Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

eu By
House pLNo.__ 9578

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVES HENEDINA RAZON-ABAD, ARNULFO P.
FUENTEBELLA AND KIMI $. COJUANGCO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill aims to strengthen the National Electrification Administration (NEA) to
carry its mandate of total clectrification of all puroks and barangays through the electric
cooperatives,

Access to electricity service has been provided to nine (9) million consumer
connections in the rural areas in response to the (otal electrification progeam of the
government through the NEA. The beneficiaries represent half of the Philippine population
living in arcas being served by the 119 electtic cooperatives (ECs) nationwide.

In addition to its powers under Presidential Decree No, 269, as amended by
Presidential Decree No. 1645, NEA is mandated under Section 58 of Republic Act No. 9136,
otherwise known as the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) of 2001 to:

a) Prepare electric cooperatives in operating and competing under the deregulated
electric market in an environment of open access and retail wheeling;

b) Strengthen the technical capability and financial viability of rural electric
cooperatives; and

©) Review and upgrade regulatory policies with a view to enhancing the viability of
rural electric cooperatives as electric utilities.

It is for this reason that this bill is proposed to ensure that the NEA has adequate
powers to protect the investments in the ECs and provide them with better options to ensure
the continued delivery of adequate and reliable electric service. The bill seeks to establish a
framework for introducing structural reforms in the National Electrification Administration
and the electric cooperatives:

‘The immediate passage of the bill is earnestly sought.

. FUENTEBELLA
Camarines Sur



Republic 0° -he Philippines
HOUSE Of REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTR CONGRESS

Second Regular Sesign.
9078

HOUSE BILL NO. __.

JIN-ABAL, .v'NULFO ?.,
aco

AN ACT
STRENGTHENING THE NATIONAL ELECTRIFICATION ADMINISTRATION,
AMENDING FOR TILE PURPOSE PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 269
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE “NATIONAL ELECTIFICATION

ADMINISTRATION DECREE”
Be it cnacted by the Senate and House of Kepresentatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:
1 CUAPTER L- POLICY AND DEFLNITIONS

SECTION 1, ‘This Act shall be kuowa as the “National Electrification Administration

3 Reform Act of 2011."

4 SEC. 2. Section 2 of Presidential Decree No. 265, us urnended, is hereby further
5 amended. 1 read as follows:

8 IV 1S HEREBY DECLARED THE POLICY OF THE STATE Ti

7 (A)PROMOTE THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN THE RURAL,

8 AREAS THROUGH RURAL ELECTRIFICATION; ANID

9 (BJ)EMPOWER AND ENABLE LLECTRIC COOPERATIVES TO COPE

a WITH THE CHANGES BROUGHT ABOUT BY THE

ul RESTRUCTURING OF THE ELECTRIC POWER INDUSTRY

PURSUANT TO TIE ELECTRIC FOWER INDUSTRY REFORM ACT

‘3 OF 2001

ey SEC. 3. A new section is hereby inserted to be desiguted as Section 2-A, to read as
follows:

16 SEC. 2A. SCOPE

ACT SHALL.
17 FRAMEWORK FOR INTRODUCING STRUCTURAL REFORMS IN THE

‘ABLISH A



1 NATIONAL ELECTRIFICATION ADMINISTRATION AND THE
ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES.
SEC. 4, Five new paragraphs, to be designated as Paragraphs (s), (1), (u), (¥) and (96)

me

4 ace hereby inserted under Section 3 of Presidential Decree No. 269, as amended. to read ax

3 follows:

6 XXX XXX XXX

7 (s) CDA SHALL REFER TO THE COOPERATIVE DEVELOPMENT
8 AUTHORITY CREATED UNDER REPUBLIC ACT NO. 6959, AS
9 AMENDED;

10 () DOE SHALL REFER TO THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
u CREATED UNDER REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7638;

12 (u) ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE SHALL REFER TO AN ELECTRIC
13 DISTRIBUTION UTILITY ORGANIZED AND REGISTERED
4 PURSUANT TO PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 269, REPUBLIC ACT
15 NO. 9520, AND OTHER RELATED LAWS,

(6 (s) EPIRA SHALL REFER TO REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9136 OR THE
17 ELECTRIC POWER INDUSTRY REFORM ACT OF 2001; AND

Ww (W)ERC SHALL REFER TO THE ENERGY REGULATORY
19 COMMISSION CREATED UNDER REPUBLIC AGT NO. 9156,

CHAPTER Il - THE NATIONAL ELECTRIFICATION ADMENISTRA TION
SEC. 5. Section 4 of Presidentist Decree No. 269, as amended, is hereby turther
amended to read as follows:
SEC. 4, POWERS AND FUNCTIONS OF THE NATIONAL

4 ELECTRIFICATION ADMINISTRATION. — OQ STRENGTHEN THE
25 ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES TO THE CHANGES INTRODUCED BY
26 EPIRA, THE NATIONAL ELECTRIFICATION ADMINISTRATION
v7 SHALL:

28 (a) SUPPORT THE CONVERSION OF EXISTING ELECTRIC
29 COOPERATIVES TO STOCK COOPERATIVES TO BE DULY
30 REGISTERED WITH THE CDA OR STOCK CORPORATION TO BE

31 DULY REGISTERED WITii THE SECURITINS ANDY 3XCHANGE
32 COMMISSION;

33 (>) SUPERVISE . THE OPERATIONS OF ALL ELECTRIC
34 COOPERATIVES;

v



v

5

(c) EXERCISE STEP-IN RIGHTS AS HEREIN DEFINED;

(a) PROVIDE FINANCIAL AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO
ELECTiiC COOPERATIVES,

(e) PURSUE ELECTRIFICATION PROGRAMS THROUGH THE
ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES;

(f) ENJOY EXEMPTION FROM ALL TAXES, DUTIES, FEES, IMPOSTS
AND OTHER CHARGES,

{g) DEVOTE ALL RETURNS FROM ITS CAPITAL INVESTMENT TO
ATTAIN THE OBJECTIVES OF THIS ACT,

(h) RESTRUCTURE AILING ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES W1TH THE
END (N VIEW OF MAKING THEM ECONOMICALLY AND
FINANCIALLY VIABLE.,

(i) DEVELOP, SET, AND ENFORCE TECHNICAL AND FINANCIAL
COMPLIANCE STANDARDS FOR THE EFFICIENT OPERATION OF
ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES SUCH AS THE OBSERVANCE OF
GOVERNMENT PROCUREMENT PROCEDURE, INCLUDING
TRANSPARENT AND COMPETITIVE BIDDING AND ENFORCED
THROUGH A MECHANISM UF INCENTIVES TO COMPLYING
ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES AND DISINCENTIVES TO NON-
COMPLYING ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES,

G) IMPOSE = ADMINISTRATIVE = PENALTIES) AN), = WHEN
WARRANTED, FILE CRIMINAL CASES AGAINST THOSE WHO
VIOLATE THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT AND ITS
IMPLEMENTING RULi:S,

(k) SERVE AS GUARANTOR TO QUALIFIED ELECTRIC
COOPERATIVES FOR THEIR TRANSACTIONS FOR THE
PURCHASE OF ELECTRICITY SUCH AS CO-SIGNING IN
ELECTRIC SALES AGRFEMENTS TO COMPLYING ELECTRIC
COOPERATIVES.

()) GRANT LOANS TO ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES, FOR THE
CONSTRUCTION OR ACQUISITION. OPERATION = AND
MAINTENANCE OF TRANSMISSION AND DiS!RIBUTION
FACILITIES AND ALL RELATED PROPERTIES, EQUIPMENT,
MACHINERY, FIXTURES, AND MATERIALS FOR THE PURPOSF.



1 OF SUPPLYING AREA COVERAGE SERVICE, AND THEREAFTER
2 TO GRANT LOANS FOR THE RESTORATION, IMPROVEMENT OR
ENLARGEMENT OF SUCH FACILITIES OR FOR SUCH OTHER
4 PURPOSES AS MAY BE DEEMED NECESSARY,

5 (m)BORROW FUNDS FROM ANY SOURCE, PRIVATE OR
6 GOVERNMENT, FOREIGN OR DOMESTIC, AND TO SECURE THE
7 LENDERS THEREOF BY PLEDGING, SHARING OR
8 SUBORDINATING ONE OR MORE OF THE NEA’S OWN LOAN
9
0

SECURITIES, AND.
(n) EXERCISE SUCH POWERS AND DO SUCH THINGS AS MAY BE
n NECESSARY TO CARRY OUT THE BUSINUSS AND PURPOSES OF

2 WHICH THE NEA WAS ESTABLISHED, OR WHICH FROM TIME
15 TO TIME MAY BE DECLARED BY THE BOARD OF
ny ADMINISTRATORS AS NECESSARY, USEFUL, INCIDENTAL OR
ls AUXILIARY TO ACCOMPLISH SUCH PURPOSES; AND
16 GENERALLY, TO EXERCISE ALL THE POWERS OF A
17 CORPORATION UNDER THE CORPORATION LAW INSOFAR AS
1s THEY ARE NOT INCONSISTENT WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THIS
19 ACT,

20 SEC. 6, A new section, to be designated as Section 4A, is hereby inserted, to
21 follows:

2 SEC. 4A. SUPERVISORY POWERS OF THE NATIONAL.
23 ELECTRIFICATION ADMINISTRATION OVER ELECTRIC
aI COOPFRATIFFS - \N THE EXERCISE OF ITS POWER OF
25 SUPERVISION OVER ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES, NEA SHALL HAVE
26 TLE FOLLOWING POWERS:

27 {a) ISSUE ORDERS, RULES AND REGULATIONS, MOTU PROPRIO OR
28 UPON PETITION OF THIRD PARTIES, TO CONDUCT
29 INVESTIGATIONS, REFERFNDA AND OTHER SIMILAR ACTIONS
30 TN ALL MATTERS AFFECTING THE ELECTRIC COOPERATIVFS
31 AND.

32 (b) ISSUE PREVENTIVE AND/CR DISCHELINARY MF ASURES,
33 INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED, TO J'S"CNSION AND/Ok

34 REMOVAL AND REPLACEMENT OF ANY OF 4LL OF THE
4


follows:

MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, OFFICERS OR
EMPLOYEES OF THE ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, AS THE NEA
MAY DEEM FIT AND NECESSARY AND ¥O TAKE ANY OTHER
REMEDIAL MEASURES AS THE LAW OR ANY AGREEMENT OR
ARRANGEMENT WITH NEA MAY PROVIDE, TO ATTAIN THE
OBJECTIVES OF THIS ACT.
THE NEA SHALL, IN THE EXERCISE OF ITS SUPERVISORY
AND DISCIPLINARY POWERS UNDER THIS ACT, STRICTLY
OBSERVE DUE PROCESS.
SEC. 7. A new section, 0 be designated as Section 4-B, is hereby inserted, to read ay

SEC, 4B. SYEP-IN RIGHTS IN CASES OF AILING
COOPERATIVES. - THE NEA SHALL IMMEDIATELY STEP-IN AND
TAKE OVER FROM ITS BOARD THE OPERATIONS OF ANY ATLING
ELRCTRIC COOPERATIVE. WITHIN A REASONABLE PERIOD AFTER
TAKE-OVER, THE NEA MAY CONVERT THE AILING COOPERATIVE
TO EITHER A STOCK COOPERATIVE REGISTERED WITH THE CDA
OR A STOCK CORPORATION REGISTERED WITH THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION.

THE NEA SHALL, IN DETERMINING THE PROPRIETY OF THE
CONVERSION, BF GUIDED BY THE ABILITY TO PAY Of THE
MEMBER-CONSUMERS OF SAID ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE FOR
THEIR SHARES IN THE STOCK COOPERATIVE OR STOCK
CORPORATION

THE NEA MAY APPOINT OR ASSIGN THIRD PERSONS TG
THE BOARD OF THE ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE UNTIL THE NEA
DECIDES THAT THE ELECTION OF A NEW BOARD OF DIRECTORS
TO MANAGE THE ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE IS NECESSARY. THE
NEA MAY CREATE A MANAGEMENT TEAM FOR THE PURPOSE.

THE NEA SHALL, IN THE EXERCISE OF ITS STEP-IN RIGHTS
UNDER THIS ACT, STRICTLY OBSERVE DUE PROCESS. THE STEP-
IN RIGHTS MAY ONLY BE EXERCISED BY THE NEA IN CASE OF
FAILURE OF THE ELECTAIC COOPERATIVE TO MEET
OPERATIONAL AND FINANCIAL STANDARDS SET BY THE NEA OR

5


rp

IN OTHER ANALAGOUS INSTANCES SET FORTH IN THE

TMPLEMENTING RULES AND REGULATIONS OF THIS ACT.

SEC. 8. A new section, to be designated as Section 4, is hereby inserted, to read as

follows:
SEC. 4C. INJUNCTION OR TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER

— NO INJUNCTION OR TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER SHALL

BE ISSUED AGAINST THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ANY ORDER,

RULING OX DECISION OF THE NEA, EXCEPT BY THE COURT OF

APPEALS, AND ONLY UPON THE POSTING OF A BOND SUFFICIENT

TO COVER THE LIABILITIES AND EXPENDITURES ARISING

DURING THE PENDENCY OF THE WRIT OR INJUNCTION OR

TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER: PROVIDED, THAT THE

INJUNCTION WILL ONLY BE FOR A PERIOD OF SIXTY (60) DAYS.

CHAPTER 1 — THE ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE
SEC. 9. A new section, to be designated as Section 26-/, is hereby inserted, to read
as follows:
SEC. 26-A. INDEPENDENCE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

AND OFFICERS OF ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES, ~ TO ENSURE. THE

LONG-TERM BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC VIABILITY OF ELECTRIC

COOPERATIVES, THE OPERATIONS AND STRATEGIC PLANNING OF

ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES SHALL, AS MUCH AS PRACTICABLE, BE

TNSULATED FROM LOCAL POLITICS.

TOWARDS . THIS END, NO PERSON SHALL BE
ELECTED/APPOLNTED AS AN OFFICER OR BE ELIGIBLE TO RUN AS
ABOARD MEMBER OF AN ELECTRIC COOP2RATIVE IF.

i) HE WAS A CANDIDATE IN THE LOCAL OR NATIONAL
ELECTIONS IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING THE APPOINTMENT OR
FILING OF CANDIDACY FOR THE BOARD, WHICH DISABILITY
SHALL SUBSIST FOR A PERIOD OF TWO YEARS COUNTED
FROM THE DATE OF THE ELECTION,

2) HE IS A RELATIVE UP TO THE FOURTH DEGREE BY AFFINITY
OR CONSANGUINITY OF AN INCUMBENT ELECTED {OR
APPOINTED] OFFICIAL OF GOVERNMENT; OR,



3) HE 1S ELECTED/APPOINTED TO A POSITION HIGHER THAN THE
LEVEL OF A BARANGAY CHAIRMAN,
SEC. 10. A new section, to be designated as Section 26-B, is hereby inserted,
as follows:

SEC. 26-B. FIT AND PROPER RULE. — TG ENSURE THAT THE
MANAGEMENT AND OPERATIONS OF ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES
ARE CARRIED OUf WITH DUE REGARD TO ITS ECONOMIC
VIABILITY, THE NEA SHALL PRESCRIBE, PASS UPON AND REVIEW
THE QUALIFICATIONS AND DISQUALIFICATIONS OF INDIVIDUALS
APPOINTED OR ELECTED TO ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES AND
DISQUALIFY THOSE FOUND UNFIT.

A CANDIDATE'S INTEGRITY, EXPERIENCE, EDUCATION,
COMPETENCE AND PROBITY SHALL BE CONSIDERED IN
DETERMINING WHETHER HE SHALL BE FIT AND PROPER TO
BECOME A DIRECTOR OR OFFICER OF THE ELECTRIC
COOPERATIVE

NEA MAY, AFTER DUE NOTICE TO THE BOARD OF
DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS OF THE ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE,
DISQUALIFY, SUSPEND OR REMOVE ANY DIRECTOR OR OFFICER,
WHO COMMITS ANY ACT WHICH RENDER HIM UNFIT FOR THE
POSITION
SEC. IL. Section 32 of Presidential Decree No. 269, as amended, is hereby

amended, to read as follows:

SEC. 32. REGISTRATION AS STOCK COOPERATIVES. - ALL
ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES MAY OPT TO REGISTER WITH THE CDA
AND SUCH REGISTRATION SHALL BE FOR THE SOLE PURFOSE OF
AVAILING THE TAX INCENTIVES CONT-uNED IN THE
COOPERATIVE CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES: PROVIDED, HOWEVER,
THAT ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES SHALL NEVERTHELESS COMPLY
WITH THE REPORTORIAL AND DOCUMENTARY REQUIREMENTS
OF THE CDA

ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES WHICH REGISTER WITH THE
CDA SHALL CONTINUE TO ENJOY THE BENEFITS UNDER THIS
ACT.

to read

further


1 EXISTING ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES MAY LIKEWISE OPT
2 TO REGISTER AS STOCK CORPORATIONS WITH THE SECURITIES
3 AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION: PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT
4 ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES REGISTERED WITH THE SECURITIES
5 AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION SHALL NO LONGER ENJOY THE
6 INCENTIVES CONTAINED UNDER THIS ACT.

7 DESPITE THE REGISTRATION OF THE ELECTRIC
& COOPERATIVES UNDER THE CDA OR CONVERSION INTO A STOCK.
9 CORPORATION, THE NEA SHALL. RETAIN ITS SUPERVISORY AND
0 DISCIPLINARY POWER OVER THE ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE OR
i) CORPORATION IN THE CONDUCT OF iTS OPERATION AS AN

12 ELECTRIC DISTRIBUTION UTILITY.

B SEC. 12. A new section, to be designated as Section 32-A, is hereby inserted, to reas

14 as follows,

18 SEC. 15-B. ROLE OF THE COOPERATIVE DEVELOPMENT

16 AUTHORITY OVER ELECTRIC COOPERATIVLS, — THE CDA SHALL

7 SERVE AS A REGISTRY OF ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES. THE

18 RESOLUTION OF INTRA-COOPER ATIVE DISPUTES INVOLVING THE

W OPERATIONS AND FINANCIALS OF ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES,

20 INCLUDING MANAGEMENT CONCERNS RELATED THERETO,

2 SHALL REMAIN WITH THE NEA.

2 SEC. 13. A new section, to be designated a5 Section 32-B, is hereby inserted to read
as follows:

24 SEC. 32-8. INCENTIVES OF ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES.

28 CONSISTENT WITH THE DECLARED POLICY OF THIS ACT,

26 ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES WHICH COMPLY WITH THE FINANCIAL

27 AND OPERATIONAL STANDARDS SET BY THE NEA SHALL ENJOY

28 THE FOLLOWING INCENTIVES

29 (a) TO BE ENTITLED YO CONGRESSIONAL ALLOCATIONS,

30 GRANTS, SUBSIDIARIES AND OTHER FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

3h FOR RURAL ELECTRIFICATION;

32 (b) TO AVAIL OF PREFERENTIAL RIGHTS GRANTED TO

33 COOPERATIVES UNDER REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7160 OTHERWISE



won

ae

4
ib
16
W7
18
9
20
21
22

23

KNOWN AS THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE, AND OTHER
RELATED LAWS; AND,

(c) TO RECEIVE, ALL SUBSIDIES, GRANTS, AND OTHER
ASSISTANCE WHICH SHALL FORM PART OF THE DONATED
CAPITAL AND FUNDS OF THE ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES, AND
AS SUCH, IT SHALL NOT BE SOLD, TRADED NOR BE. D:VIDED
(NTO SHARE HOLDINGS AT ANY TIME, THESE DONATED
CAPITAL/FUND SHALL BE APPRAISED AND VALUED FOR THE
SOLE PURPOSE OF DETERMINING THE EQUITY.
PARTICIPATION OF THE MEMBERS, PROVIDED, THAT IN CASE
OF DISSOLUTION/CONVERSION OF THE — ELECTRIC
COOPERATIVE, SAID DONATED CAPITAL SHALL BE SUBJECT
TO ESCHEAT.

AS A FURTHER INCENTIVE, THE NEA MAY PRIOTITIZE THE
GRANT OF INCENTIVES IN FAVOR OF ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES
THAT COMPLY WITH ITS MANDATES AND DIRECTIVES OR ARE
MANAGED EFFECTIVELY AND EFFICIENTLY.

CHAPTER IV — FINAL PROVISIONS:
SEC. 14. A new section, to be designated as Section 64-A, is hereby inserted,

as follows.

SEC. 64-A. RULES AND REGULATIONS. — WITHIN SIXTY (60)
DAYS FROM THE EFFECTIVITY OF THIS ACT, THE DOE SHALL, 1N
COORDINATION WITH THE NEA AND THE CDA, AND AFTER THE
CONDUCT OF PUBLIC HEARINGS, ISSUE SUCH RULES AND
REGULATIONS AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO IMPLEMENT THIS ACT.
SEC. 15. A new section, to be designated as Section 64-B, is hereby inserted,

as follows:

SEC. 64-B. PENALTIES. - ANY PERSON WHO WILLFULLY
VIOLATES ANY RULE OR REGULATIGNS PROMULGATED
PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY GRANTED IN THIS ACT SHALL,
UPON CONVICTION, BE PUNISHED BY A FINE NOT LESS THAN
FIFTY THOUSAND PESOS (P56,000.00) BUT NOT MORE THAN FIVE
HUNDRED THOUSAND PESOS (P500,000.00) OR BY IMPRISONMENT
OF NOT LESS THAN SLX (6) MONTHS BUT NOT MORE THAN ONE (1)

9

to read

to read


we

YEAR, OR BOTH, AT THE DISCRETION OF THE COURT: PROVIDED,
THAT IF THE VIOLATION IS COMMITTED BY A JURIDICAL
PERSON, THE PENALTY HEREIN SHALL BE IMPOSED UPON THE
OFFICIAL AND/OR EMPI.OYEE THEREOF RESPONSIBLE FOR THE
VIOLATION: PROVIDED, FURTHER, THAT IF THE VIOLATION IS
COMMITTED BY A GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL OR EMPLOYEE.
INCILUDING THOSE IN GOVERNMENT-OWNED OR CONTROLLED
CORPORATIONS, HE SHALE, IN ADDITION YO "IE PEWALTY AS
PROVIDED HEREIN, BE SUBJECTED TO ADMINISTRATIVE
DISCIPLINARY ACTION.

SEC. 16. Repealing Clause. - Any provision of law, presidential decree, exccuti
order. ar rules and regulations inconsistent with the provisions of this Act or with the nile
and regulations issued pursuant thereto is hereby repealed or modified accordingly
SEC. 17. Separability Clause. — Uf any provision of this Act is declared invalid
unconstirutional, the other provisions not affected thereby shall remain valid and subsisting

SEC. 18, Effectivity. ~ This Act shall take effect immediately upon its publication ::

at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation,

Approved,

10