Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
19TH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ___ 
Introduced by Representative Michael L. Romero 
    EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) is the primary 
intelligence gathering and analysis arm of the Government of the Philippines in 
charge of carrying out overt, covert, and clandestine intelligence activities. The 
NICA cooperates with friendly countries and government agencies in and out of 
the country by posting agents as liaison officers. 
The NICA is led by a Director-General, who reports directly to the President of 
the Philippines, and is assisted by a Deputy Director-General. 
The National Intelligence Committee, chaired by the Director-General, serves as 
the advisory body of NICA. 
On March 6, 2007, President Arroyo signed Republic Act No. 9372, also known 
as the Human Security Act of 2007, which designates the NICA as the 
Secretariat of the Anti-Terrorism Council (ATC).
On June 3, 2020, President Rodrigo Duterte signed Republic Act No. 11479, 
also known as the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020, which repealed the Human 
Security Act of 2007. Pursuant to the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020, the NICA 
remains as the Secretariat of the ATC. However, NICA has also now been tasked 
to provide its recommendation on an application for proscription seeking to 
declare any individual or group as a terrorist before the Court of Appeals. Such 
application for proscription may only be filed by the DOJ, subject to the authority 
of the ATC. 
October 20, 2022
11:47 am
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This House Bill seeks to provide Modernization Funding to the National 
Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA), tocarrying out overt, covert, 
and clandestine intelligence activities. 
. 
Thus, the early passage of this bill is earnestly requested.  
MICHAEL L. ROMERO  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
19TH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ___ 
Introduced by Representative Michael L. Romero 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR MODERNIZATION FUNDINGFOR THE NATIONAL 
INTELLIGENCE COORDINATING AGENCY (NICA), INCREASING 
AND REORGANIZING ITS ADMINISTRATION, TOCARRY OUT 
OVERT, COVERT, AND CLANDESTINE INTELLIGENCE ACTIVITIES
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. 
DECLARATION OF POLICY – It shall hereby be a 
declared policy of the State to foster the principles that sets the strategic policy 
goals and objectives of the administration in order to attain the state or 
condition wherein the national interests of the Philippines, the well-being of its 
people and institutions; and its sovereignty and territorial integrity are protected 
and enhanced. 
The state shall be very cognizant on national security related matters, provide 
supervision and guidance over the NICA and general supervision over the 
intelligence community, and coordinate the national government efforts in the 
pursuit of the national security goals and strategic objectives. 
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The state shall foster a national security institution that is responsive to the 
changing challenges and opportunities, within and outside the country and a 
policy advisory body that will effectively contribute to the provision of an enabling 
environment that will enhance socio-economic development and national 
governance. 
The state shall continually improve the effectiveness of our Quality 
Management System towards equitable development for improved quality of life 
for all. 
The state shall formulate policies for the efficient and effective administration 
and management of all manpower, skills and competencies to ensure 
compliance. 
SECTION 
2. 
MODERNIZATION FUNDING. – The amount of Five 
Hundred Million Pesos (Php 500,000,000.00) for the operation and 
administration of the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) shall 
be chargeable against funds for the purpose and other sources recommended by 
the Department of Budget and Management (DBM). Thereafter, appropriations 
for the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) shall be included in 
the budget proposals under the Department of National Defense (DND). 
 
The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) shall rationalize the existing 
organizational structure and staffing pattern of the National Intelligence 
Coordinating Agency (NICA) in accordance with the provisions of this Act and 
relevant compensation and position classification laws, rules and regulations. 
Thereafter, the amount needed for the continued implementation of the 
modernization program, shall be included in the annual General Appropriations 
Act (GAA). 


SECTION 
3. 
NATIONAL 
INTELLIGENCE 
COORDINATING 
AGENCY (NICA) MODERNIZATION FUND – There is hereby created the (NICA) 
Modernization Fund to be used exclusively for the (NICA) Modernization Program. 
The (NICA) Modernization Fund shall be administered by the Secretary of the 
DND in accordance with existing government budgeting, accounting and 
auditing rules and regulations. 
SECTION 
4. 
PROGRESS REPORT – The Secretary of DND shall 
prepare an annual report on the status of the implementation of the (NICA) 
Modernization Programs which shall be submitted, to the Office of the President 
and to the Chairpersons of the Committee of National Defense and Security of 
the Senate and the House of Representatives. 
SECTION 
5. 
PERIOD OF IMPLEMENTATION – The modernization 
program under this Act shall be implemented for an initial period of two (2) 
years:  
Provided, that payments for multi-year contract obligations incurred 
under this Act may extend beyond this period:  
Provided, 
further, That 
the 
National 
Intelligence 
Coordinating 
Agency (NICA) shall continue to develop, modernize and constantly update its 
operational capabilities to keep pace with best global practices. 
SECTION 
6. 
POWERS 
AND 
FUNCTIONS. – 
The 
National 
Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) shall continue to exercise and 
uphold the following powers and functions; but not limited to: 
a) conduct and coordinate national intelligence activities; 
b) fulfill strategic intelligence needs of the Philippine government; 
c) provide the National Intelligence Estimate for purposes of national security 
policymaking; 


d) lead counterintelligence activities; 
e) serve as the Secretariat of the Anti-Terrorism Council; and 
f) serve as the Head of the Situational Awareness and Knowledge Management 
Cluster of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict 
SECTION 
7. 
INCREASE OF PERSONNEL. – The National Intelligence 
Coordinating Agency (NICA) shall maintain the sufficient staffing pattern. 
Hence, it is authorized to increase its manpower to meet such required and may 
continue to increase personnel per percentage rate increase of committed 
mandates annually or as the need arises. 
SECTION 
8. 
TRANSITORY 
PROVISION – 
Existing 
industries, 
businesses and offices affected by the implementation of this Act shall be given 
six (6) months transitory period from the effectivity of the IRR or such other 
period as may be determined, to comply with the requirements of this Act. 
SECTION 
9. 
IMPLEMENTING RULES AND REGULATIONS. – The 
departments and agencies charged with carrying out the provisions of this Act 
shall, within sixty (60) days after the effectivity of this Act, formulate the 
necessary rules and regulations for its effective implementation. 
SECTION 
10. 
REPEALING CLAUSE. – All laws, decrees, executive 
orders, rules and regulations, or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions 
of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
SECTION 
11. 
SEPARABILITY CLAUSE. – If, for any reason, any 
section or provision of this Act is held unconstitutional or invalid, the other 
sections or provisions hereof shall not be affected thereby. 
SECTION 
12. 
EFFECTIVITY CLAUSE. – This Act shall take effect 
after fifteen (15) days from its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two 
(2) national newspapers of general circulation whichever comes earlier. 


Approved,