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NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHIUPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S. B. No. 627
lenatE
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■22 JUL 14 P3 :35
RECEIVEI
Introduced by Senator SONNY ANGARA
AN ACT
STRENGTHENING THE DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION CAPACITY OF ALL 
LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITSf AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT 
NO. 7160 OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE OF 
1991, AS AMENDED, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The ability of information and communications technology (ICT) to accelerate 
information dissemination, improve efficiency of public services, increase the 
transparency and accountability of government administration, to reduce corruption, 
and facilitate citizen participation in local governance have been subject of various 
published literature.1 With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have seen several 
of our local government units (LGUs) increasingly embrace digital technologies. 
Further, to better engage the citizenry, the Department of the Interior and Local 
Government (DILG) has urged all LGUs to bolster digital economy and move towards 
digitized government transactions to reduce contact, prevent further contagion, and 
boost economic activity as the country continues to battle the pandemic.
In order for our LGUs to better address the fundamental challenges associated 
with the new normal, ICT development and digitalization, this bill proposes the 
appointment of an Information and Communications Technology Officer (ICTO). The 
I CTO shall act as the over-all officer in charge for ail ICT concerns of the municipality, 
city or province, including but not limited to:
1 https://www.adb.org/pubiications/pubiic-service-deiivet7-roie-information-and-communication-technoiogy- 
improving-governance


a. the development, adoption, deployment, improvement and maintenance of ICT 
technologies, platforms, systems and solutions utilized by the said LGU;
b. formulating measures that would ensure the digitization of public documents 
and digitalization of government processes;
c. guide the LGU concerned in its digital transformation efforts, expedite change 
and minimize complications.
As the service delivery units of the national government, our LGUs need to be 
supported by sustainable mechanisms to ensure continuous and sustainable use 
of ICTs In their level. This can only be achieved with a specific officer mandated to 
focus on empowering and assisting all local departments within the LGU in utilizing 
and harnessing ICTs. Without sustainability and comprehensive planning and 
support, the national goal of ensuring digital transformation across the country will 
be difficult to achieve. Hence, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought.
SONNY ANGARA


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
SENA5:
ot !l)f *>rtrtiarji
•22 JUL14 P3 35
RECEIVED BY;
S. B. No
Introduced by Senator SONNY ANGARA
AN ACT
STRENGTHENING THE DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION CAPACITY OF ALL 
LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT 
NO. 7160 OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE OF 1991 
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines 
in Congress assembled:
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SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Local Information
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and Communications Technology Officer Act"
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SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared a policy of the State to
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develop, harness, and integrate information and communication technology across all
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levels of government in the country to ensure transparent, accountable, efficient and
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participatory governance. Pursuant to this policy, the State shall provide for a local
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government position that will be responsible and accountable for the implementation
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of digital transformation in the local government units.
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SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act:
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a) Digitization - refers to the technical conversion of physical, analog originals to
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digital copies by means of electronic devices;
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b) Digitalization - refers to the adoption of digital technologies to upgrade
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business processes and models in order to create better ways of providing
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service and obtaining greater benefits;
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c) Digital Transformation - refers to cultural, organizational and operational
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change of an organization, industry or ecosystem through a smart integration


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of digital technologies, processes and competencies across all levels and
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functions in a staged and strategic way;
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d) Digital skiiis - refer to a range of skills, encompassing a combination of
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behaviors, expertise, know-how, work habits, character traits, dispositions, and
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critical understanding on the use of digital devices, communication applications,
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and networks to access and manage information;
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e) Digitai services - refer to public or private services that can be delivered
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through digital communication, such as Internet, mobile phone network that
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might include delivery of digital information, data or content or transactional
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services;
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f) Digital technology- refers to any product or service that can be used to create,
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view, distribute, modify, store, retrieve, transmit, and receive information
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electronically in a digital form such as personal computers and devices like
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desktop, laptop, netbook, tablet computer, smart phones, games consoles,
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media players, e-book readers, as well as digital television, robots, personal
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assistant smart devices, and smart boards;
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g) Digital tools- refer to technologies used for a given purpose or for carrying out
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a particular function of information processing, communication, content
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creation, safety or problem solving.
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h) E-readiness (electronic readiness)- refers to a measure of the degree to which
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a country is prepared to partake in electronic activities and, thus, benefit from
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ICT in education.
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i) Innovation - refers to the creation of new ideas using new or existing
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technologies that results in the development of new or improved products,
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processes, or services, which are then spread or transferred across the market
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SEC. 4. Section 443 (a) of Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the Local
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Government Code of 1991, hereinafter referred to as the "Code", is hereby amended
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to read as follows:
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"Sec. 443. Officials of the Municipal Government -
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"(a) There shall be in each municipality a municipal mayor, a municipal
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vice-mayor, sangguniang bayan members, a secretary to the
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sangguniang bayan, a municipal treasurer, a municipal assessor, a


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municipal accountant, a municipal budget officer, a municipal planning 
and development coordinator, a municipal engineer/building official, a 
munidpa! health officer and a municipal civil registrar [7]. A
MUNICIPAL INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS 
TECHNOLOGY OFFICER (ICTO) SHALL ALSO BE APPOINTED: 
PROVIDED, THAT THE MUNICIPALITY HAS THE OPTION TO 
APPOINT AN ICTO OR MERGE SUCH POSITION TO AN 
EXISTING POSITION OR OFFICIAL IN A RELATED OFFICE, 
UNIT OR DEPARTMENT IN THE MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT: 
PROVIDED, FURTHER, THAT IF THE MUNICIPALITY SHALL 
APPOINT AN ICTO, THE MUNICIPALITY HAS THE OPTION TO 
SET THE RANK, REMUNERATION AND OTHER EMOLUMENTS 
OF THE MUNICIPAL ICTO SUBJECT TO EXISTING LAWS, 
RULES AND REGULATIONS.
"(b) XXX 
"(c) XXX 
"(d) XXX 
"(e) XXX."
SEC. 5. Section 454 (a) of the Code is hereby amended to read as follows: 
"Sec. 454. Officials of the City Government
"(a) There shall be in each city a mayor, a vice-mayor, sangguniang 
panlungsod members, a secretary to the sangguniang panlungsod, a 
city treasurer, a city assessor, a city accountant, a city budget officer, 
a city planning and development coordinator, a city engineer, a city 
health officer, a city civil registrar, a city administrator, a city legal 
officer, a city veterinarian, a city social welfare and development 
officer, and a city general services officer [7]. A CITY ICTO SHALL 
ALSO BE APPOINTED: PROVIDED, THAT THE CITY HAS THE 
OPTION TO APPOINT AN ICTO OR MERGE SUCH POSITION TO 
AN EXISTING POSITION OR OFFICIAL IN A RELATED OFFICE, 
UNIT OR DEPARTMENT IN THE CITY GOVERNMENT: 
PROVIDED, FURTHER, THAT IF THE CITY SHALL APPOINT AN


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ICTO, THE CITY HAS THE OPTION TO SET THE RANK, 
REMUNERATION AND OTHER EMOLUMENTS OF THE CITY 
ICTO SUBJECT TO EXISTING LAWS, RULES AND 
REGULATIONS.
"(b) XXX 
"(c) XXX 
"(d) XXX 
"(e) XXX."
SEC. 6. Section 463 (a) of the Code is hereby amended to read as follows: 
"Sec. 463. Officials of the Provincial Government 
"(a) There shall be in each province a governor, a vice-governor, 
members of the sangguniang panlalawigan, a secretary to the 
sangguniang panlalawigan, a provincial treasurer, a provincial 
assessor, a provincial accountant, a provincial engineer, a provincial 
budget officer, a provincial planning and development coordinator, a 
provincial legal officer, a prcvincial administrator, a provincial health 
officer, a provincial social welfare and development officer, a provincial 
general services officer, a provincial agriculturist, and a provincial 
veterinarian, [7]. A PROVINCIAL ICTO SHALL ALSO BE 
APPOINTED; PROVIDED, THAT THE PROVINCE HAS THE 
OPTION TO APPOINT AN ICTO OR MERGE SUCH POSITION TO 
AN EXISTING POSITION OR OFFICIAL IN A RELATED OFFICE, 
UNIT OR DEPARTMENT IN THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT: 
PROVIDED, FURTHER, THAT IF THE PROVINCE SHALL 
APPOINT AN ICTO, THE PROVINCE HAS THE OPTION TO SET 
THE RANK, REMUNERATION AND OTHER EMOLUMENTS OF 
THE PROVINCIAL ICTO SUBJECT TO EXISTING LAWS, RULES 
AND REGULATIONS.
"(b) XXX 
"(c) XXX 
"(d) XXX 
"(e) XXX."


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SEC. 7. A new Article XXI is hereby inserted in the Code and all subsections
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shall be re-sectioned, accordingly. Article XXI shall read as follows:
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"ARTICLE XXI
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"THE LOCAL INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY
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OFFICER
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"SECTION 491-A. QUALIFICATIONS, POWERS, AND
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DUTIES. - (A) NO PERSON SHALL BE APPOINTED AS
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INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY
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OFFICER UNLESS HE OR SHE IS A CITIZEN OF THE
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PHILIPPINES, A RESIDENT OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT
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UNIT CONCERNED, OF GOOD MORAL CHARACTER, A
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HOLDER OF A COLLEGE DEGREE ON INFORMATION AND
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COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY, COMPUTER SCIENCE,
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COMPUTER ENGINEERING, DATA SCIENCE, ELECTRONICS
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AMD COMMUNICATIONS ENGINEERING OR OTHER
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COURSES DIRECTLY RELEVANT TO ANY OF THE
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AFOREMENTIONED COURSES FROM A RECOGNIZED
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COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY, AND A FIRST GRADE CIVIL
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SERVICE ELIGIBLE OR ITS EQUIVALENT. HE OR SHE MUST
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HAVE ACQUIRED EXPERIENCE IN INFORMATION AND
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COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY AND RELATED
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EXPERIENCES FOR AT LEAST FIVE (5) YEARS IN THE CASE
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OF THE PROVINCE OR CITY, OR AT LEAST THREE (3)
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YEARS IN THE CASE OF THE MUNICIPALITY.
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THE APPOINTMENT OF AN INFORMATION AND
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COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY OFFICER SHALL BE
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MANDATORY FOR THE PROVINCIAL, CITY AND
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MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENTS.
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(B) THE INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS
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TECHNOLOGY OFFICER SHALL:
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(1) FORMULATE MEASURES FOR THE
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CONSIDERATION OF THE SANGGUNIAN AND PROVIDE


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TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND SUPPORT TO THE LOCAL 
CHIEF EXECUTIVE, IN CARRYING OUT MEASURES TO 
ENSURE THE DIGITIZATION OF PUBLIC DOCUMENTS, 
DIGITALIZATION OF GOVERNMENT PROCESS AND OVER­
ALL DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION OF GOVERNMENT
(2) DEVELOP PLANS AND STRATEGIES AND UPON 
APPROVAL THEREOF BY THE LOCAL CHIEF EXECUTIVE 
IMPLEMENT THE SAME, PARTICULARLY THOSE WHICH 
HAVE TO DO WITH DEVELOPING, HARNESSING, 
INTEGRATING AND UTILIZING INFORMATION AND 
COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY FOR THE DIGITAL 
TRANSFORMATION OF GOVERNMENT AND RELEVANT 
PURPOSES;
(3) IN ADDITION TO THE FOREGOING DUTIES AND 
FUNCTIONS, THE INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS 
TECHNOLOGY OFFICER SHALL:
(i) TAKE CUSTODY OF AND BE ACCOUNTABLE FOR 
ALL PROPERTIES, REAL OR PERSONAL, OWNED BY THE 
LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIT AND THOSE GRANTED TO IT 
IN THE FORM OF DONATION, REPARATION, ASSISTANCE 
AND COUNTERPART OF JOINT PROJECTS;
(ii) WITH THE APPROVAL OF THE LOCAL CHIEF 
EXECUTIVE, ASSIGN RESOURCES TO LOCAL OFFICIALS 
OR OTHER PUBLIC OFFICIALS, WHO BY LAW, ARE 
ENTITLED TO SUCH SPACES;
(iii) RECOMMEND TO THE LOCAL CHIEF EXECUTIVE, 
THE REASONABLE PURCHASE, LEASE OR RENTAL RATES 
OF DIGITAL EQUIPMENT FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF 
DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION;
(iv) DEVELOP, MAINTAIN AND SUPERVISE ALL 
OTHER INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS


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TECHNOLOGY PROGRAMS AND SERVICES OF THE LOCAL
GOVERNMENT;
(v) COLLATE AND DISSEMINATE INFORMATION 
REGARDING INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS 
TECHNOLOGY PROGRAMS AND SERVICES OF THE LOCAL 
GOVERNMENT TO THE PUBLIC,
(vi) PERFORM DATABASE AND RECORD 
MANAGEMENT WITH RESPECT TO RECORDS OF OFFICES 
AND DEPARTMENTS OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIT; 
AND
(vii) PERFORM ALL OTHER FUNCTIONS PERTAINING 
INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY 
PROGRAMS AND SERVICES OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT 
AND ENFORCE POLICIES IN RELATION THERETO;
(4) BE IN THE FRONTLINE OF INFORMATION AND 
COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY PROGRAMS AND 
SERVICES OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN PARTNERSHIP 
WITH PRIVATE SECTOR;
(5) DEVELOP, IMPLEMENT, AND EVALUATE ALL 
PROGRAMS AIMED AT ENSURING THAT ALL PERSONNEL 
UNDER HIS OR HER SUPERVISION INCLUDING HIMSELF 
OR HERSELF ARE CONSTANTLY TRAINED OR EXPOSED TO 
KNOWLEDGE IN INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION 
TECHNOLOGY AND OTHER RELEVANT AREAS;
(6) RECOMMEND TO THE SANGGUNIAN AND 
ADVISE THE LOCAL CHIEF EXECUTIVE, ON ALL OTHER 
MATTERS RELATIVE TO INFORMATION AND 
COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY; AND
(C) EXERCISE SUCH OTHER POWERS AND PERFORM 
SUCH OTHER DUTIES AND FUNCTIONS AS MAY BE 
PRESCRIBED BY LAW OR ORDINANCE."


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SEC. 8. Separability Clause. — If any part or provision of this Act shall be
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declared as unconstitutional or invalid, the other parts or provisions hereof which are
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not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.
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SEC. 9. Repeating Clause. — All laws, executive orders, presidential decrees,
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rules and regulations or parts thereof which are in conflict or inconsistent with the
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provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.
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SEC. 10. Effectivity. —• This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
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publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,