export processing, agro-industrial,
banking, commercial, manufacturing, financial, investment, trading, educational,
information  and  communications  technology  and tourism center,  with suitable
retirement and residential areas;
(b)      The       ISEZ       shall       be       equipped       with       transportation,
telecommunications,   and   other   facilities   needed   to   attract   legitimate   and


productive   local   and   foreign   investments,   generate   linkage  industries,   and
employment   opportunities   for   the   people   of  Isabela   and   its   neighboring
provinces;
(c)      The  ISEZ  may  establish  mutually  beneficial  economic  relations
with   other   entities   or   entexprises   within   the   country   or,   subject   to   the
administrative  guidance  of the  Department  of Foreign Affairs,  the  Philippine
Economic  Zone  Authority (PEZA),  and the Department of Trade and Industry
(DTI), with foreign entities or enteaprises;
(d)      Subject  to  the  provisions  of the  Constitution  and  other  relevant
laws,   foreign  citizens  and  companies   owned  by  non-Filipinos  may  set  up
enterprises in the ISEZ, either by themselves or in ajoint venture with Filipinos
in any sector of industry or for intemational trade and commerce;
(e)       The  ISEZ  shall  be  managed  and  operated  as  a  separate  customs
territory to ensure and facilitate the free flow, entry and movement of machinery
and other goods.   However, exportation or removal of goods, articles and capital
from  the  zone  to  other  parts  of the  Philippine  territory  shall  be  subject  to
customs duties and taxes under Republic Act No.10863, otherwise known as the
"Customs   Modernization   and   Tariff  Act   (CMTA)",   and  tflx  +a:ws   of  the
Philippines.   It shall be vested with the authority to  issue  certificates  of origin
for  products  manufactured  or  processed  within  the  ISEZ  in  accordance with
prevailing  rules  of origin,  and the pertinent regulations of the duly recognized
national bodies tasked to oversee all other ecozones in the country;


(I)       The areas comprising the IsEz may be expanded or reduced when
necessary,  through  a  presidential  proclamation  issued  for  the  said  purpose.
Thus, the ISEZ,  in consultation with the LGU,  shall have the power to acquire
either by purchase, negotiation or condemnation proceedings, any private land
within or adjacent to the ISEZ  for the  following purposes: (1) consolidation of
lands for zone development; (2) acquisition of right of way to the ISEZ; and (3)
protection of watershed areas and natural assets valuable to the prosperity of the
ISEZ;
(g)      Goods  manufactured  by  ISEZ  enterprises  shall be made  available
for retail  sale  in the domestic market,  subject to the payment of corresponding
taxes  on  raw  materials  and  other  regulations  that  may  be  formulated by  the
Isabela  Economic  Zone  Authority  together  with  the  PEZA,  the  Bureau  of
Customs,  the Bureau of Internal Revenue,  and the DTI.   However,  in order to
protect domestic  industries,  a negative list of industries  shall be drawn up and
regularly updated by the PEZA.   Enterprises engaged in industries included in
such negative list shall not be allowed to sell their products locally;
(h)      The defense and security of the IsEz and its perimeter fence shall
be the responsibility of the national government, in coordination with the ISEZ
and the concerned LGUs;
(i)       Duty free shops shall be located only withinthe IsEZ;
¢)       Business  establishments  operating  within the  IsEz  are  entitled to
the  existing fiscal  incentives  as provided for under Presidential Decree No.  66


the law creating the Export Processing Zone Authority, or those provided under
Book  VI  of Executive  Order  No.  226,  otherwise  known  as    the   "Om77z.b#s
J7?vesfme72f Coc7e o/J987, " and such incentives, benefits or privileges presently
provided  to   business   establishments     operating     within  the  Subic   Special
Economic  Zone  pursuant  to  Republic  Act  No.  7227,  as  amended,  otherwise
1£r\!own as the " Bases Comersion and Development Act Of 1992 " ., a:nd
(k)      Any  foreign  investor who  establishes a business enterprise within
the  ISEZ  and  maintains  capital  investment  of not  less  Seventy-five  thousand
United  States  Dollars  (US$75,000)  shall  be  granted,  along  with  the  foreign
investor's spouse, dependents and unmarried children below twenty-one years of
age, a permanent resident status within the ISEZ.
Such foreign investor, spouse, dependents and unmarried children below
the age of twenty-one (21) years shall have freedom of ingress and egress in the
ISEZ  without  any  need  of  any   special   authorization  from  the  Bureau  of
Immigration.
SEC.  5.    Isabela  Special  Economic  Zone  Authority.  -Sulj]ect to the
concurrence of the local government units that will be affected by the creation of
the ISEZ, there is hereby created a body coaporate to be known as the Isabela
Special  Economic  Zone  Authority,   hereinafter  referred  to  as  the  Authority,
which shall manage and operate the ISEZ, in accordance with this Act.   It shall
be  organized within one hundred eighty (180) days after the effectivity of this
Act.


SEC.  6.    Prj.#cz.p¢/  OL+orce.  -  The  Authority  shall  maintain  its  principal
office  in the Municipality of Echague, Province of Isabela, but it may establish
branches  and  agencies  within the Philippines  and abroad as may be necessary
for the proper conduct of its business.
SEC. 7.   Powers  and Functions  Of the Authority. -The ALu+horky sheLIl
have the following functions:
(a)      Operate,   administer,   and   manage   the   ISEZ   according   to   the
principles and provisions set forth in this Act;
(b)      Register,   regulate   and   supervise   the   enterprises   in   the   ISEZ
in an efficient and decentralized manner, subject to existing laws;
(c)      Regulate     and     undertake     the    establishment,     operation    and
maintenance   of   utilities,    other   services   and   infrastructure   in   the   ISEZ
such as heat,  light and power, water supply, telecommunications, transport, toll
roads and bridges, port services, and fix just, reasonable and competitive rates,
fares, charges and prices therefor;
(d)      Construct,  acquire, own, lease, operate, and maintain on its own or
through contracts,  franchise,  licenses,  bulk purchase  from the private  sector or
permits under any of the schemes allowed in RA 6957, otherwise known as the
"Bwz./c7-Operczfe-rrcz77s/er fczw, " as amended, or j oint venture, adequate facilities
and infrastructure required or needed for the operation and development of the
ISEZ, in coordination with appropriate national and local governlnent authorities
and in conformity with applicable laws;


(e)      To undertake all public infrastructure and utility projects within the
ISEZ and as provided for in this Act and to contract foreign loans and grants in
accordance with existing laws;
(I)       Operate on its own, either directly or through a subsidiary entity, or
license  to  other  tourism  related  activities,  including  games,  amusements  and
recreational and sports facilities to provide, in cooperation with the Department
of Tourism,  incentives to tourism-related businesses operating within the ISEZ
which include duty-free buying privileges for non-resident visitors;
(g)      Protect,  preserve,  maintain  and  develop,  among  others, the virgin
forests,   beaches,   coral  and  coral  reefs  and  minerals  and  mineral  deposits,
including  precious  metals  within  the  ISEZ.    For  this  puapose,  the  rules  and
regulations of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and other
government agencies  involved in the  above  functions  shall be  implemented by
the ISEZ including the issuance of environmental clearance certificates, patents
and  leasehold  rights  over  government  lands  and  mining,  drilling  and  timber
licenses;
(h)      Acquire  private  real  properties  or rights thereon for infrastructure
and other development projects, secure rights-of-way which are needed for said
projects  and  the  settlement  of  claims  for  payment,  without  further  need  of
conducting   feasibility   studies,   information   campaign,   engineering   surveys,
project  cost  estimates  as  required  by  existing  laws  and  regulations  pertinent
thereto;


(i)       Create,  operate or contract to operate such agencies and functional
units or offices of the Authority, as it may deem necessary;
0)       Adopt,  alter and use a corporate  seal;  make contracts,leases,  own
or otherwise dispose of personal or real property; sue and be sued; and otherwise
carry out its functions and duties as provided for in this Act;
(k)      Issue  working  visas,  renewable  every  two  (2)  years  to  foreign
executives  and  foreign  technicians  with  highly  specialized  skills  which  no
Filipino  possesses,  as  certified  by  the  Department  of Labor and Employment.
The  names  of the  foreigners  granted  permanent  resident  status  and  working
visas  by the  Authority  shall  be  reported to the Bureau  of Immigration within
thirty (30) days from such grant; and
(I)         Issue  rules  and regulations  consistent  with the provisions of this
Act as may be necessary to implement and accomplish the purposes, objectives,
and policies provided therein.
SEC.  8.   Cfo¢r¢cJer a/£fee Awffeo".fy. -The Authority shall be non-profit
and  shall  devote  the  use  of its  returns  from  capital  investments,  and  excess
revenues    from    its    operations,    for   the   development,    improvement,    and
maintenance   and   other   related   expenditures   of  the   Authority   to   pay   its
indebtedness and obligations and in furtherance and effective implementation of
the policy provided in this Act.   In consonance thereto, the Authority is hereby
declared  exempt  from  the  payment of all taxes,  duties,  fees,  imposts,  charges,
costs and service fees.


The foregoing exemptions may however be entirely or partially lifted by
the  President  of the Philippines upon the recommendation of the Secretary of
Finance,  not  earlier than  five  (5) years  from the  effectivity  of this Act,  if the
President  finds  the  Authority to  be  self-sustaining  and  financially  capable by
then to pay such taxes, customs duties, fees and other charges after providing for
debt  service  requirements  of the  Authority  and  of  its  projected  capital  and
operating expenditures.
SEC.  9.    Bo¢rd a/Dz.rec/ore.  -The  powers  of the Authority  shall  be
vested  in  and  exercised by a Board of Directors, hereinafter referred to as the
Board, which shall be composed of the following:
(a)       Chairperson, who shall at the same time be the administrator of the
Authority;
(b)      Vice-Chairperson,  who  shall  be  elected from among the members
of the Board;
(c)      Governor   of   the   Province    of   Isabela   or   a   duly-authorized
representative from the Provincial Government of Isabela;
(d)      Mayor of the Municipality ofEchague;
(e)      One representative from the domestic investors;
(I)       One representative from the foreign investors;
(g)      One representative from the workers working in the IsEZ; and
(h)      Two prominent citizens of the philippines of whom one shall be a
resident of the Province of Isabela; as members.


The  Governor or the  Govemor's  duly  authorized representative and the
Mayor of the Municipality of Echague shall serve as ex oj7j7?cz.o members of the
Board,  whose  terms  in  the  Board  shall  correspond  to  their  terms  as  elected
officials.
The chairperson-administrator and the members of the Board shall, except
for the  representatives  of the  investors  and workers  groups  and the ex oj+Jcz.o
members, be appointed by the President of the Philippines to serve for a term of
six  (6)  years,  unless  sooner  separated  from  service  due  to  death,  voluntary
resignation, or removal for cause. In case of death, resignation, or removal for
cause, their replacements shall serve only the unexpired portion of the respective
terms.  No person shall be appointed as a member of the Board unless the person
is  a Filipino  citizen,  of good moral character, of proven probity and integrity,
and a degree holder in any of the following fields: economics, business, public
administration,law, management,  or their equivalent, and with at least ten (10)
years  relevant  working  experience,  preferably  in  the  field  of management  or
public administration.
The  members  of the  Board,  except  the  er  o;#?cz.o  members,  shall  each
receive  a per  c7z.e77€  allowance  at  rates  to  be  determined by the Department of
Budget  and  Management,  in  accordance  with  existing  rules  and  regulations:
Provz.c7ec7,  feowever, That the total per diem allowance collected each month shall
not exceed the equivalent of four (4) meetings unless and until the President of
the  Philippines  has  fixed  a  higher  rate  for  the  per  diem  allowance  for  the


members  of the  Board,  such  allowance  shall  not be  more than Ten thousand
pesos (Phpl0,000.00) for every Board meeting.
S;EC.  10.   Powers  and Duties Of the Chairperson-Adndnistrator. ~ The
chairperson-administrator shall have the following powers and duties:
(a)  Direct  and  manage  the  affairs  of the  ISEZ  in  accordance  with the
policies of the Board;
(b) Establish the intemal organization of the ISEZ under such conditions
that the Board may prescribe;
(c)  Submit  an  annual budget and necessary supplemental budget to the
Board for its approval;
(d)  Submit within thirty (30) days after the close of each fiscal year an
annual report to the Board and such other reports as may be required;
(e)  Submit  to  the  Board  for  its  approval,  policies,  systems,  procedures,
rules, and regulations that are essential to the operation of the ISEZ;
(I) Recommend to the Board the remuneration and other emoluments of
its  officers  and  employees  in  accordance  with  existing  laws  on compensation
and position classification;
(g)  Create  a mechanism  in  coordination with relevant  agencies  for the
promotion   of  industrial  peace,  the  protection  of  the  environment,   and  the
advancement of the quality of life in the ISEZ; and
(h) Perform such other duties as may be assigned by the Board or which
are necessary or incidental to the office.


SEC.  11.   Org¢#J.z¢fJ.o# ¢#d P€rso##e/. -The Board shall provide for its
organization and staff to assist in the exercise of its functions and to provide for
an organization of the Authority officers and employees.  Upon recommendation
of   the    chairperson-administrator,   the   Board   shall    appoint   and   fix   the
remunerations   and   other   emoluments   of   its   officers   and   employees   in
accordance with existing laws on compensation and position classification.
The  Board  shall  have  exclusive and final authority to promote, transfer,
assign or reassign officers of the Authority, any provision of existing law to the
contrary notwithstanding. The chairperson- administrator may cany out removal
of such officers and employees.
All  positions   in  the  Authority  shall  be  governed  by  a  compensation,
position,   classification  system  and  qualification  standards  approved  by  the
chairperson-administrator   with   the   concurrence   of  the   Board   based   on   a
comprehensive job analysis and audit of actual duties and responsibilities.   The
compensation plan must be comparable with the prevailing compensation plans
in the  Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, the Clark Development Corporation,
the  Bases  Conversion  and  Development Authority  and the  private sector, and
subject to  the  periodic  review by  the Board no more than once every two (2)
years   without   prejudice   to   yearly   merit   reviews   or   increases   based   on
productivity and profitability.


The  officers  and  employees  of the  Authority,  including  its  appointive
members  of  the  Board,   shall  not  engage  directly  or  indirectly  in  partisan
activities nor take part in any election, except to vote.
No officer or employee of the Authority, subject to civil service laws and
regulations, shall be removed or suspended except for cause.
SEC.   12.    Rcvc#wc  Sfo¢r;.#g.  -No  taxes,  local  and national,  including
final  withholding taxes  on  dividends  to the parent company and branch profit
remittances to the head office of a business establishment, shall be imposed on
business  establishments  operating  within  the  ISEZ.    In  lieu  of all  local  and
national  taxes,  business  establishments  operating within the ISEZ shall pay to
the national government a final tax of eight per centum (8%) of their net taxable
income as determined in accordance with the provisions of the National Internal
Revenue Code, as amended, to be divided as follows:
(a)      Three per centum (3%) shall accrue to the national government;
(b)      Two per centum (2%) to the province oflsabela;
(c)       One per centum (1%) to be shared by the municipalities affected by
the declaration of the ISEZ in proportion to their income from business activities
within the ISEZ; and
(d)      Two per centum (2%) to the Authority:  Provz.c7ecJ, That the final tax
of eight per centun (8%) of net income may be increased by the President of the
Philippines  after  ten  (10)  years  from  the  effectivity  of this  Act,  upon  the
recommendation  of the  Secretaries  of Finance,  and  Trade  and  Industry,  the


Chairperson   of   the   National   Economic   Development   Authority   and   the
chairperson-administrator  of the  Authority:  Provz.c7ec7, /wrffeer,  That  in no case
shall the final tax to be imposed exceed fifteen per centum (15%) of net income.
In case of conflict between local and national tax laws on the one hand,
and the tax incentives herein granted on the other, the same shall be resolved in
favor of the grant of incentives.
SEC.  13.   Banking Rules and Regulations. -Existing bzLnking laws and
Bcz#gfro  SeJ7frc!/ J7g Pz./zZ)I.#czs  (BSP) rules and regulations shall apply on foreign
exchange and other current account trade and non-trade transactions, local and
foreign borrowings,  foreign  investments,  establishment  and  operation  of local
and  foreign banks,  foreign currency  deposit  units,  offshore  banking  units and
other financial institutions under the supervision of the BSP. The ISEZ may, in
coordination  with  the  BSP  and  the  DTI,  adopt  more  liberal  rules  to  attract
offshore banking, financial services, trust or trading institutions to operate in the
Z0ne.
SEC.  L4.    Labor  and  Management  Relations.  - Except  as  otherwise
provided  in  this  Act,  labor  and  management  relations  in  the  ISEZ  shall  be
governed  by  applicable  rules  and  regulations  under  the  Labor  Code  of the
Philippines, as amended.   Employees and personnel in the registered enterprises
shall receive salaries and benefits  and shall enjoy working conditions provided
under the  Labor Code and other relevant laws and issuances of the Philippine


government  and the DOLE.   The Authority shall allow the visitorial power of
the Secretary of Labor and Employment or the duly authorized representative.
SEC.15.   Jp§o Fa!c/a C/¢#sc. -Sections 30-41  of Republic Act No. 7916,
otherwise  known  as  the  "fpecz.cz/ Eco72o77cz.c Zo#e j4c/ o/ /99J, "  as  amended,
shall zZ?so/czc/o apply to the ISEZ.
SEC.  16.   C¢p7.f&/j.z¢/I.oH. -The Authority shall have an authorized capital
stock of Two billion pesos (P2,000,000,000.00) no par shares with a minimum
issue   of  Ten  pesos   (Plo.00)   each,   the  majority   shares   of  which  shall  be
subscribed  and paid  for by the national government and the local government
units   (LGUs)   comprising   the   ISEZ.      The   Board   may,   with   the   written
concurrence of the Secretary of Finance, sell shares, representing not more than
forty per centum (40%) of the capital stock of the Authority to the general public
under  such policy  as  the  Board  and  the  Secretary  of Finance  may determine.
The national government and the LGUs shall, in no case, own less than sixty per
centum (60%) of the total issued and outstanding capital of the Authority.
The amount necessary to subscribe and pay for the shares of the national
government to the capital stock of the Authority shall be included in the annual
General  Appropriations  Act.    For LGUs,  the  funds  shall  be  taken  from  their
internal revenue allotment and other local funds.
SEC.  17.   SzipcrtJz.sj.o#.  -The ISEZ shall be under the direct control and
supervision of the Philippine Economic Zone Authority for purposes  of policy
direction and coordination.


SEC;.18.   Relationship with the Regional Development Council. -The
Authority shall determine the development goals for ISEZ within the framework
of       national       development       plans,       policies       and       goals.              The
chairperson-administrator shall, upon approval by the Board,  submit the plans,
programs and projects to the Regional Development Council  for inclusion and
inputs to the overall regional development plan.
SEC.19.   Relationship with Local Government Units. -Excepit a;s ttyere;IrL
provided,  the LGUs comprising the ISEZ shall retain their basic autonomy and
identity.    In  case  of any  conflict  between  the  Authority  and the  Province  of
Isabela on matters  affecting the ISEZ other than defense and security matters,
the decision of the Authority prevails.
SEC.  20.    Interpretation  and Construction.  -The powers, a;uthohiies,
and functions that are vested in the Authority are  intended to enhance national
security,   encourage   self-sufficiency,   foster   meaningful   decentralization   of
governmental  functions  and  authority,  and  promote  an  efficient and  effective
collaboration among the Authority, the national government, and the LGUs. Any
inteapretation of this Act shall consider such intentions. In the event of conflict
of  interpretation   and   provided   the   intentions   cannot   be   harmonized,   the
provisions  of this Act shall be construed in favor of an interpretation that shall
protect national security.
SEC.   21.      4#d;./7.#g.   -   The   Commission   on   Audit   shall   appoint   a
representative who shall be a full-time auditor of the Authority and assign such


number  of personnel  as  may  be  necessary  to  assist  the  representative  in the
performance  of official  duties.    The  salaries  and  emoluments  of the  assigned
auditor  and  personnel  shall  be  in  accordance  with  pertinent  laws,  rules  and
regulations.
S;EC.  22.    Implenenting  Rules  and  Regulations.  - W.Tthin stlxty  (60)
days from effectivity of this Act, the Department of Trade and Industry shall, in
coordination with the Department of Finance  and the National Economic and
Development  Authority,   issue   the   necessary   rules   and   regulations   for  the
effective implementation of the provisions of this Act.
SEC. 23.   Sep¢r¢bi./I.fy CJ¢wsc. -If any provision of this Act shall be held
unconstitutional  or  invalid,  the  other  provisions  not  otherwise  affected  shall
remain in full force and effect.
SEC.  24.   Repe¢/i.Hg C/¢wsc.  -All laws, executive orders and issuances,
or  any  part  thereof,  which  are  inconsistent  herewith  are  hereby  repealed  or
amended accordingly.
SEC. 25.   EJ7c: cfz.t;rty. -This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Oj7j7}cz.cr/ Gczze#e or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,