EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
Second Regular Session 
)
SENATE 
S. No. 1958
THE SfTL.
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Introduced by SENATOR RAMON BONG REVILLA, 3R.
AN ACT
CREATING THE CAGAYAN RIVER BASIN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY, 
PRESCRIBING ITS POWERS, FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES, PROVIDING FUNDS 
THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Cagayan River, or Rio Grande de Cagayan, is the longest river in the country at 
more than 500 kilometers. Civilizations and cultures of the region thrived and revolved 
around this mighty river. The river and its tributaries have provided the people with 
water for irrigating lands and fertile soil for agriculture, scenic spots for tourism and 
recreation, gateway for transportation and commerce, and other vital economic 
resources such as fish, sand and gravel, energy, among others. For centuries, the river 
has been a source of life and engine of growth for the region.
However, the onslaught of typhoon "Ulysses" (international name Vamco) on 
Noveniber 2020 in the Luzon Island and Its adverse impact in many provinces exposed 
the vulnerabilities of our environment, including the Cagayan River and its 
surroundings. While not directly hit by the storm, the northern provinces of Cagayan 
and Isabela were submerged in floodwaters. In Tuguegarao City alone, 41 of 49 
barangays were inundated with flood. Many families were left stranded on their 
rooftops crying for help and rescue. To illustrate to extent of the damage, the Buntun 
Bridge, which crosses the Cagayan River with a normal water level of only 4 meters, 
was nearly engulfed by the river as its waters rose to 13;3 meters. The flooding 
incident was unprecedented in the history of the province.


This bill seeks to create a superbody - the Cagayan River Basin Development 
Authority - that wiii harmonize muiti-sectoral efforts and oversee and accelerate the 
protection, rehabiiitation and development of the expansive Cagayan River basin 
which covers nine provinces (Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, Isabeia, Cagayan, Kalinga, 
Apayao, Ifugao, Mountain Province, and Aurora) across three regions (Cordiilera 
Administrative Region, Cagayan Valiey, and Central Luzon). It seeks to address the 
problems and issues of the Cagayan River through a multi-dimensional, science-based 
and integrated approach, and prevent the occurrence of another catastrophe simiiar 
to the recent flooding. Lastly, it seeks to further develop the unutilized potentials of 
the Cagayan River basin and spur more economic activities throughout Northern Luzon 
through sustainable strategies, long-term planning and inter-regional cooperation.
This bili has been filed before the House of Representatives as early as 2008 
during the Fourteenth Congress. In this light, the passage of this biil is earnestly 
sought.
RAMONySONG REVILLA, JR.


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHIUPPINES 
)
Second Regular Session 
)
SENATE 
S. No. 1958
2020
December
OATE
TtME¥
Introduced by SENATOR RAMON BONG REVILLA, JR.
AN ACT
CREATING THE CAGAYAN RIVER BASIN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY, 
PRESCRIBING ITS POWERS, FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES, PROVIDING FUNDS 
THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representative of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled:
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Section 1. Short Tide. — This Act shall be known as the "Cagayan River Basin
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Development Authority Act."
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Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to
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promote the integrated management and development of resources in the country's
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river basin, within the context of the river basin approach to optimize economic and
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social welfare without compromising the Sustainability of environmental system to
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ensure a fair sharing of the national patrimony between and among its people.
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Sec. 3. Purposes and Objectives. - It is the purpose, intent and objective of
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this Act to: ,
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a. Establish the legal-framework and mechanisms for the creation of the
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Cagayan Riyer Basin Development Authority;
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b. Consolidate and harmonize all development initiatives within the river basin
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under the overall framework of a unified river basin management, protection
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against environmental degradation, immediate rehabilitation and
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development approach;


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c. Maximize the participation of ali stakeholders in the area, establish the most
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effective approach to effect an active and sustainable collaboration among
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stakeholders from government agencies, non-government
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agencies/people's organizations and the private 
sector and communities
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within the area;
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d. Promote equitable sharing of costs and benefits from the basin's natural
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resources without compromising the river's preservation 
and sustainable
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usage; and
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e. Negotiate local and external Investment in the area, thereby generating
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required resources to support the implementation of required and necessary
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interventions (physical or services) increasing livelihood opportunities and
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facilitating the provision of needed social services for the people within the
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basin.
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Sec. 4. Creation of the Cagayan River Basin Deveiopment Authority. - For the
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purpose of carrying out and effecting the declared policy, as provided for in Section 2
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hereof as Well as its purposes and objectives, there is hereby created a corporate body
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to be known as the Cagayan River Basin Development Authority, hereinafter referred
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to as the Authority, under the Office of the President, which shall be organized within
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one hundred twenty (120) days after the approval of this Act. The Authority shall
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execute the powers and functions herein vested and conferred upon it in such a
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manner as well in its judgment, aid to the fullest possible extent in carrying out the
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aims and purposes of this Act.
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Sec. 5. Territoriai Jurisdiction. — The Authority shall have jurisdiction over all
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the areas within the watershed of the Cagayan River with origin from its headwaters
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in the Caraballo Mountains, and flowing through the provinces of Nueva Vizcaya,
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Quirino, Isabela, and Cagayan, as well as the provinces covered by the Cagayan River
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basin such as Aurora, Kalinga, Apayao, Ifugao and Mountain Province.
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Sec. 6. Location of Principai Office. - The Authority shall maintain its principal
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office at the most strategically located place in the region. It may, however, establish
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branch offices in other places necessary for the proper conduct of its business.


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Sec. 7. Powers and Functions. - In addition to the usual corporate powers and
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in order to effectively realize its objectives, the Authority shall be charged and vested
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with the following powers and functions:
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a. To spearhead the coordination of inter-agency activities within its
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jurisdiction in the implementation of the Cagayan River Basin Master Plan
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(CRBMP);
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b. To prepare, review, evaluate, and update the CRBMP in the interest of the
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Regional Development Plans of Region 2 and other area and sectoral plans
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as basis for proposing improvements In existing policies governing the
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protection, preservation, management and development of resources within
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the basin through legislation or other appropriate executive measures. In
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addition, the Cagayan River Basin Development Authority shall recommend
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to the President and the Congress matters that may require executive
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directives and congressional legislation in support of the objectives of the
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CRBMP;
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c. To coordinate the integration of all proposed plans, programs and projects
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of the local government units, line agencies/ public corporation and the
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private sector where such plans, programs and/or projects that are related
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to those of the Authority for the protection and rehabilitation and
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sustainable development of the basin;
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d. To Initiate, receive and recommend project proposals for the development,
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conservation and management of the basin's water resources;
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e. To engage In agriculture, industry, commerce, or other activities within the
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region which may be necessary or directly contributory to the socio-
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econorhic development of the region, and for these purposes, whether by
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itself or in cooperation with private persons or entitles, to organize, finance,
I
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invest In, and operate subsidiary corporations; Provided, That the Authority
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shall engage only, unless public interest requires otherwise in those
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activities that are in the nature of new ventures or are clearly beyond the
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scope, capacity, or interest or private enterprises due to consideration of
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geography, technical or capital requirements, returns on investment, and
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risk;


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f. To establish a functional basin information and database system, utilizing 
computer-generated pianning toois for use by planners, technical personnel 
and the general public in coilaboration with other information systems in 
order to encourage the mutually beneficial sharing of data;
g. To provide the machinery for extending the necessary assistance and 
seeking the same to iocal government units, iine agencies, pubiic 
corporations, the private sector, and affected indigenous culturai 
communities/jndigenous peopies in pianning for the development projects 
that have an overall impact upon the utilization of resources within the 
Cagayan River Basin;
h. To provide the machinery for extending the necessary technical assistance 
for the maintenance, repair and rehabilitation, as may be necessary, of 
Micro-Hydro System located within the area including the resolution of 
problems on siltation and flooding;
i. To coordinate and monitor ali planning, studies, design and implementation 
of various programs and projects for the deveiopment of the CRBMP to 
ensure that water and other resources in the river are not depieted and are 
developed and utilized in sustainable, equitable and economical manner;
j. To commission or undertake integrated studies, scientific researches, 
surveys and other such undertakings to determine such appropriate 
measures to carry out the deveiopment of the River Basin and to generate 
inputs in support to policy decisions;
k. To coordinate with existing government agencies in establishing water 
quality standards for industrial, agricultural and municipal waste discharge 
into the river and to cooperate with said existing agencies in enforcing such 
standards;
i. To undertake on improvement and maintenance of the desirabie water 
quality and in pursuance, thereof, prepare a water quality management 
program on a continuing basis in coordination with reievant agencies, which 
the Authority shail carry out with the assistance and support of ail national 
and local government units involved in water quaiity management;


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m. To provide assistance in arbitrating the resolution of inter-regional
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disputes/conflicts on water;
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n. To call upon any government agency/office or bureau for assistance in the
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discharge of and form committees to facilitate the performance of its
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functions and responsibilities. Likewise, the Authority is hereby empowered
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to impose sanctions on individuals and/or entities within its territorial
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jurisdiction who Implement projects that are not environmentally friendly;
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0. To receive grants, donations, and other forms of development assistance in
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the discharge of its duties. As such, the Authority may engage or invest on,
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or enter Into joint venture with Filipino or foreign investors in such projects
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within its jurisdiction as it may deem proper and necessary or contributory
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to the achievement and/or implementation of any or all of the purposes and
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objectives of this Act;
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p. To plan, program and/or undertake infrastructure projects such as river,
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flood, water and sewerage works, water supply, roads, irrigation, housing
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and related works when so required within the context of its development
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plans and programs including readjustment, relocation, or settlement of
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population within the Basin, as may be necessary and beneficial by the
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Authority; and
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q. To do any and all acts and to exercise all powers which may be necessary,
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proper or incidental to the accomplishment of the mandate, purposes, and
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objectives of this Act.
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Sec. 8. The Corporate Powers of the Authority. - The Authority shall have the
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following corporate powers:
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a. To succeed on its corporate name;
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b. To sue and be sued in such corporate name;
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c. To adopt, alter and use a corporate seal;
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d. To adopt, amend and repeal its by-laws;
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e. To undertake activities that will justifiably explore, exploit, extract and
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develop the economic potentials of the Cagayan River Basin in ways that
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are environmentally friendly and non-competitive with the private sector;


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f. To enter into contracts of any Kind and description, to enable it to carry out
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its purpose and function under this Act;
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g. To acquire, buy, purchase, hold or lease, such personal and real property
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as it deems it necessary or convenient in the transaction of its business
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and/or In relation to carrying out its purposes under this Act; and to lease,
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mortgage, sell, alienate or otherwise encumber, utilize, exploit, or dispose
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such personal and real property held by It, subject to prior or existing
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individual or communal right or private parties or of the government or any
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agency or enterprise thereof;
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h. To exercise the right of eminent domain wherever the Authority deems it
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necessary for the attainment of the objectives of the Authority under this
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Act;
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I. To borrow funds from any local or foreign financial institution to carry out
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the purposes of this Authority under this Act;
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j. To issue rules and regulations as may be necessary to effectively carry out
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the powers and the purposes herein provided including plans, programs and
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projects of the Authority, subject to the approval of the Office of the
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PreSident/or agencies supervising government corporations; and
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k. For carrying on its business, of for the purpose of attaining or furthering
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any of its objectives, to perform any and all acts which a corporation, co-
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partnership or natural person Is authorized to perform under the laws now
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existing or which may be enacted hereafter.
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Sec. 9. Organizational Structure.-Ihe. Authority shall have a Board of Directors
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and It shall be supported by a fully-staffed Management Office.
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Sec. 10. Board of Directors. - The affairs and business of the Authority shall be
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directed and its properties managed and preserved by a Board of Directors to be
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composed of the following:
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a. One (1) representative from the Office of the President;
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b. Regional Directors of the National Economic and Development Authority
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(NEDA) of Region II (Cagayan Valley) and Cordillera Administrative Region
31 
(CAR);


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c. Regional Director of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources
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(DENR) of Region II and CAR> and the Regional Technical Directors of the
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Mines and Geo-Sciences Bureau and the Environmental Management
4 
Bureau;
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d. Regional Director of the National Irrigation Administration of Region II;
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e. Regional Director of the Department of Agriculture of Region II and CAR;
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f. Regional Director of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)
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of Region II;
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g. Executive Director of the Nationai Water Resources Board;
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h. The Governors of the Provinces of Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Isabela,
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Cagayan, Ifugao, Apayao, Kalinga, Mountain Province and Aurora;
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i. Representative of the private investors;
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j. Representative of non-government organizations/people's organizations
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which champion environmental protection and sustainable development;
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Sec.; 11. Honorarium and other Financial Remunerations of the Board. - The
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member of the Board shall receive honorarium and per diems for every Meeting
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actually attended by every member and a monthly allowance to be determined by the
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Board; Provided, That in no case shail the arhount received by each member exceed
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the sum of Rve Thousand Pesos (P5,000.00) per month. A member of the Board shali
20 
be reimbursed by the Authority for actual expenses. Including travelling and
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representation expenses, incurred in the performance of their duties for the Authority
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as authorized by the Board.
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Sec. 12. Powers and Functions of the Board. - The Board of Directors of the
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Authority shall have the following powers, functions and duties:
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a. To prepare and approve development plans in the short, medium and long
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term, review and expedite the execution of such when necessary;
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b. To approve and execute specific policies and programs for the collection of
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permit fees and other fees for the establishment of tourism infrastructures
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and to treat these funds as trust funds which would be plowed back to the
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infrastructure and development needs of the Cagayan River Basin;
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c. To prepare, approve and promulgate guidelines, standards, rules and
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regulations In order to encourage, and stimulate the growth and


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development of commerce, trade, tourism and infrastructure development 
within the area of operation of the Authority;
d. To review and approve all applications for any economic endeavor proposed 
utilizing the resources of the Cagayan River Basin;
e. To approve contracts such as lease and memoranda of agreement that will 
promote tourism and the growth of business and industry in the Cagayan 
River Basin;
f. To receive local or foreign aid and donations as well as engage in any form 
of fund raising for the purpose of gathering development funds for the 
projects along Cagayan River Basin;
g. To approve a lean and efficient organization structure, and budget for the 
Authority after consultation with the relevant sectors, agencies, institutions, 
and entities;
h. To appoint and discipline any jemployee, after according him due process in 
accordance with existing laws, together with rules and regulations of the 
Civil Service Commission (CSC);
i. To elect from among the members of the Board of Directors the following 
executive offices: ■
1. President/Chairman of the Board;
2. Vice President/Vice-Chairman of the Board;
3. Secretary;
Provided, That the Board shall likewise have the corresponding power to 
replace any of these officials after havihg Incurred three (3) consecutive 
absences in the meeting of the Board or for acts prejudicial to the 
objectives of the Authority;
j. To screen and approve the appointment of the following: General Manager, 
Assistant General Manager, Treasurer, Administrative Officer, Planning and 
Development Officer, Budget and Finance Officer, Legal Officer, Project 
Management Officer, and Engineering and Construction Officer;
k. To request periodic dr special audit of all its funds and properties from the 
Commission on Audit when the need arises;


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I. To adopta seal arid flag/,determine the exact location of its office preferably
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near its area of opefation, and adopt its own rules and proceeding in
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meetings and general assemblies In accordance with the standards of
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transparency and parliamentary procedures; and
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m. To exercise such powers and perform such functions which are proper and
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necessary to Implement the objectives of the Authority and to carry out the
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provisions of this Act.
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Sec. 13. Term of Office of the General Manager. - The General Manager of the
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Authority shall serve for a fixed term of four (4) years, unless removed from office by
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a vote of two-thirds of the Board of Directors.
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Sec. 14. Residence and Prohibition. -The General Manager shall, if practicable,
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establish his residence within the nearest where the Cagayan River Basin Authority's
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Principal Office Is established. The General Manager shall not during his tenure of
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office, engage In any business, profession, or calling other than those connected with
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the performance of his official duties as the General Manager of the Authority.
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Section 15. Power and Duties of the Generai Manager. - The General Manager
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shall have the following powers and functions:
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a. Submit for consideration of the Board, the policies and measures necessary
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to carry out the purposed and provisions of this Act;
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b. Execute and administer the policies, plans, programs and projects approved
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by the Board;
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c. Direct and supervise the operation and internal administration of the
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Authority. The General Manager may delegate some of his administrative
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responsibilities to other officers of the Authority subject to the rules and
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regulations of the Board;
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d. Prepare the annual budget of the Authority for consideration of the Board;
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e. Submit within thirty (30) days after the close of each fiscal year, an annual
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report to the Board and such other reports as may be required;
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f. Exercise such other powers as may be vested in him by the Board;
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Qi Effect the arrest of any person who violates the provisions of this Act,
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subject to Article 125 and 126 of the Revised Penal Code and the
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requirements of due process.


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Sec. 16. Key Officials. - In carrying out the activities of the Authority, the
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General Manager shall be assisted by the Assistant General Manager who shall have
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powers, duties and functions that may be delegated to him by the General Manager,
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and shall act as General Manager in the absence of or during the temporary incapacity
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and/or until such time as a General Manager is duly appointed.
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The Authority shall have the following officers under the direct supervision and
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control of the General Manager:
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a. An Adnriinistrative Officer who shall be responsible for providing services
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relating to personnel, training, information, records, supplies, general
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services, equipment and security;
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b. A Planning and Development Officer who shall be responsible for providing
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services relating to planning, 
programming, statistics and project
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development;
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c. A Budget and Rnance Officer Who shall be responsible providing staff advice
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and assistance on budgetary matters and safekeeping of corporate assets;
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d. A Legal Officer who shall represent the Authority in legal actions and
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proceedings. The legal Officer shall be responsible for staff advice and
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assistance on legal matters;
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e. A Project Management Officer who shall be responsible for the operation
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of approved projects including livelihood projects, project evaluation and
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• management improvement matters;
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f. An Engineering and Construction Officer who shall be responsible for
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providing services related to detailed engineering plans and construction
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and maintenance of project facilities;
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Sec. 17. Funding. -The Authority's funding for its operations shall be born from
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appropriations for the Authority in the General Appropriations Act under the budget
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for the Office of the President.
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Sec. 18. Authority Directly Under the Department of the Environment and
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Natural Resources (DENR). - The Authority shall operate as an independent institution
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subject only to the administrative supervision of the Department of Environment and
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Natural Resources (DENR). *
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Sec. 19. Audit by the Commission on Audit (COA). - All accounts and expenses
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of the Authority shall be audited by the Commission bn Audit or its duiy authorized
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representative.
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Sec. 20. Prohibited Acts. - The following acts are hereby deciared uniawfui:
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a. To dump solid and hazardous waste and untreated sewage into the Cagayan
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River Basin;
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b. To dump or throw garbage into the Cagayan River or on its banks;
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c. To squat on or appropriate portion of the banks of the aforesaid river basin
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for private use or gain, except for such reasonable augment of public use in
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the interest of recreation, navigation, and fishing; and
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d. To fence off and/or encroach upon the said Cagayan River Basin or any
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portion thereof by any means whatsoever, and converting the same into
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fish pens for their private and material gain; and/or have the same titled In
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his name.
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Sec. 21. Pena! and Civil Liability Clause. - Any person, natural or juridical, who
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shall violate any of the provisions of this Act or any rules or regulation promulgated
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by the Authority pursuant thereto shall be liable to imprisonment of not exceeding
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three (3) years or a fine of not less than Ten Thousand Pesos (P10,000.00) but not
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exceeding One Hundred Thousand Pesos (P100,000.00) or both at the discretion of
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the court.
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If the violator is a corporation, partnership or association, the officers of the
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organization concerned shall be liable thereof.
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The authority Is hereby authorized to pursue separate civil actions for damages
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resulting from infractions of the provisions of this Act, rules or regulations issued
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pursuant thereto ahd/or conditions In the clearances or permit issued by the Authority.
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Sec. 22. Bar of Suit. - During the pendency of any legal action before the
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Authority, no court other than the Supreme Court shall take cognizance of any case
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touching the same subject without leave of Authority.
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Sec. 23. Finality of Orders and Appeals. - The orders of the Authority shall
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become final and executory after the lapse of fifteen (15) days from the date of receipt
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thereof. An appeal there from can be taken within fifteen (15) days period only to the
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Supreme Court.
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Sec. 24. Transitory Provisions. - All concerned offices, bureaus, agencies,
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having existing programs and projects in the Cagayan River Basin that directly
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correspond with the power and functions of the Authority shall relinquish all
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appropriations, funds, records, equipment, facilities, rights, other assets and personnel
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to the Authority within sixty (60) days after the effectivity of this Act.
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Sec. 25 Separabiiity Ciause. - If any provision or part hereof is held invalid or
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unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision or part not otherwise
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affected shall remain valid and subsisting.
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Sec. 26. Repeaiing Ciause.—Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive
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order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule, or regulation contrary to or
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inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, modified, or amended
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accordingly.
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Sec. 27. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after Its
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publication in iheOfUciai Gazette or In a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,
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