TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session
S. B. No.
101
25 JUL-3 P5:05
wvm-j
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR ALAN PETER “COMPANERO” S. CAYETANO
AN ACT
STRENGTHENING FILIPINO IDENTITY THROUGH A NATIONAL VALUES, 
ETIQUETTE, AND MORAL UPRIGHTNESS PROGRAM; ESTABLISHING A 
COMMISSION ON FILIPINO VALUES, AND AN INTER-FAITH COUNCIL; 
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
“When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked
beareth rule, the people mourn. ”
Proverbs 29:2
Our identity as a people tells the world who we are. Every person’s unique 
identity is shaped by the values we learned from our families, schools, 
churches, and communities.
Similarly, our identity as Filipinos tells the world who we are. This unique identity 
is shaped by our collective values. From a nation of 6.2 million across 7,107 
islands at the turn of the 20th century, we have grown into a global diaspora of 
over 114 million spread across 7,641 islands and beyond. Throughout these 
changes, the “real” Filipino values remain relatively the same. It is high time that 
Filipino people from all walks of life—from church leaders, business leaders, 
entertainment, and government—come together and articulate’their identity as 
a people. In the same manner, bad values that destroy the image of the Filipino 
people must be rebuked.
As the nation pursues economic prosperity and modernization, our 
development must be anchored in our cherished core values: faith in GOD; the 
love that flows from a generous spirit'exemplified in the concept of bayaniham, 
the honor and respect we give to our elders and family; and our renowned 
Filipino warmth, hospitality, and compassion.


Taguig used to be known as a small town engaged in farming and fishing in the 
heart of Metro Manila. However, after suffering from crisis after crisis in the 
1970s up until the 1990s, it successfully developed into a central business 
district at the turn of the century. In all of these decades, Taguig did not lose its 
vision and continued to adhere to its core- values of a faith-based and values- 
oriented society that prioritizes health, and lifelong learning towards a caring 
community.
Drawing inspiration from the lessons that Taguigehos had learned all these 
years, this measure aims to inculcate universally accepted moral values starting 
at a young age; values-oriented and faith-based leadership in all government 
agencies, including government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs), 
and the private sector, and inter-faith dialogue and Involvement in the national 
affairs. It also serves as a response to the need for meaningful dialogue just 
among different faiths and religions to enhance mutual understanding, 
harmony, and cooperation among Filipinos.
Serving as an accompanying bill of Republic Act No. 11476, also known as the 
Good Manners and Right Conduct Act, this measure seeks to realize the full 
potential of upholding and integrating a values-based approach in all aspects of 
society, from the government to grassroots communities.
Under this measure, a national commission shall be created, tasked with 
spearheading and maintaining a National Program on Values, Etiquette, and 
Moral Uprightness. Under its vision, the development of the country will be 
anchored on the critical core values of the Filipino people, including patriotism, 
national pride and identity, civic consciousness, respect for human rights, 
critical thinking, ethical decislon-making, and social media and smartphone 
etiquette, among others.- The Department of Education will ensure that schools 
teach these values In classrooms, and the churches and businesses will be 
encouraged to teach them in places of worship and workplaces, respectively.
As our core values as a Filipino people define our identity, these values must 
permeate all aspects of the Filipino society: church, family, business, 
government, education, science and medicine, and media (both journalism and 
entertainment). All national programs, projects and endeavors must shall stem 
from these core values.
In view of the foregoing, the approval of this measure is earnestly sought.
ALAN PETER “COMPANERO” S. CAYETANO


r 0* :
TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session
25 JUL-3 P5:05
S. B. No.
101
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR ALAN PETER “COMPANERO” S. CAYETANO
AN ACT
STRENGTHENING FILIPINO IDENTITY THROUGH A NATIONAL VALUES, 
ETIQUETTE, AND MORAL UPRIGHTNESS PROGRAM; ESTABLISHING A 
COMMISSION ON FILIPINO VALUES, AND AN INTER-FAITH COUNCIL; 
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
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SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Filipino
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Identity in Values Act. ”
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SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - The preamble of the 1987
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Constitution articulates the aspiration of the Filipino people,, imploring the aid of
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Almighty God, in order to build a just and humane society, and establish a
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Government that shall embody our ideals and aspirations, promote the common
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good, conserve and develop our patrimony, and secure to ourselves and our
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posterity, the blessings of independence and democracy under the rule of law
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and a regime of truth, justice, freedom, love, equality and peace.
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In essence, the Constitution directs the State to institute policies, implement
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projects and programs, and enact laws that promote and protect the physical,
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moral, spiritual, intellectual, and social well-being of every Filipino, with special
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emphasis on the role of the youth in nation building through their involvement
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in public and civic affairs while inculcating patriotism and nationalism.
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It is therefore the declared policy of the State that a national program on values,
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etiquette, and moral uprightness, produced and articulated by the Commission
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on Filipino Values, shall serve as a foundational guide for governance, inform
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the crafting of policy, and be integrated into the design and implementation of
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all government laws, programs, and projects to ensure they are aligned with the
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shared aspirations of the Filipino people.


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SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the 
following terms are defined;
(a) 
“National Values” refers to a set of broadly shared ideals and principles, 
derived from Filipino cuiturai traditions, democratic principles, constitutional 
ideals, indigenous wisdom, and faith-based systems, that promote the kind of 
society envisioned in the preamble of the Philippine Constitution;
(b) 
“Etiquette” is the customary code of polite behavior and courtesy to be 
observed in society, including online interactions; and
(c) 
“Moral Uprightness” refers to the application of national values in the daily 
personal and social life of every Filipino which as a nation we should aspire for.
SECTION 4. Establishment of the Commission on Fiiipino Vaiues. -
There is hereby established a Commission on Filipino Values, hereinafter 
referred to as the “Commission.” The Commission shail be chaired by the 
Secretary of the Department of Education (DepEd), and shall be composed of 
the following members:
(a) 
The Chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED);
(b) 
One (1) representative from the Senate of the Phiiippines, to be 
designated by the Senate President;
(c) 
One (1) representative from the House of Representatives, to be 
designated by the Speaker of the House;
(d) 
One (1) representative from a reputable academic or professional 
organization with expertise in ethics, philosophy, and values education;
(e) 
One (1) representative from the National Commission on Indigenous 
Peoples (NCIP);
(f) 
One (1) representative from accredited national Non-Governmental 
Organizations (NGOs) or Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) with a proven 
track record of competence in family and home-based Values;
(g) 
One (1) representative from business and commercial organizations;
(h) 
One (1) representative from accredited national Non-Governmental 
Organizations (NGOs) or Civii Society Organizations (CSOs) that is respected 
and recognized in the scientific community;
(i) 
One (1) representative from accredited media organizations;
G) At least one (1) representative from different major religious 
denominations and faith traditions, chosen for their recognized work in inter-


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faith understanding and values promotion; and
(k) One (1) representative from the youth sector, upon recommendation of 
youth organizations.
The members of the Commission, other than ex-officio members, shall 
be appointed by the President of the Philippines from a list of nominees 
submitted by their respective sectors or organizations, based on criteria 
ensuring expertise, integrity, and commitment to equitable representation and 
pluralism.
SECTION 5. National Program on Values, Etiquette, and Moral 
Uprightness; Minimum Components of the Program. - A National Program 
on Values, Etiquette, and Moral Uprightness, hereinafter referred to as the 
“Program”, shall be crafted and periodically updated by the Commission, after 
conducting nationwide consultations, research, and inclusive deliberations.
The Program shall strive for broad consensus and shall be submitted to the 
President for approval. The Commission shall oversee and monitor the 
implementation of the approved Program. The Program, however, shall include 
the following minimum components:
(a) 
A centralized framework to reflect foundational Filipino Core Values.
(b) 
A faith-based and values-oriented developmental program that will 
provide training programs and modules that integrate ethical decision-making, 
accountability, and public service rooted in moral uprightness.
(c) 
Clear standards for online and social etiquette education, including the 
provision of modules on digital privacy, empathy in online discourse, and cyber 
ethics.
The principles and learning modules derived from the core components 
enumerated in paragraphs (a) to (c) shall be the basis for a unified and holistic 
national values curriculum. The DepEd shall integrate these components into 
the curriculum of the Good Manners and Right Conduct (GMRC) and Values 
Education subjects at the basic education level, in furtherance of the objectives 
of Republic Act No. 11476, otherwise known as the “GMRC and Values 
Education Act.”
Furthermore, and in coordination with the Commission, these components shall 
be appropriately adapted and incorporated by the CHED into tertiary-level 
curricula, by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority 
(TESDA) into vocational and technical training programs, and into the 
professional development and orientation programs for all government 
employees.
SECTION 6. Inter-Faith Council. - There is hereby established an Inter- 
Faith Council, hereinafter referred to as the “Council”, and shall be composed


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of leaders of religious organizations in the Phiiippines.
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The Councii shaii:
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1) Meet on a reguiar basis to discuss morals and values formation, focused
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on the shared ethicai principies and vaiues commonly agreed upon among
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various faiths, and such other reiated matters;
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2) Attend regular meetings with the Commission and advise and assist the
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Commission on matters pertaining to religion, faith, morals, values formation
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and education, and such other related matters;
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3) Attend regular meetings with the President and advise and assist the
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President on matters pertaining to religion, faith, morals, values formation and
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education, and such other related matters;
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4) Provide consuitative and advisory services to the various government
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and private agencies on matters pertaining to reiigion, faith, morais, values
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formation and education, and such other reiated matters; and
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5) Perform such other functions as may be assigned by the President of the
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Philippines reiating to reiigion, faith, morals, values formation and education,
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and such other related matters.
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SECTION 7. Roles and Responsibilities of the Commission, the
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Presidentiai Inter-Faith Council, and Relevant National Government
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Agencies (NGAs). - For purposes of this Act, the Commission and the
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Presidential Inter-Faith Council, hereinafter created, and the different NGAs
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shaii have the following roles:
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(a) Commission - The Commission shall be the lead agency in the
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implementation of this Act. It shall work and coordinate with NGAs and the non-
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government sector in pursuing the goal of establishing a strong foundation for
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just and morai governance. It shall come up with the Nationai Program on
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Values, Etiquette, and Morai Uprightness, pursuant to Section 5 of this Act.
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(b) Jnter-Faith Councii - The Council shall serve as the primary advisory
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body tasked with making recommendations to the Commission and to the
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President regarding morals and values formation based on the shared ethical
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principles and values commonly agreed upon among various faiths. It shall
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design and assist in the impiementation of values formation programs and
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projects as stated in Sections 7 (c) to (e), 8, and 9 of this Act.
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(c) Department of Education (DepEd) - The DepEd shall continue to
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implement GMRC and Values Education as core subjects and/or integrated
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components as prescribed in Repubiic Act No. 11476, otherwise known as the
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“GMRC and Values Education Act.” The content, pedagogy, and iearning
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materials for GMRC and Values Education shall be informed, enhanced, and
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periodically updated by the DepEd. DepEd shall integrate the recommendations


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of the Commission in the deveiopment of its curriculum to ensure that it remains
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comprehensive and inclusive of diverse perspectives, and utilizes clear, distinct,
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specific, and concrete character-building activities.
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b* (d) Commission on Higher Education (CHED) - The* CHED, in
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consultation with the Commission, shall ensure the integration of appropriate
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subjects or modules based on the National Program into tertiary-level curricula.
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(e) Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) -
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The TESDA, in consultation with the Commission, shall integrate appropriate
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subjects or modules based on the Nartional Program into Technical and
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Vocational Education and Training programs.
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SECTION 8. Implementation in All Other Government Offices,
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Government-Owned and Controlled Corporations (GOCCs), NGAs, and
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Local Government Units (LGUs); Voluntary Compliance of Private Entities
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and Institutions. - All government offices, GOCCs, NGAs, and LGUs shall
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include modules* on patriotism, national pride and identity, and moral
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uprightness, including online and social etiquette, in employee orientations or
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training programs and continuing professional development. Appropriate
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employee seminars shall also be regularly held on the aforesaid projects.
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Private entities and institutions, through their respective Human Resources
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Departments (HRD) or equivalent, are encouraged to include modules on
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patriotism, national pride and identity, and moral uprightness, including online
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and social etiquette, in employee orientation and training programs, and to hold
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activities promoting an ethical and values-driven workplace culture.
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SECTION 9. Values Officer in Educational Institutions and
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Government Offices, including GOCCs. - It is hereby mandated that all
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higher education institutions and government offices, Government-Owned and
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Controlled Corporations, national agencies, and local government units, shall
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designate or appoint at least one (1) Values Officer from their existing
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personnel, or create such a position if deemed necessary and feasible, subject
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to existing civil service rules and regulations. The Values Officer shall oversee 
33. the implementation of the Program and related policies under this Act within
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their respective offices.
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The functions of Values Officers shall include values orientation of new students
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and new hires, and training sessions, seminars, or teach-ins of current
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employees, among others.
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SECTION 10. Non-Discrimination. — The implementation of this Act
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shall be free from any form of discrimination based on religion, belief, ethnicity,
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gender, social status, or political affiliation, and shall uphold the dignity and
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rights of every individual.
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SECTION 11. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to carry out the


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provisions of this Act shaii be inciuded in the Annual General Appropriations Act
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or sourced from the internally generated income of the public educational
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institutions.
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SECTION 12.. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is
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declared unconstitutional inoperative, the other provisions not so declared shall
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remain in force and effect.
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SECTION 13. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and
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regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with the Act or the rules and regulations
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promulgated pursuant thereto are hereby repealed or amended accordingly.
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SECTION 14. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15)
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days after publication in two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,