REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

1649

House Bill No.

Introduced by MAGDALO Party-List Representative
HON. MANUEL DG. CABOCHAN IIL

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Capital relocation has been a notable act among countries in order to encourage development
in a seemingly underdeveloped region. A window into this is Brasilia which experienced
rapid growth after its establishment as Brazil’s capital. Brazil’s capital change from Rio de
Janeiro to Brasilia in 1961 was considered very successful, and many countries have been
inspired by Brazil’s capital relocation achievement.

Since 1976, Manila has been the national capital of the Philippies. It is also considered as the
seat of the national government of the Philippines yet, many government agencies still sit
outside the said city. To better administer government transactions as well as spur
development in other areas of the country, it is high time to review whether Manila shall be
retained as the capital and the seat of the national government.

It is therefore imperative for Congress to create a Commission to comprehensively study the
potential capital relocation and transfer of the permanent seat of the national government of
the from Manila.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this Act is earnestly sought.

Represenhalivg
Magdalo Pafa sa Pilipino Party-List


REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No, _ 1649

Introduced by MAGDALO Party-List Representative
HON. MANUEL DG. CABOCHAN II

AN ACT
CONSTITUTING A COMMISSION FOR THE PURPOSE OF STUDYING THE
FEASIBILITY AND DESIRABILITY OF RELOCATING THE NATIONAL
CAPITAL AND SEAT OF GOVERNMENT OF THE PHILIPPINES AND FOR
OTHER RELEVANT PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Organization.- The National Capital Commission, hereinafter referred
to as the “Commission”, is hereby created and constituted in order to study possibility and
feasibility of the relocation of the national capital and the transfer of the permanent seat of the
government of the Philippines.

SEC. 2. Definition of Terms. — As used in this Act, the following terms shall be
construed as follows:

a. National Capital — The capital city of a nation.

b. Seat of Government — encompasses the three (3) main branches of the national
government including its administrative departments, central offices and
instrumentalities of the national government.

SEC. 3. Composition.- The Commission shall be composed of the chairman and two
(2) commissioners to be appointed by the President of the Republic. The chairman and
commissioners shall have the rank of cabinet secretaries and undersecretaries, respectively,
with the following qualifications:

A. Filipino;
B. At least thirty five (35) years of age;
C. With relevant educational qualification, training and experience in city and/or

urban planning, design and/or community development and/or other relevant
fields.


SEC. 4, Temporary Detail of Public Officials and Employees. ~The President, upon
request and recommendation of the Commission, may temporarily detail to the commission
such public officers and/or personnel from other departments or agencies which may be
required by the Commission. The detailed officers or personnel may be paid honoraria and/or
allowance as may be authorized by law, subject to pertinent accounting and auditing rules
and regulations,

SEC. 5. Mandate. It shall be the mandate of the Commission to study and
recommend possibility and feasibility of the transfer or non-transfer of the national capital
and permanent seat of the government of the Philippines.

In the event that the Commission finds the transfer to be feasible, it shall also identify
and recommend prospective relocation/transfer sites, and the process through which such
relocation and/or transfer can be reasonably carried out.

In case of a recommendation not to transfer the national capital and seat of
government of the Republic, the Commissison shall also submit its recommendations on how
to best improve the existing state of affairs in the City of Manila and the National Capital
Region (NCR), with the end in view of promoting more effective and efficient government
service, and enabling the City of Manila and the NCR to meet the challenge of serving as
national capital and seat of government in the decades to come.

SEC. 6. Secretariat and Technical Committee.- The Commission shall organize its
Secretariat which shall provide administrative and technical support to the Commission. The
Commission and its Secretariat shall hold office at such venue as the Commission may deem
appropriate.

‘The Commission is hereby authorized to create technical committees and designate
members thereof, and may engage the assistance of experts and professional consultants and
advisors, subject to government existing rules and regulations.

SEC. 7. Organization and Term of Office. The organization of the Commission, its
committees and sub-offices, as well as the appointment of the members thereof shall be
completed within six (6) months from the approval of this Act.

The Commission shall complete its work not later than three (3) years from the date
of approval of this Act, and shall submit to the President of the Philippines, a report of the
work undertaken by it together with its corresponding recommendations.

SEC. 8. Termination. — Upon completion of its work and the submission of its report,
the Commission shall cease to exist and the services of the Commissioners and members of
the Secretariat and Technical Committee shall terminate. The temporary detail of officers or
personnel coming from other government department and agencies shall be co-terminous
herewith.

SEC. 9. Appropriation.- The amount necessary to implement the provisions of this
act shall be included by the Department of Budget and Management in the annual General
Appropriations Act (GAA).


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SEC. 10. Repealing Clause. All previous issuances inconsistent with the provisions
of this order are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 11. Effectivity. This order shall take effect upon its publication in the Official
Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,