Zz REPRESS

ES
&
>” RECEIVED
Republic of the Philippines Fo ic 0 2 2079

OATE:
TIME.

(

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Batasan Hills, Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. Se

Introduced by
HON. YEDDA MARIE K. ROMUALDEZ
and
HON. FERDINAND MARTIN G. ROMUALDEZ

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Eastern Visayas is located at the very heart of the Philippines, with the
islands of Samar and Leyte serving as island bridges between the country’s
northem island of Luzon and the southern region of Mindanao. One of the most
ecologically diverse regions of the country, the three islands of Samar, Leyte,
and Biliran are blessed with land, mineral, energy, and marine
resources, making it favorable for agricultural, fishery, and industrial potentials.
Its geothermal resources have also been tapped, producing electricity for the
national power grid. Its coconut, abaca, and other agricultural produce have
contributed toward increasing the national economic supply. But in spite of its
immense potentials and vast resources, Eastern Visayas remains one of the
poorest regions in the country today.

In 2013, Typhoon Haiyan, one of the strongest typhoons in recorded
human history, flattened parts of Eastern Visayas, leaving behind a trail of
devastation that has tragically resulted in loss of lives, livelihood, and
Property. But even as it rises from the typhoon, the region continues to be
Caught up in the vicious cycle of poverty.

Even before Typhoon Haiyan struck, the incidence of poverty has
already been worsening. While the nation’s overall economic situation has been
improving on the average, poverty in the region worsened from 2006 to 2012. In
2014, poverty incidence was at 54.9 percent; more than half of the region's
population of 4.10 million is now extremely poor and unable to eam the
minimum amount necessary to address their basic needs.



The recent typhoon has aggravated this already deplorable situation,
with the poor becoming desperately poorer. Following the recent latest Family
Income and Expenditure Survey (FIES) conducted in 2015, four of the six
Provinces in Eastern Visayas are among the country’s top twenty poorest
Provinces Leyte (ranked 17 at 46.7% poverty incidence), Western Samar
(ranked 14" at 49.5%), Eastern Samar (ranked 11" at 50%) and Northern
‘Samar (ranked 4" at 61.6%).

Our post-Haiyan situation has already revealed the vulnerability of the
Poor to long-term poverty as a result of major natural disasters. This is
particularly the case for the poor residing in Eastern Visayas. This vulnerability
to poverty arises because many of the poor are living just above the poverty
line and mainly rely on income from agriculture. Income inequality, especially
in Eastern Visayas is very high. Incomes of the poor are low and they have
minimal-savings to provide a butter from the disaster. Remittances will be an
important part of families coping strategies, however, the poorest have lower
access to remittances compared to the better off families.

Given this situation in Eastern Visayas, there is a need to establish an
effective institutional mechanism to be exercised through a unified responsive
agency. This will address the need for a coordinated and integrated approach
in the formulation and implementation of the plans, programs and projects
geared towards economic growth and development in the region, including the
establishment, among others, of special economic zones and ‘support of the
required social innovations.

This measure seeks to enact the creation of the Eastern Visayas
Development Authority, a proposed development agency mandated to
Promote, coordinate and facilitate the active and extensive participation of all
Sectors to effect the socioeconomic development of Eastern Visayas.

By providing an integrated and coordinated direction to the agricultural,
industrial, economic and social development, EVDA will serve as the lead
agency tasked to steer the sound and balanced industrial, economic and social
growth of Eastern Visayas and carry on with the speedy rehabilitation in the
aftermath of typhoon Haiyan. To this end, EVDA will craft and implement
Programs and projects that will increase trade, tourism and investments in the
region, encourage private enterprise and advance efforts towards progress and
development

Once the promise of a resilient economy is fulfilled, the right economic
and social conditions will be realized - one that will provide jobs to the people,
especially those in rural areas, increase their productivity and their individual
and family income, and thereby improve the level and quality of their living
conditions.


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

Rep. YEDDA MARIE K. ROMUALDEZ
Representative, Jhgog Sinirangan

INANI G. ROMUALDEZ
ntative, First District of Leyte


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Batasan Hills, Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 1155

—

Introduced by
HON. YEDDA MARIE K. ROMUALDEZ
and
HON. FERDINAND MARTIN G. ROMUALDEZ

—————EE——————

AN ACT CREATING THE EASTERN VISAYAS DEVELOPMENT
AUTHORITY (EVDA), DEFINING ITS POWERS AND FUNCTIONS,
PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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

Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Eastern
Visayas Development Authority (EVDA) Act of 2019”.

Section 2. Declaration of Policy. — \t is hereby declared the policy of
the State to promote and accelerate the sound and balanced industrial,
economic and social growth of Eastern Visayas and ensure its speedy
rehabilitation in the aftermath of typhoon Haiyan by increasing its trade, tourism
and investments, encouraging private enterprise and advancing efforts towards
progress and development within the context of national plans and policies in
order to provide jobs to the people, especially those in rural areas, increase

*


COVane wn

10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32

their productivity and their individual and family income, and thereby improve
the level and quality of their living conditions.

Towards this end, an effective institutional mechanism to be exercised
through a unified responsive agency shall be established in order to address
the need for a coordinated and integrated approach in the formulation and
implementation of the plans, programs and projects geared towards economic
growth and development in the region, the establishment, among others, of
special economic zones and in support of the required social innovations.

Section 3. The Authority. - The Eastern Visayas Development
Authority, hereinafter referred to as the Authority, is hereby created, which shall
Promote, coordinate and facilitate the active and extensive participation of all
sectors to effect the socioeconomic development of Eastern Visayas.

Section 4. Coverage - The Authority shall cover all the provinces of
Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, (Western) Samar, Leyte, Biliran and Southern
Leyte, the independent city of Ormoc and the highly urbanized city of Tacloban.

Section 5. Main Office - The Authority shall have its main office in
Tacloban City. It may establish other satelite offices in Metro Manila and in
other provinces within Eastern Visayas, if necessary, to achieve the objectives
of this Act. The Authority shall also have a term of fifty (50) years from the
effectivity of its Act and renewable for the same period unless otherwise
provided by law.

Section 6. Purpose — The Authority shall have the following purposes
and objectives:

(a) To promote the development of Eastern Visayas by initiating and/or
undertaking, by itself or otherwise, development and/or business
projects of corporate, economic nature whether in agriculture, power,


infrastructure, energy, public utilities, land development, manufacturing,
exploration and/or utilization of natural resources and other fields or
Projects;

(b) To integrate government and private sector efforts and resources for a
planned sustainable development and balanced growth of Eastern
Visayas, as proposed in the post-Haiyan rehabilitation plan and other
relevant development plans, programs and projects, through the
combined and harmonized pursuit of industrial, economic and social
objectives on a self-sustaining basis;

(©) To facilitate investments in any field as would enhance the economic
development of the region;

(d) To provide a model for the full implementation of comprehensive
regional industrialization and agricultural modernization policy.

Section 7. Powers and Functions of the Authority. — In the exercise
of those activities, which specific to Eastern Visayas in scope, intent and nature,
the Authority shall have the following powers and functions:

(a) Formulate an integrated development framework for Eastern Visayas
that is consistent with the peace and development initiatives of the
national government, as far as practicable;

(b) Provide strategic direction for the long-term economic development
Eastern Visayas;

(c) Integrate, prioritize, program and implement, whenever allowed and
authorized by applicable laws, specific programs, activities and projects
within Eastern Visayas, including Official Development Assistance


(ODA) projects, subject to such limitations prescribed by existing laws,
rules and regulations;

(d) 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, and
infrastructure, environmental, tourism and technological programs and
Projects soliciting or requiring direct or indirect help from or through the
national government or any of its instrumentalities;

(e) Advocate to the constituents of Eastern Visayas, their elected
representatives in Congress and the national government, national
Policies that will foster the integrated and balanced development of
Eastern Visayas;

(f) Promote and facilitate investments in any field that would enhance the
socioeconomic development of Eastern Visayas and uplift the living
standards of the people and their socio-political activities in close
coordination with agencies primarily mandated to undertake such
functions;

(g) Explore sources for financing priority programs, projects and activities
that are critical to the development of Eastern Visayas;

(h) Coordinate and facilitate the extension of necessary planning,
management and technical assistance to prospective and existing
investors, complementary and in support of agencies primarily
mandated to execute such functions;

()) Establish a comprehensive and integrated database on Eastern Visayas
to support planning and decision making;


30
31
32

@ Perform prior screening functions, as a condition precedent to the
approval by any national, provincial or municipal government agency, of
any permit, license, lease, franchise or concession for the operation of
any business or the exploitation, development or utilization of natural
resources within the Eastern Visayas;

(k) Negotiate and enter into management and/or consulting contracts with
local and/or foreign management consulting firms for the management
of the Authority and/or the planning and implementation of agricultural,
tourism and industrial development projects in Eastern Visayas;

(I) Avail of the expertise of any particular employee, technician, or group of
Persons in any bureau, office or department of the national government
whose services are deemed urgently needed for the attainment of the
goals of the Authority, with the consent and approval of the department
head concerned;

(m)Conduct scientific experiments, investigation and research to discover
economical and practical methods of increasing agricultural and
industrial production and other related endeavors;

(n) Encourage and organize by arranging appropriate financing schemes,
cooperative ventures in agriculture, agri-business, industry, tourism and

commerce;

(0) Monitor, evaluate and formulate recommendations in the
implementation of Eastem Visayas-wide development programs,
activities and projects;

(p) Establish appropriate mechanisms to ensure the timely implementation
of Eastern Visayas-wide projects, whenever necessary, as far as
practicable, including, but not limited to, public-private partnership;


(q) Review and recommend for approval by the National Economic and
Development Authority (NEDA) Board such Easter Visayas-wide
Programs, projects, and plans by the national government and donor
agencies subject to existing laws, rules ad regulations;

() Recommend the creation and regulate, supervise and develop special
‘economic zones according to the principles and provisions set forth in
this Act;

(8) Interface with foreign assistance agencies and international aid
‘organizations, in coordination with NEDA and other relevant national
government agencies, for the purposes of obtaining financing support,
grants and donations in support of its programs and projects;

(t) 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 ODA, to be used
in the development of Eastern Visayas, subject to existing laws, rules
and regulations;

(u) 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

(W) Discharge other functions that may be deemed necessary or as may be
provided by law.

In the discharge of its functions, the Authority shall ensure appropriate
consultation and coordination with the Regional Development Council Eastern
Visayas (RDC-EV) and other local development councils as well as with
national government agencies, local government units, accredited people's


COVaneone

24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32

organizations, non-government organizations and the private sector operating
in Eastern Visayas.

The Authority, through the EVDA Chairperson, shall submit to the
President and both Houses of Congress annual reports on its accomplishments
and activities.

Section 8. Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer.— The EVDA
Chairperson shall be appointed by the President of the Philippines with the rank
of Undersecretary and shall act as the Chief Executive Officer. He or she shall
serve a term of six (6) years from the date of his or her appointment unless
removed for cause. Provided, That no person shall be appointed as
Chairperson unless he or she is a Filipino citizen, of good moral character, of
Proven probity and integrity and a holder of a degree in any of the following
fields: economics, business, public administration, law, management or their
equivalent and have at least five (5) years relevant experience preferably in the
field of management or public administration: Provided, further, That he or she
shall be a resident of Eastern Visayas for at least (5) years before the
appointment: Provided, finally, that he or she shall also be an ex officio member
of the NEDA Board and the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone
Authority (TIEZA) Board.

The Chairperson shall have the following duties and functions:

(a) Call and preside meetings of the Board and see to it that the policies,
programs and rules and regulations are implemented properly;

(b) Call on formidable players in the formulation and implementation of a
comprehensive and integrated development plan for Eastern Visayas,
investment programs and the preparation of investment programming
priorities, annual reports and other pertinent documents approved by the
Authority;

10


Ce oaVvaueone

(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;

(qd) Advocate the Authority's work 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 Eastern Visayas-
wide programs, projects and activities;

(g) Endorse to the Board all policy recommendations, plans and programs
for approval;

(h) 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 for
Purpose that will realize the functions of the Authority;

() Supervise administrative operations including disbursement of any fund
of the Authority, subject to the usual accounting and auditing
procedures, and submit reports thereon;

@ Execute and administer the policies and measures approved by the
Board;

(k) 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 Code;


(l) Represent the Authority in all dealings with other offices, agencies, and
instrumentalities of the government and with all persons and entities,
Public or private;

(m)Sign agreements and/or contracts on behalf of the Authority, including
those for expert and consultant services and other reports of
accountabilities emanating from the Authority; and

(n) Perform such other functions that the Board may direct to carry out the
provisions of this Act.

Section 9. Deputy Chairperson. - The EVDA Chairperson shall be
assisted by one Deputy Chairperson, who shall be appointed by the President
of the Philippines with the rank of Assistant Secretary upon the
recommendation of the EVDA Chairperson. The Deputy Chairperson shall have
the same qualifications as the Chairperson and shall perform such duties and
functions as may be assigned by the Chairperson or as provided for by law.

Section 10. Executive Director.— An Executive Director shall be
appointed by the President of the Philippines upon recommendation by the
Chairperson: Provided, That no person shall be appointed as Executive unless
he or she is a Filipino citizen, of good moral character, of proven probity and
integrity and a holder of a degree in any of the following fields: economics,
business, public administration, law, management or their equivalent and have
at least five (5) years relevant experience in said fields: Provided, further, That
he or she shall be a resident of Eastern Visayas five (5) years prior to his or her
appointment and has the requisite eligibiliies for third level career service
Position pursuant to the career executive rank system: Provided, finally, that he
or she shall reside in Eastern Visayas during his or her incumbency.

12


15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30

32

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.

Notwithstanding the foregoing and the other provisions of this section,
the management of the Authority may by Board Resolution contract the
services of a firm of professional managers to manage the affairs of the
Authority.

Section 11. Board of Directors. — The Authority's overall directions and
thrusts shall be provided and approved, unless provided otherwise in this Act,
by the EVDA Board of directors, hereinafter referred to as the Board. It shall be
composed of the following members:

(a) The EVDA Chairperson as head;

(b) The Regional Development Council of Eastern Visayas (RDC-EV)
Chairperson;

(c) Senator, upon designation by the Senate President, who shall be an ex
officio member;

(d) Member of the House of Representatives, upon designation by the
District Representatives of the legislative districts comprising Eastern
Visayas, who shall be an ex officio member;

(@) The Regional President of the League of Municipalities-Eastern Visayas
Chapter;

(f) The three (3) Private Sector Representatives to be appointed by the
President, upon the recommendation of the Board comprising of one (1)

representative each from the:

13


we oaVaneune

10

12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31

1. Eastern Visayas business sector;
2. Eastern Visayas academic sector; and
3. Eastern Visayas non-government sector.

The term of the three (3) representatives from the private sector shall be
six (6) years: Provided, That 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.
Provided, further, That 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.

Members of the Board shall received a per diem of not more than five
thousand pesos (P5,000.00) for every board meeting: Provided, however, That
the per diem collected per month does not exceed the equivalent of four (4)
meetings: Provided, further, That the amount of per diem for every Board
meeting may be increased by the President but such amount shall not be
increased within two (2) years its last increase.

The term of ex officio members including the Senator and the Member
of the House of Representatives shall correspond to their term as elected
officials.

The Board shall have the following functions:

(a) Provide direction and guidance for the Authority's work and thrusts for
Eastern Visayas;

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

14


COVaunewone

11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
2
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32

(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;

(d) Explore sources for financing of priority Eastern Visayas-wide
development plans, programs, projects and activities;

(e) Create committees/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 meetings; and

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

Section 12. Executive Committee. — The Board shall constitute an
Executive Committee 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.

The following shall comprise the Executive Committee:

(a) The EVDA Chairperson as head;

(b) The RDC EV Chairperson;

(c) The Private Sector Representative from the business sector;

(d) The Private Sector Representative from the academic sector;

(€) The Private Sector Representative from the non-government sector.

1s


Section 14. EVDA Advisory Council. — There is hereby constituted an
EVDA Advisory Committee to be composed of the following:

(a) EVDA Chairperson as head;

(b) The RDC EV Chairperson;

(©) The District Representatives of the legislative districts comprising
Eastern Visayas;

(d) The Provincial Governors of the provinces comprising Eastern Visaya:

(e) The City Mayors of the independent cities in Eastern Visayas;

() The Regional Directors of the national line agencies with regional offices
in Eastern Visayas.

The EVDA Advisory Council shall convene at least once every six (6)
months, or as often as necessary, upon the call of the EDVA Chairperson,
advise or be consulted by the Authority on important matters related to Eastern
Visayas.

Section 14. Organizational Structure. ~ The Board of Directors, upon
the recommendation of the Chairperson shall determine the organizational
structuré, staffing pattern and pay scales of the Authority 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.

Section 15. Merit System. — All officials and employees of the EVDA
‘shall be selected and appointed on the basis of merit and fitness in accordance

16


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 will be established by the EVDA in
compliance with existing laws, rules and regulations.

Section 16. Appropriations. - There is hereby authorized to be
appropriated the sum of one billion pesos (P 1,000,000,000.00) to cover the
initial operating costs of the Authority to be charged against the unexpended
contingency funds of the Office of the President.

Thereafter, the amount needed for the operations and maintenance of
the Authority shall be provided in the General Appropriations Act: Provided,
That the operating expenses of the Authority should not exceed fourteen
percent (14%) of the annual appropriation: Provided further, That at least eight-
six percent (86%) of said annual appropriation shall be disbursed for the
programs, projects and activities of the Authority.

Section 17. Transfer of Post-Halyan Rehabilitation Funds. All
authority, control and administration of funds, equipment and properties
donated by foreign governments, foreign and local non-profit agencies and
foundations and private entities to the national government for the purpose of
the rehabilitation of areas in Eastern Visayas that were affected by typhoon
Haiyan as well as all other funds received and/or appropriated by the
Government of the Philippines for the same purpose are hereby transferred to
the Eastern Visayas Development Authority, which shall hereafter be the
administrator and have sole power of disposition and control over said funds,
in accordance with the provisions of this Act and/or until the purposes for which
the said funds had been donated are accomplished.

Section 18. Formulation of the Eastern Visayas Development
Master Plan. Upon its organization, the Authority shall formulate and report to

17


the President of the Philippines with the utmost expedition, but in no case longer
than one year, a master plan that will serve as the framework for the
accelerated and balanced development of Eastern Visayas in accordance with
the aims and purposes of this Act. Upon approval by the President of the
development master plan, he shall direct the Authority to implement them with
dispatch and efficiency.

The Authority shall also submit its development master plan to NEDA for
integration into the Medium-Term Philippine Development Plan and public
investment program.

Section 19. Administrative Supervision. The Authority shall be placed
under the direct supervision of the President of the Philippines.

Section 20. Interpretation. The powers, authorities and functions that
are vested in the Authority are intended to decentralize governmental functions.
and authority and promote an efficient and effective working relationship
between the Eastern Visayas Development Authority, the national government,
‘and the local government units.

Section 21. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The EVDA shall
adopt rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this Act within sixty
(60) days from the date of its approval.

Section 22. Repealing 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.

Section 23. 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.

18


1 Section 24. Effectivity.— This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days
2 following completion of its publication in the Official Gazette and in at least two
3 (2) newspapers of general circulation.

19