Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. ___ 
Introduced by CIBAC Party-List Representative 
HON. EDUARDO “BRO. EDDIE” C. VILLANUEVA 
AN ACT 
INSTITUTIONALIZING E-GOVERNANCE IN THE GOVERNMENT, 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
In the latest doing business report prepared by the World Bank in 2020, the 
Philippines ranked 171st out of 190 countries in terms of starting a business, 120th in terms 
of registering property and 95th among paying taxes.1 Further, according to the latest 2022 
World Digital Competitiveness Ranking  prepared by the International Institute for 
Management Development (IMD), the Philippines had the lowest ranking among 
Southeast Asian countries at 13th among the 14 Asia-Pacific economies, ahead only of 
Mongolia.2  
These statistics indicate that the Philippines has some catching up to do in terms 
of digitalization, not just for its citizens, but the government as well. The present could not 
be a better time as according to a study by the Asian Development Bank, the Asia and 
Pacific region is entering the 4th industrial revolution and must adopt and adapt to the 
industry's evolving needs by implementing programs geared towards transitioning to a 
digital economy and digital solutions.3  
In fact, the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated this reality in the past two years 
1“World Bank Doing Business 2020.” Retrieved from 
https:/Awww.doingbusiness.org/content/dam/doingBusiness/country/p/philippines/PHL.pdf (date last accessed: November 27, 
2022).  
2 September 29, 2022. Philippines improves in digital competitiveness. Retrieved from https://www.bworldonline.com/top-
stories/2022/09/29/477384/philippines-improves-in-digital-competitiveness/ (date last accessed: November 27, 2022).  
3 “Reaping The Benefits Of Industry 4.0 Through Skills Development In The Philippines.” Asian Development Bank. Retrieved from 
https://www.adb.org/publications/series/reaping-benefits-industry-skills-development (date last accessed: November 27, 2022).  
March 29, 2023
11:03 am
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after the government and most businesses have shut down their physical operations 
following the imposition of community quarantines. As the world slowly opens up and 
recovers from the pandemic, the Philippines must continue in its path to digitalization.  
This measure seeks to institutionalize electronically-enabled government 
processes in order to make government processes and procedures more efficient, prompt 
and economical. Among others, this bill:  
a)
Mandates all government agencies, offices and instrumentalities, including local
government units to publish all relevant information not only via the traditional mode,
but also via online means;
b)
Assigns the Department of Information and Communications Technology as the
lead agency to implement the provisions of the Act, including the harmonization of
all national ICT plans and initiatives;
c)
Establishes the Project Management Office (PMO), which shall cater to and address
the portfolio, program, and project management needs of government agencies;
d)
Establishes the Integrated Government Network which shall be the master plan and
primary means for sharing and communication of resources, information and data
on digital and electronic platforms across all government offices;
e)
Mandates the establishment and maintenance of a “GovMail” network to be used in
all communications, information dissemination and sharing of information;
f)
Establishes the Philippine Individual Information Database, which shall be
integrated with the existing database mandated under Republic Act No. 11055 or
the Philippine Identification System Act;
g)
Mandates the automatic and real time updating of public information regardless of
the time and location where such change or update was communicated;
h)
Creates the Public Service Directory containing the names and contact numbers of
all government agencies, offices and instrumentalities and their respective officials,
which shall be available to the public;
i)
Establishes the Online Public Service Portal where individuals and businesses can
access information and ask for assistance;
j)
Creates the Citizens’ Concerns Center where citizens can report their complaints,
grievances, and concerns on acts of red tape, as defined under the Anti-Red Tape
Act of 2007, as amended, and other relevant corruption laws, rules and regulations;
k)
Establishes the Philippine Citizen Connect to assist and help any citizen who does
not have access to, or need help with using computers, the internet, and other


analogous means to transact with and request the delivery of public services from 
the government in their localities; and 
l)
Creates the Philippine lnfostructure Management Corporation (PIMC) to, among
others, plan and implement infrastructure programs, such as, but not limited to, the
National Broadband Plan, Free Wi-Fi for All, and expansion of the National
Government Data Centers and Government Cloud.
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
HON. EDUARDO “BRO. EDDIE” C. VILLANUEVA 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. ___ 
Introduced by CIBAC Party-List Representative 
HON. EDUARDO “BRO. EDDIE” C. VILLANUEVA 
AN ACT 
INSTITUTIONALIZING E-GOVERNANCE IN THE GOVERNMENT, 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the 
Philippines in Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "E-Governance Act.” 
1 
2 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy and Purposes. - It is hereby declared the policy 
3 
of the State to recognize the vital role of communication and information in nation-building 
4 
and the necessity of harnessing the power of information and communications technology 
5 
in pursuit of national development and progress. The State hereby adopts a policy to 
6 
create, foster, and sustain a digitally empowered and integrated government that provides 
7 
responsive and transparent online citizen-centered services for a globally competitive 
8 
Filipino nation. In pursuit of this policy, this Act shall have the following purposes: 
9 
10 
a)
Provide effective leadership of government efforts to develop and promote
11 
electronic government services and processes by providing guidance to the
12 
Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) in accordance
13 
with its mandate;
14 
15 
b)
Provide increased opportunities for citizen participation, accountability and
16 
involvement in government processes by enabling them to benefit from more
17 
efficient government services made possible by electronic processes;
18 
19 
c)
Promote use of the internet, intranet and other information and communications
20 
technologies to provide increased opportunities for citizen participation in
21 
government;
22 
7803


 
1 
d) 
Promote inter-agency collaboration in providing electronic government services, 
2 
where this collaboration would improve the service to citizens by integrating related 
3 
functions, and in the use of internal electronic government processes, where this 
4 
collaboration would improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the processes; 
5 
 
6 
e) 
Improve the ability of the government to achieve agency missions and program 
7 
performance goals; 
8 
 
9 
f) 
Promote the use of the internet, intranet, and emerging technologies within and 
10 
across government agencies to provide citizen-centric government information and 
11 
services; 
12 
 
13 
g) 
Reduce costs and burdens for businesses and other government entities through 
14 
the use of internet, intranet, and emerging technologies; 
15 
 
16 
h) 
Promote better informed and data-driven decision making by policy makers, taking 
17 
into consideration data analytics results; 
18 
 
19 
i) 
Promote access to high quality government information and services across multiple 
20 
channels; 
21 
 
22 
j) 
Make the national and local governments more transparent and accountable;  
23 
 
24 
k) 
Transform agency operations by utilizing, where appropriate, best practices from 
25 
public and private sector organizations, both local and international;  
26 
 
27 
l) 
Strengthen and prepare systems in place for contingencies like natural disasters or 
28 
pandemics that may otherwise limit citizen mobility and access to services; and 
29 
 
30 
m) Provide enhanced access to government information and services in a manner 
31 
consistent with laws regarding protection of personal privacy, national security, 
32 
records retention, access for persons with disabilities, and other relevant laws. 
33 
 
34 
SEC. 3. Coverage. - This Act shall apply to all government offices and agencies 
35 
including local government units (LGUs) and government-owned or controlled 
36 
corporations (GOCCs). 
37 
 
38 
SEC. 4. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act, the following terms are defined 
39 
as follows:  
40 
 
41 
a) 
E-Governance refers to the use of information and communications technology by 
42 
the government and the public to enhance the access to and delivery of government 
43 
services to bring about efficient, responsive, ethical, accountable and transparent 
44 
government service; 
45 
 
46 


b) 
Workflow refers to the sequence of industrial, administrative, or other processes 
1 
through which a piece of work passes from initiation to completion; 
2 
 
3 
c) 
Intranet refers to a secure and private enterprise network that shares data or 
4 
application resources via Internet Protocol; 
5 
 
6 
d) 
Internet refers to a secure and public enterprise network that shares data or 
7 
application resources via Internet Protocol; 
8 
 
9 
e) 
ICT assets refers any data, device, equipment, infrastructure, system, or 
10 
component thereof, or property, owned or possessed by the DICT in accordance 
11 
with its mandate, utilized to ensure or support the proper and efficient operation and 
12 
implementation of ICT-related programs and delivery of ICT services; and 
13 
 
14 
f) 
ICT Plan refers to the sum or set of goals, measures, strategies, agenda, and 
15 
programs for the implementation of ICT programs and projects and the use of 
16 
information and communications technology, including digital platforms, to deliver 
17 
public services or otherwise perform governmental functions. 
18 
 
19 
CHAPTER 1 
20 
ROLE OF THE GOVERNMENT 
21 
 
22 
SEC. 5. Responsibilities of the Heads of Government Agencies. - The head 
23 
of each agency, office, and instrumentality of the national and/or local government shall 
24 
be responsible for: 
25 
 
26 
a) 
Complying with the requirements of this Act, including related standards for all ICT 
27 
infrastructure, systems, equipment, designs, and all other technology, which shall 
28 
be set by the DICT; 
29 
 
30 
b) 
Complying with the standards and protocols for cyber security, resiliency, privacy, 
31 
and confidentiality, which shall also be promulgated by the DICT; 
32 
 
33 
c) 
Ensuring that the information technology standards promulgated by the DICT are 
34 
communicated promptly and effectively to all relevant officials within their agency; 
35 
and 
36 
 
37 
d) 
Supporting the efforts of the national and local governments to develop, maintain, 
38 
and promote an integrated Internet-based system of delivering information and 
39 
services to the public. 
40 
 
41 
To these ends: 
42 
 
43 
a) 
Agencies shall develop performance measures that demonstrate how electronic 
44 
government enables progress toward agency objectives, strategic goals, and 
45 
statutory mandates; 
46 


 
1 
b) 
In measuring performance, agencies shall rely on existing data collections to the 
2 
extent practicable. Areas of performance measurement should include customer 
3 
service, agency productivity, and adoption of innovative information 
technology 
4 
including the appropriate use of commercial best practices; 
5 
 
6 
c) 
Agencies shall link their performance goals, as appropriate, to key groups, including 
7 
citizens, businesses, and other governments; and 
8 
 
9 
d) 
As appropriate, agencies shall work collectively in linking their performance goals to 
10 
key groups and shall use information technology in delivering government 
11 
information and services to those groups. 
12 
 
13 
SEC. 6. 
Role of the Department of Information and Communications 
14 
Technology (DICT). - The DICT shall, in addition to its mandates and functions under 
15 
Republic Act No. 10844, or the Department of Information and Communications 
16 
Technology Act of 2015: 
17 
 
18 
a) 
Harmonize and coordinate all national ICT plans and initiatives to ensure 
19 
knowledge, information and resource-sharing, database-building, and agency 
20 
networking linkages among government agencies, consistent with E-Government 
21 
objectives in particular, and national objectives in general; 
22 
 
23 
b) 
Ensure the development and protection of integrated government ICT infrastructure 
24 
and designs, taking into consideration the inventory of existing manpower, plans, 
25 
programs, software, hardware, and installed systems; 
26 
 
27 
c) 
Assist and provide technical expertise to government agencies in the development 
28 
of guidelines in the enforcement and administration of laws, standards, rules, and 
29 
regulations governing ICT; 
30 
 
31 
d) 
Assess, initiate, review and support ICT research and development programs of 
32 
the government; and 
33 
 
34 
e) 
Prescribe, in accordance with applicable civil service laws and rules, the creation of 
35 
ICT-related 
government positions and corresponding compensation rates 
36 
aligned with the personnel needs of a digitalized government, as well as the 
37 
qualifications, standards, duties, and functions essential to the effective 
38 
development and operation of government ICT infrastructures and systems. 
39 
 
40 
SEC. 7. DICT as the Primary Implementing Body. - The DICT shall be the 
41 
primary implementing body and principal administrator of this Act, which shall ensure that 
42 
all lCT-related projects in the country are done in accordance with the national ICT 
43 
development agenda formulated by the DICT. 
44 
 
45 


For this purpose, the DICT shall establish measures to implement policies under 
1 
this Act and ensure that all ICT projects in the Philippines, whether national or local, are 
2 
harmonized with the overall ICT plans of the government and in compliance with 
3 
applicable standards. Accordingly, the DICT shall be responsible for the following: 
4 
 
5 
a) 
Adopting a national policy and process that would facilitate the entry and adoption 
6 
of technologies consistent with the goals of this Act; 
7 
 
8 
b) 
Ensuring the quality, security, reliability, and interoperability of all ICT infrastructure 
9 
and services in accordance with international standards and best practices; 
10 
 
11 
c) 
Tapping into the private sector and entering into partnerships and joint ventures in 
12 
accordance with the goals of this Act; 
13 
d) 
Mandate and supervise the adoption of policies and processes to ensure the 
14 
implementation of this Act; 
15 
 
16 
e) 
Mandate and supervise the interconnection or interoperability of ICT infrastructure, 
17 
systems, and facilities to achieve the goals of this Act; and 
18 
 
19 
f) 
Regulate and supervise the operations of ICT infrastructure, systems, and facilities, 
20 
and in the exercise of such functions, charge reasonable administrative and 
21 
operational fees as may be necessary, in accordance with applicable laws, rules 
22 
and regulations.  
23 
 
24 
SEC. 8. The DICT Project Management Office. - Within one year from the 
25 
effectivity of this Act, the DICT shall establish a Project Management Office (PMO), which 
26 
shall cater to and address the portfolio, program, and project management needs of 
27 
government agencies, with the end goal of ensuring that ICT projects across the 
28 
government are managed with efficiency and agility following international best practices 
29 
and standards to facilitate the delivery of immediate and quality services through the use 
30 
of new or enhanced ICT services.  
31 
 
32 
 
The DICT shall provide guidelines on the operation of the PMO and the 
33 
qualifications of personnel under the PMO; Provided, That at the minimum, the personnel 
34 
in the PMO shall have obtained internationally-recognized certifications and appropriate 
35 
units or credentials on Project Management, Program Management, IT Service 
36 
Management ITIL (Information Technology Infrastructure Library), The Open Group 
37 
Enterprise Architecture, Risk Management, and other similar fields or specializations. For 
38 
this purpose, the ICT Academy created under this Act shall ensure that related courses, 
39 
multimodal training, and certifications are regularly offered. 
40 
 
41 
SEC. 9. Inclusivity. - In accordance with the Philippine Citizen Connect Program 
42 
provided under this Act, all policies, programs, activities and projects pursuant to this Act 
43 
shall ensure access and connectivity to all citizens, especially to those without or with 
44 
limited access to the internet. In all cases, the DICT shall ensure the availability of 
45 
government information and services to all, regardless of the availability of internet 
46 


services. For this purposes, all agencies covered under this Act shall pursue alternate 
1 
modes of delivery of information and services. 
2 
 
3 
CHAPTER 2 
4 
THE INTEGRATED GOVERNMENT NETWORK 
5 
 
6 
SEC. 10. Establishment of the Integrated Government Network. - The DICT 
7 
shall establish an integrated, interconnected, and interoperable internal government 
8 
network, to be known as the "Integrated Government Network" (IGN), which shall be the 
9 
master plan and primary means for the sharing and communication of resources, 
10 
information, and data on digital and electronic platforms across all government offices. 
11 
The IGN shall also act as the government's primary and focal information management 
12 
tool and communications network. 
13 
 
14 
SEC. 11. Scope and Coverage of the IGN. - The IGN shall cover all branches, 
15 
agencies, instrumentalities, and offices of the national and local government, including 
16 
GOCCs. 
17 
 
18 
SEC. 12. Interconnectivity and Interoperability of the IGN to Existing 
19 
Government Networks. - All internal networks already established and maintained by 
20 
any government agency, office, or instrumentality, including LGUs, shall upon the 
21 
effectivity of this Act, enact measures to establish interconnection to and interoperability 
22 
with the IGN.  
23 
 
24 
SEC. 13. Internal Records Management Information System. - The government 
25 
shall establish, maintain, and support a records management system for the systematic, 
26 
efficient, and cost-effective management of all government and public documents and 
27 
records. All paper-based documents and records shall be digitized, migrated to, and 
28 
managed through this system. 
29 
 
30 
The government shall also establish a framework to allow efficient interoperability 
31 
among agencies, offices, and instrumentalities of the national and local government when 
32 
using electronic signatures, including processing of digital signatures. 
33 
 
34 
SEC. 14. Internal Email Network. - The government shall establish and maintain 
35 
an internal email and communications network to be known as "GovMail" for 
36 
communications, information dissemination and sharing, coordination, feedback, and 
37 
other similar and related purposes. It shall be structured in a manner that ensures that 
38 
the use and operation of such email network is accessible, safe, interactive, 
39 
interconnected, and interoperable. 
40 
 
41 
SEC. 15. Migration, Digitization, and Automation of Paper-Based Workflows. - 
42 
All 
paper-based 
government 
and 
bureaucratic 
workflows 
involving 
internal 
43 
communications, information dissemination and sharing, coordination, feedback, and 
44 
other similar and related purposes shall be migrated, digitized, and, as far as practicable, 
45 
automated. 
46 


 
1 
Notwithstanding 
the 
provisions 
of 
this 
Act, 
communication, 
information 
2 
dissemination and sharing, coordination, and feedback which deals with critical and 
3 
sensitive information as may be determined by the head of the agency shall be allowed 
4 
to be conducted through traditional and non-digital means as may be deemed appropriate 
5 
for the purpose by the head of the agency. 
6 
 
7 
CHAPTER 3 
8 
THE PHILIPPINE INFORMATION DATABASE 
9 
 
10 
SEC. 16. The Philippine Individual Information Database and Civil Registration 
11 
System. - The government shall establish, maintain, and support an individual 
12 
information database which shall act as a national repository and directory of information 
13 
and data on citizens of the Philippines, whether residing in the Philippines or not; 
14 
Provided, That such database shall, as far as practicable, be integrated with the database 
15 
mandated under Republic Act No. 11055 or the Philippine Identification System Act.  
16 
 
17 
Information and data to be stored on the database shall include names, addresses, 
18 
whether permanent or temporary, national identification numbers, dates and places of 
19 
birth, citizenship, civil status, biometric data and information, and other associated 
20 
information: Provided, that the acquisition and storage of data and information on the 
21 
database shall not in any way violate any applicable domestic and international laws and 
22 
rules on privacy of data and information, including the provisions of Republic Act No. 
23 
10173 or the Data Privacy Act of 2012. 
24 
 
25 
Such database shall also include information relating to foreign nationals who enters 
26 
the Philippines.  
27 
 
28 
SEC. 17. Access to and Use of the Database. - The database shall be accessible 
29 
through digital platforms such as intranet and internet to all agencies, offices, and 
30 
instrumentalities of the government for purposes consistent with legitimate and valid 
31 
public purposes in accordance with the Data Privacy Act of 2012 and such other 
32 
applicable laws, rules and regulations.  
33 
 
34 
All government agencies, offices, and instrumentalities with access to the database 
35 
shall maintain a record of all the instances when, where, and how such agency, office, or 
36 
instrumentality, or its duly authorized representatives, had accessed any information or 
37 
data stored on the database and the purpose/s of such access, including the identity of 
38 
the actual person or persons gaining access to the said database. 
39 
 
40 
Notwithstanding the provisions of this Act, access to and use of the resources, 
41 
information, and data on the database shall be in accordance with all relevant domestic 
42 
and international laws, rules, and regulations on data and information privacy and the 
43 
pertinent rules on confidentiality of government information. 
44 
 
45 


SEC.18. Automatic and Real Time Updating of Information. - The government 
1 
shall establish and maintain measures to ensure that information stored on the database 
2 
shall automatically and in real time be updated across the entire government network, 
3 
regardless of when and where the change in such data or information was first made or 
4 
submitted, with the end view that an update made at any access point in the government 
5 
network shall automatically be reflected and accessible across all access points in real 
6 
time. 
7 
 
8 
SEC. 19. Creation of Data Exchange Protocols. - The DICT shall establish a data 
9 
exchange protocol between and among agencies and private sector which shall ensure 
10 
legitimacy of access to data, security of information, and compliance with applicable 
11 
domestic and international laws on data privacy. 
12 
 
13 
CHAPTER 4 
14 
THE PUBLIC SERVICE DIRECTORY  
15 
 
16 
SEC. 20. Public Service Directory. - The government shall establish, maintain, 
17 
and support a directory to be known as the “Philippine Public Service Directory” of all civil 
18 
and public officials and servants throughout the country, including names, titles, 
19 
telephone and facsimile numbers, departmental names, office locations, and e-mail 
20 
addresses. Any changes to the information in the directory shall be reflected in real time. 
21 
 
22 
SEC. 21. Access to and Use of the Directory. - The directory shall be accessible 
23 
through digital or other platforms to the public consistent with civil service rules and 
24 
regulations and the right of the public to information; Provided, That in all cases, such 
25 
access to and use of the resources, information, and data on the directory shall be in 
26 
accordance with all relevant laws, rules, and regulations on data and information privacy 
27 
and the pertinent rules on confidentiality of government information. 
28 
 
29 
CHAPTER 5 
30 
THE GOVERNMENT E-PORTALS 
31 
 
32 
SEC. 22. Establishment of Online Public Service Portal for Individuals and 
33 
Business. - In accordance with the policy of the government to maintain and promote an 
34 
integrated internet-based system of providing the public with access to government 
35 
information and services, the government, through the DICT, shall establish, maintain, 
36 
and continuously update a portal which shall serve as a helpdesk where citizens and 
37 
legitimate businesses can request for information and assistance on government frontline 
38 
services, service procedures, and report commendations, appreciation, complaints, and 
39 
feedback. 
40 
 
41 
The online portal shall also serve as a centralized contact point where all 
42 
communications from the public through such portal may be routed, logged, responded 
43 
to, and ultimately distributed to the different government agencies for proper handling and 
44 
resolution, and follow through if necessary. 
45 
 
46 


SEC. 23. Access to and Use of the Online Public Service Portal. - The portal 
1 
shall be accessible through digital platforms to the public for purposes consistent with the 
2 
efficient delivery of public services; Provided, That in all cases, such access to and use 
3 
of the resources, information, and data on the portal shall be in accordance with all 
4 
relevant laws, rules, and regulations on data and information privacy and the pertinent 
5 
rules on confidentiality of government information. 
6 
 
7 
SEC. 24. Government Frontline Services Through the Portal. - All government 
8 
agencies, offices, and instrumentalities which provide frontline services, as defined under 
9 
Republic Act No. 9485 or the Anti-Red Tape Act of 2007, as amended by Republic Act 
10 
No. 11032 or the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act 
11 
of 2018, shall establish and maintain measures to ensure that such services are 
12 
accessible and capable of delivery to the public through the portal. All offices and 
13 
agencies which provide frontline services are hereby mandated to regularly undertake 
14 
time and motion studies, undergo evaluation and improvement of their transaction 
15 
systems and procedures and re-engineer the same if deemed necessary to maximize the 
16 
use of the portal for efficiency and transparency. 
17 
 
18 
SEC. 25. Access to Frontline Services. - The following process and procedures 
19 
shall be adopted by all government offices and agencies that provide frontline services: 
20 
 
21 
a) 
Acceptance of applications and request.  All officers or employees shall accept 
22 
written applications, requests, and/or documents being submitted by clients of the 
23 
office or agency through the portal. The responsible officer or employee shall 
24 
acknowledge receipt of such application and/or request by writing or printing clearly 
25 
thereon, through the portal, his/her name, the unit where he/she is connected with, 
26 
and the time and date of receipt. The receiving officer or employee shall perform a 
27 
preliminary assessment of the request to promote a more expeditious action on 
28 
requests. 
29 
 
30 
b) 
Action of offices. All applications and/or requests submitted through the portal shall 
31 
be acted upon by the assigned officer or employee during the period stated in the 
32 
Citizen's Charter which shall not be longer than three (3) working days in the case 
33 
of simple transactions and seven (7) working days in the case of complex 
34 
transactions from the date the request or application was received. Depending on 
35 
the nature of the frontline services requested or the mandate of the office or agency 
36 
under unusual circumstances, the maximum time prescribed above may be 
37 
extended. For the extension due to nature of frontline services or the mandate of 
38 
the office or agency concerned the period for the delivery of frontline services shall 
39 
be indicated in the Citizen's Charter. The office or agency concerned shall notify the 
40 
requesting party in writing of the reason for the extension and the final date of 
41 
release for the extension and the final date of release of the frontline service/s 
42 
requested. No application or request shall be returned to the client without 
43 
appropriate action. In case an application or request is disapproved, the officer or 
44 
employee who rendered the decision shall send a formal notice to the client within 
45 
five working days from the receipt of the request and/or application, stating therein 
46 


the reason for the disapproval including a list of specific requirement/s which the 
1 
client failed to submit. 
2 
 
3 
c) 
Denial of request for access to government service. Any denial of request for 
4 
access to government service shall be fully explained in writing through the portal 
5 
and/or via physical means, stating the name of the person making the denial and 
6 
the grounds upon which such denial is based. Any denial of request is deemed to 
7 
have been made with the permission or clearance from the highest authority having 
8 
jurisdiction over the government office or agency concerned. 
9 
 
10 
d) 
Access to progression of frontline service requests through the online portal.  
11 
All offices, agencies, and instrumentalities shall make accessible through the portal 
12 
the progress of all frontline service requests in real time. 
13 
 
14 
e) 
Adoption of working schedules to serve clients through the online portal.  
15 
Heads of offices and agencies which render frontline services shall adopt 
16 
appropriate working schedules to ensure that all clients have requested for public 
17 
services through the portal are attended to and served even during lunch break and 
18 
after regular working hours, in accordance with pertinent civil service rules and 
19 
regulations.  
20 
 
21 
f) 
Identification of public employees. All employees transacting with the public shall 
22 
be provided with an official identification card which should be publicly accessible 
23 
through the online portal. Government agencies, offices, and instrumentalities 
24 
mandated under this Act to provide and deliver public services through the portal 
25 
shall not in any way require the person requesting for such public service to 
26 
physically go and report to the physical office of such agency, office, or 
27 
instrumentality where the purpose of such physical presence may be reasonably 
28 
accomplished through the online portal. 
29 
 
30 
SEC. 26. Government Online Payment System. - In conjunction with the online 
31 
portals for the delivery of public services, the government shall establish an internet-
32 
based electronic payment system and facility to enable citizens and businesses to remit 
33 
payments through digital platforms to and from the government agencies to which such 
34 
payments are due. For this purpose, the government may engage the services of and 
35 
interconnect with public and private payment systems and facilities, in accordance with 
36 
applicable laws, rules and regulations. 
37 
 
38 
SEC. 27. The Citizens’ Concerns Center. - There is hereby established a Citizens' 
39 
Concerns Center (the “Center”), which shall serve as a mechanism where citizens may 
40 
report their complaints, grievances, and concerns on acts of red tape, as defined under 
41 
the Anti-Red Tape Act of 2007, as amended, and other relevant laws, and/ or corruption 
42 
or misconduct on the part of any government agency, GOCC, government financial 
43 
institution (GFI), and other instrumentalities of the government or any of its officers, 
44 
officials, or employees. The Center shall be under the direction and supervision of the 
45 


Office of the Cabinet Secretary, in coordination with the DILG and representatives from 
1 
the local government units. 
2 
 
3 
SEC. 28. Integration with Existing Public Feedback Mechanisms. - All existing 
4 
public feedback mechanisms for similar purposes established and/or maintained by 
5 
agencies, offices, and instrumentalities, and local government units, shall be fully 
6 
integrated with the Center. For this purpose and in accordance with the objectives of this 
7 
Act, the Center may enter into such arrangements as are necessary for the 
8 
interconnection, interoperability, and integration of the public feedback mechanisms. 
9 
 
10 
SEC. 29.  Integration with the Internal Government Network and Database. - 
11 
The Center, including its sub-operations units, and its operations shall be fully integrated 
12 
with the internal government network and database for real time updating of data and 
13 
information. 
14 
 
15 
SEC. 30. Minimum Operating Standards. - The Center, including its sub-
16 
operational units, shall have the following minimum operating standards: 
17 
 
18 
 
19 
a) 
Communications channels. The Center shall provide communications channels 
20 
which shall include, but are not limited to, (i) telephone; (ii) short messaging services 
21 
(SMS) or text messaging services; (iii) electronic mail (email); (iv) social media; or 
22 
(v) such other emerging communications media which can reasonably be used to 
23 
fulfill the purposes of the Center; 
24 
 
25 
b) 
Operating hours. The Center shall operate, through any of its communications 
26 
channels, twenty-four (24) hours a day, seven (7) days a week, including national 
27 
holidays and days in which work is suspended for whatever reason, for which 
28 
purpose the Center may establish effective measures to ensure continuity of 
29 
service;  
30 
 
31 
c) 
Process flow. A citizen's concern received through any of the communications 
32 
channels shall immediately be encoded onto the Philippine Information Database 
33 
and referred in real time to the concerned agency, office, or instrumentality for 
34 
appropriate action through the internal government network. The complainant shall 
35 
be given advice or feedback on the status of the concern until its resolution;  
36 
 
37 
d)  
Period to take action. All complaints and/or concerns shall be acted upon within 
38 
seventy-two (72) hours from receipt by the proper government agency or 
39 
instrumentality, which action shall be communicated to the citizen concerned. For 
40 
purposes of this provision, the period provided shall exclude such time outside the 
41 
normal office hours of the agency or office concerned. 
42 
 
43 
SEC. 31. Cooperation of Government Agencies and Local Government Units. 
44 
- To ensure that the public is served efficiently and expeditiously in accordance with the 
45 
objectives of this Act, all national government agencies, offices, and instrumentalities, 
46 


GOCCs, GFIs, and LGUs are enjoined to cooperate and coordinate with the Office of the 
1 
Cabinet Secretary and each other to ensure prompt action on the concerns received 
2 
through the communications channels of the Center. 
3 
 
4 
CHAPTER 6 
5 
THE PHILIPPINE CITIZEN CONNECT PROGRAM 
6 
 
7 
SEC. 32. The Philippine Citizen Connect Program. - The government shall 
8 
establish a program, to be known as the "Philippine Citizen Connect," to assist and help 
9 
any citizen who does not have access to, or need help with using computers, the internet, 
10 
and other analogous means to transact with and request the delivery of public services 
11 
from the government in their localities. 
12 
 
13 
SEC. 33. Free Internet for the Public. - Pursuant to Republic Act No. 10929 or the 
14 
Free Internet Access in Public Places Act, the government, through the DICT, shall 
15 
establish a program that will provide free access to internet service in public places, with 
16 
particular focus on unserved or underserved areas, throughout the country, to enable 
17 
access to the online portals, promote knowledge-building among citizens, and enable 
18 
them to participate and compete in the evolving information and communication age. 
19 
 
20 
 
SEC. 34. Provision and Maintenance of Internet-Capable Devices in all 
21 
Barangay Centers and Corresponding Personnel. - All barangay centers shall provide 
22 
and maintain internet-capable devices for the purpose of enabling efficient and timely 
23 
access to government services, and corresponding personnel shall be hired and/or 
24 
assigned to assist citizens in using such devices.  
25 
 
26 
CHAPTER 7 
27 
GOVERNMENT WEBSITES AND E-BULLETIN BOARDS 
28 
 
29 
SEC. 35. Government E-Bulletin Board. – Each of the government agencies, 
30 
offices, instrumentalities and LGUs covered under this Act shall establish and maintain a 
31 
website and an e-bulletin board for the purposes of information sharing and 
32 
dissemination, which shall be structured and maintained to ensure accessibility and 
33 
security. 
34 
 
35 
SEC. 36. Online Information Dissemination. - All government offices, agencies, 
36 
instrumentalities and LGUs shall publish all information intended for public consumption 
37 
via the traditional modes and through publication on their websites and e-bulletin boards. 
38 
 
39 
Notwithstanding the provisions of this Act and other relevant laws, the publication of 
40 
notices, documents, or any other information on the website and e-bulletin board shall be 
41 
construed as sufficient notice to the public for purposes of compliance with laws and rules 
42 
requiring publication; Provided, That such website or e-bulletin board is accessible at 
43 
such point in time where accessibility is claimed; Provided, further, That the start of 
44 
publication shall be the date on which the notice, document, or information was first 
45 
uploaded and made accessible to the public. 
46 


 
1 
SEC. 37. Minimum Standards for Government Websites and Information 
2 
Portals. - The following shall be the minimum standards for government websites and 
3 
information portals: 
4 
 
5 
a) 
It shall include direct and easily identifiable links to (i) description of the mission, 
6 
statutory authority, and the organizational structure of the agency; and (ii) commonly 
7 
asked questions and the corresponding answers, and other common matters of 
8 
public concern; and 
9 
 
10 
b) 
It shall include direct and easily identifiable links to the relevant and applicable 
11 
portals for the delivery of public services. 
12 
 
13 
CHAPTER 8 
14 
SECURITY AND PRIVACY 
15 
 
16 
SEC. 38. Data and Information Security. - All resources, information, or data 
17 
stored on or transmitted through the IGN and all networks interconnected to and 
18 
interoperable with it, the Philippine Information Database, the Public Service Directory, 
19 
the portals, and websites shall be kept secure and free from interference or unauthorized 
20 
access that can hamper or otherwise compromise the integrity of the information and 
21 
communication technology assets. 
22 
 
23 
Access to and use of the resources, information, and data on the IGN shall be limited 
24 
to the government and its duly authorized officers and agents, in accordance with all 
25 
relevant laws, rules, and regulations on data and information privacy and the pertinent 
26 
rules on confidentiality of government information. 
27 
 
28 
Any person who shall knowingly commit an act which results in the compromise of 
29 
the security and integrity of the IGN and all networks interconnected to and interoperable 
30 
with it to the detriment of the government and the public shall incur criminal liability in 
31 
accordance with the provisions of applicable laws. 
32 
 
33 
SEC. 39. Responsibility of the National and Local Governments. - All agencies, 
34 
offices, and instrumentalities of the national and local governments under this Act shall 
35 
be responsible for: 
36 
 
37 
a) 
Providing information security protections commensurate with the risk and 
38 
magnitude of the harm resulting from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, 
39 
disruption, modification, or destruction of information collected or maintained by or 
40 
on behalf of the agency; and information systems used or operated by an agency or 
41 
by a contractor of an agency or other organization on behalf of an agency; 
42 
 
43 
b) 
Determining the levels of information security appropriate to protect such 
44 
information and information systems and implementing the same; 
45 
 
46 


c) 
Periodically testing and evaluating  information security controls and techniques to 
1 
ensure that they are effectively implemented; 
2 
 
3 
d) 
Complying with the requirements of pertinent laws on information security and 
4 
privacy, related policies, procedures, standards, and guidelines, including 
5 
information security standards promulgated by the DICT; and information security 
6 
standards and guidelines for national security systems issued in accordance with 
7 
law and as directed by the President; and 
8 
 
9 
e) 
Ensuring that information security management processes are integrated with 
10 
agency strategic and operational planning processes. 
11 
 
12 
CHAPTER 9 
13 
PARTICIPATION OF THE PRIVATE SECTOR 
14 
 
15 
SEC. 40. Government Cooperation with the Private Sector. - Nothing in this Act 
16 
shall prevent the government, both national and local, from entering into contracts, 
17 
agreements, or partnerships with the private sector to provide various resources, assets, 
18 
and services in order to comply or enhance compliance with the provisions of this Act, 
19 
subject to applicable laws, rules and regulations on public accountability, transparency 
20 
and good governance. 
21 
 
22 
CHAPTER 10 
23 
THE PHILIPPINE INFOSTRUCTURE MANAGEMENT CORPORATION 
24 
 
25 
SEC. 41. The Philippine Infostructure Management Corporation. - For the 
26 
purpose of ensuring proper and efficient operations and management of the ICT assets 
27 
of the DICT, and a faster implementation of infrastructure programs related to 
28 
connectivity, data center and cloud infrastructure, there is hereby established a body 
29 
corporate to be known as Philippine lnfostructure Management Corporation (PIMC). The 
30 
PIMC shall be an attached agency to the DICT, and shall exist for a period of fifty (50) 
31 
years from the date of the approval of this Act. The PIMC shall be subject to the rules and 
32 
regulations as the DICT may impose from time to time. 
33 
 
34 
SEC. 42. Powers and Functions. - 
To carry out its main purpose and in 
35 
accordance with applicable laws and rules, the PIMC shall have, in addition to any and 
36 
all powers granted to a corporation under the general corporation laws of the Philippines, 
37 
the following functions and powers: 
38 
 
39 
a) 
Plan and implement infrastructure programs, such as, but not limited to, the National 
40 
Broadband Plan, Free WiFi for All, and expansion of the National Government Data 
41 
Centers and Government Cloud; 
42 
 
43 
b) 
Manage ICT assets of the DICT; 
44 
 
45 
c) 
Prescribe, repeal, and alter its own by-laws; 
46 


 
1 
d) 
Determine its operating policies, and to issue such rules and regulations as may be 
2 
necessary to achieve its main purpose; 
3 
 
4 
e) 
Adopt, alter and use a corporate seal; 
5 
 
6 
f) 
Acquire and own real and personal property, and to sell, mortgage or otherwise 
7 
dispose of the same; 
8 
 
9 
g) 
Sue and be sued, enter into contracts, and borrow money from both local and foreign 
10 
sources; Provided, That such loans shall be incurred only upon favorable 
11 
recommendation of the DICT and upon approval by the President of the Philippines; 
12 
 
13 
h) 
Hold, own, purchase, acquire, sell or otherwise invest, or reinvest in stocks, bonds 
14 
or other securities capable of giving the PIMC a reasonably assured income 
15 
sufficient to support its activities; and 
16 
 
17 
i) 
Provide ICT counseling and technical services to government and private entities, 
18 
on its own or by contracting third party consultants to render such service.  
19 
 
20 
SEC. 43. Board of Trustees. - The corporate powers and functions of the PIMC 
21 
shall be vested in and exercised by a Board of Trustees that shall be composed of the 
22 
following: 
23 
 
24 
a) 
The Secretary of the DICT, as ex officio Chairman and Chief Executive Officer; 
25 
 
26 
b) 
The Undersecretary of the DICT, as the ex officio Executive Vice Chairman; 
27 
 
28 
c) 
The Commissioner of the National Telecommunications Commission, or his/her 
29 
duly designated undersecretary, as ex officio member; 
30 
 
31 
d) 
The Undersecretary of the Department of Budget and Management, or his/her duly 
32 
designated undersecretary, as ex officio member;  
33 
 
34 
e) 
The Undersecretary of the Department of Interior and Local Government, or his/her 
35 
duly designated undersecretary, as ex officio member; 
36 
 
37 
f) 
One (1) representative from the private sector from the Information Technology and 
38 
Business Process Outsourcing Industry, who shall be appointed by the President of 
39 
the Philippines; 
40 
 
41 
g) 
One (1) representative from the private sector from the Telecommunications 
42 
Industry, who shall be appointed by the President of the Philippines; and 
43 
 
44 
h) 
One (1) representative each from the League of Provinces of the Philippines, 
45 
League of Cities of the Philippines, League of Municipalities of the Philippines and 
46 


Liga ng mga Barangay.  
1 
 
2 
 
The representatives from the private sector shall be appointed only upon a 
3 
favorable recommendation of the DICT and the Government Commission on GOCCs. 
4 
They shall be persons of unquestionable integrity, probity, and intellect, at least thirty-five 
5 
(35) years of age, possessed with demonstrated administrative skill and ability in the field 
6 
of ICT, and with a minimum of ten (10) years of professional experience in the ICT sector.  
7 
 
 
8 
 
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the PIMC shall execute and administer the 
9 
policies and resolutions approved by the Board of Trustees, prepare its agenda, and 
10 
direct and supervise the operations and management of the Corporation. The CEO shall 
11 
have direct control and supervision of the business of the PIMC in all matters which are 
12 
not by this Act or by the by-laws of the Corporation specifically reserved to be done by 
13 
the Board of Trustees.  
14 
 
 
15 
 
All members of the Board shall serve for a term of seven (7) years. The Chairman 
16 
shall have authority, exercisable at his discretion, to determine from time to time the 
17 
organizational divisions to be headed by each member serving full time and to make the 
18 
corresponding shifts in designations pursuant thereto. The compensation of the Chairman 
19 
and the members of the Board of Trustees shall be in accordance with applicable laws, 
20 
rules and regulations on compensation in the civil service. 
 
21 
 
22 
 
The Chairman of the Board shall be assisted by an Executive Vice-Chairman and 
23 
one or more Vice-Chairmen who shall be chosen and may be removed by the Board of 
24 
Trustees. The salaries of the Vice-Chairmen shall be fixed by the Board of Trustees with 
25 
the approval of the President of the Philippines. 
26 
 
27 
SEC. 44. Authorized Capital Stock. - The PIMC shall have an authorized capital 
28 
stock of Five Billion pesos  (PHP5,000,000,000.00), divided into Five  Million (5,000,000) 
29 
shares of common stock with a par value of One Thousand Pesos (PHP1,000.00) per 
30 
share, which shall be fully subscribed by the government. 
31 
 
32 
Of the total capital subscribed by the government, One Billion Pesos 
33 
(PHP1,000,000,000.00) shall be paid by the Government within one year from the 
34 
effectivity of this Act, and the remaining subscribed capital shall be paid in four (4) equal 
35 
annual installments of One Billion Pesos (PHP1,000,000,000.00) each every year 
36 
thereafter. The budget for the payment of such subscription price shall be appropriated in 
37 
the annual General Appropriations Act.  
38 
 
39 
SEC. 45.  Personnel; Cost of Administration. - The Board of Trustees shall 
40 
provide for an organization and staff of officers and employees necessary to carry out the 
41 
functions of the PIMC, fix their compensation, and appoint and remove such officers and 
42 
employees for cause. The PIMC officers and employees shall be subject to the rules and 
43 
regulations issued by the Civil Service Commission but shall not fall under the Salary 
44 
Standardization Law. The Board of Trustees shall recommend to the Civil Service 
45 
Commission rules and regulations for the recruitment, appointment, compensation, 
46 


administration, conduct, promotion and removal of all PIMC officers and employees under 
1 
a strict merit system with appropriate assessment system regarding knowledge and 
2 
expertise on ICT-related matters.  
3 
 
4 
The administrative expenses of the PIMC during any single fiscal year shall not in 
5 
any case exceed five percent (5%) of its total assets. 
6 
 
7 
SEC. 46. Legal Counsel. - The Secretary of Justice shall be the ex-officio legal 
8 
adviser of the PIMC. Any provision of law to the contrary notwithstanding, the PIMC shall 
9 
have its own Legal Department, the chief and members of which shall be appointed by 
10 
the Board of Trustees. The composition, budget and operating expenses of the Office of 
11 
the Legal Counsel and the salaries and traveling expenses of its officers and employees 
12 
shall be fixed by the Board of Trustees and paid by the PIMC. 
13 
 
14 
SEC. 47. Removal of members. -The President of the Philippines may, at any time, 
15 
remove the Chairman or any member of the Board appointed by him/her for cause as 
16 
recognized under existing laws, rules and regulations, and for any of the following causes: 
17 
 
18 
a) 
Mismanagement, grave abuse of discretion, infidelity in the conduct of fiduciary 
19 
relations, or gross neglect in the performance of duties; 
20 
 
21 
b) 
Dishonesty, corruption, or any act involving moral turpitude; or 
22 
 
23 
c) 
Any act or performance tending to prejudice or impair the substantial rights of the 
24 
government and the corporation's stockholders. 
25 
 
26 
The Chairman or member may, in any of the above cases, be civilly liable for any 
27 
damage that may have been suffered by the corporation. 
28 
 
29 
SEC. 48. Timeline of organization of the PIMC. - The PIMC shall be established 
30 
and organized within one (1) year from effectivity of this Act. 
31 
 
32 
CHAPTER 11 
33 
THE ICT ACADEMY 
34 
 
35 
SEC. 49. Establishment of the ICT Academy and its purposes. - The DICT shall 
36 
establish and develop rules and policies for the operations of an ICT Academy that shall 
37 
have the following purposes: 
38 
 
39 
a) 
To foster and support the strategic goals of the national ICT development agenda 
40 
through data collection and globally competitive ICT skills development programs; 
41 
 
42 
b) 
To promote the education and training of citizens in ICT skills, for purposes of 
43 
enhancing the nation's labor capacity in relation to the most relevant and updated 
44 
data on local and international skills supply and demand; 
45 
 
46 


c) 
To promote the development of globally competitive skills and drive an inclusive 
1 
economic growth; 
2 
 
3 
d) 
To promote, foster, and nurture the right of all citizens to quality education in ICT; 
4 
 
5 
e) 
To lead the country in setting standards in the development of ICT curriculum and 
6 
training; 
7 
 
8 
f) 
To create and foster partnerships with different persons, entities, and institutions 
9 
for purposes of developing and updating the Academy's resources, its ICT 
10 
curriculum, modules, pedagogical approaches; and 
11 
 
12 
g) 
To regularly assess the state of the country in terms of comparative ICT skills and 
13 
performance, and suggest responsive policies to address concerns. 
14 
 
15 
The ICT Academy provided under this Act shall be integrated with the existing ICT 
16 
Academy of the DICT or any similar unit therein in-charge of ICT training. The ICT 
17 
Academy shall also coordinate with the Technical Education and Skills Development 
18 
Authority (TESDA) with regard to its course offerings in order to ensure cooperation and 
19 
maximize the use of government resources.   
20 
 
21 
SEC. 50. Satellite units. - The ICT Academy shall have satellite units in all regions. 
22 
Satellite units shall also be established in other provinces or highly urbanized cities if, 
23 
upon determination of the DICT, in coordination and consultation with the Commission on 
24 
Higher Education (CHED) and TESDA, it is found to be necessary to ensure broader 
25 
access to quality ICT trainings and skills development. 
26 
 
27 
SEC. 51. Access and Admission. - The Academy shall be accessible to all citizens, 
28 
regardless of skill, age, gender, religious belief, economic status, ethnicity, physical 
29 
disability, and political opinion or affiliation. The DICT shall institute an admissions 
30 
process to ensure that citizens shall have equal access to ICT education. 
31 
 
32 
SEC. 52. Finances. - The Academy's operations shall be financially supported by 
33 
appropriations under the General Appropriations Act, all reasonable fees and dues 
34 
collected, and all donations made to the Academy. 
35 
 
36 
All income collected by the Academy shall be retained and disbursed for the benefit 
37 
of the students, faculty, trainers, and advisers; for the acquisition, construction, and 
38 
maintenance needs of the Academy, and the proper administration of its programs and 
39 
the attainment of the purposes of the Academy; Provided, That such retention and 
40 
disbursement shall be subjected to applicable laws and rules on government audit and 
41 
accountability. 
42 
 
43 
Donations and fees collected shall be held in a fund, to be administered in trust by 
44 
a Committee created by the DICT for such purpose. The fund shall in no case be impaired 
45 
and shall be used only for the purposes for which they were donated. 
46 


 
1 
SEC. 53. Partnerships. - The Academy may form partnerships with different 
2 
educational institutions and private entities for the purpose of achieving the goals of the 
3 
Academy. Partnerships may be in the form of resource sharing, module and training 
4 
development, faculty exchange, standard development, trainings collaboration, and other 
5 
similar forms. All partnerships to be entered into by the Academy shall be in accordance 
6 
with the law, approved by the DICT Secretary, and shall not require the disbursement of 
7 
any funds by the Academy or the government. 
8 
 
9 
CHAPTER 12 
10 
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS 
11 
 
12 
SEC. 54. Transitory provisions. - In accordance with the objectives of this Act, the 
13 
DICT, in coordination with relevant government agencies and instrumentalities, as well 
14 
as private stakeholders and civic organizations, shall study, formulate, and implement a 
15 
master plan for the transition of the government and its provision of services in the digital 
16 
age. 
17 
 
18 
For purposes of this Act, until such time that the government shall have completed 
19 
the transition in accordance with the provisions of this Act, all government activities 
20 
covered under this Act shall be conducted in the manner provided for under existing laws, 
21 
rules and regulations. 
22 
 
23 
The government shall complete the transition in a maximum of five (5) years from 
24 
effectivity of this Act. 
25 
 
26 
SEC. 55. Regular Status Reports. - All agencies, offices, and instrumentalities of 
27 
the national and local governments covered under this Act shall submit to the Congress, 
28 
the President, and to the DICT, an annual report on the status of implementation of this 
29 
Act. These reports shall likewise be made publicly available on and through the e-portals. 
30 
The consolidated report shall be submitted to the President and the Congress of the 
31 
Philippines on or before June 30 of each year. 
32 
 
33 
SEC. 56. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to cover the initial 
34 
implementation of this Act in the national government level shall be charged against the 
35 
current year's appropriation of the national government agency, office, or instrumentality 
36 
concerned. Thereafter, such sums as may be needed for its continued implementation 
37 
shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act. 
38 
 
39 
The amount necessary to implement this Act in the local government level shall be 
40 
charged against the funds of the local government unit concerned. 
41 
 
42 
SEC. 57. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety (90) days from the 
43 
effectivity of this Act, the DICT, in coordination with relevant offices, agencies, and 
44 
instrumentalities of the national and local governments, and upon consultation with other 
45 


stakeholders, shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations to properly and 
1 
efficiently implement this Act. 
2 
 
3 
SEC. 59. Separability clause. - If any provision of this Act shall be declared invalid 
4 
or unconstitutional, such declaration shall not affect the validity of the remaining 
5 
provisions of this Act. 
6 
 
7 
SEC. 60. Repealing clause. - All provisions of laws, presidential decrees, letters of 
8 
instruction and other presidential issuances which are incompatible or inconsistent with 
9 
the provisions of this Act are hereby deemed amended or repealed. 
10 
 
11 
SEC. 61. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect within fifteen (15) days following its 
12 
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) national newspapers of general 
13 
circulation. 
14 
 
15 
 
Approved 
16