RECEIVED
pare, _ 25 AUG 2016
tive 400 hy

BY: (am

RESISTRATION UNIT
BILLS AND INDE X SERVICE

Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
Quezon City, Metro Manila

Seventeenth Congress
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 3356

Introduced by Representative Sharon S. Garin

Explanatory Note

The Bureau of Animal Industry was created in 1930 by virtue of Republic Act No.
3639. Since its creation, the Bureau has gone through several organizational changes
mandated by various Republic Acts, Presidential Decree, and Executive Orders.

Currently, the BAI is an attached agency under the purview of the Department of
Agriculture (DA) and plays a significant role in the over-all protection and development of
the Animal Industry. Its functions include the investigation, reporting and prevention of the
cause and dangers of communicable diseases among animals; research and development of
animal health, welfare and food production; and regulation of imported and foreign animals,

The Animal Industry, with its livestock and poultry sectors, contributes a great deal to
the country’s GDP, In the first quarter of 2014 alone, the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics
recorded that the livestock and poultry subsectors made up 30% of the country’s total
agricultural output, amounting to Php59.43 billion.

With the outbreaks of communicable diseases coming from other countries, the
Agriculture Industry is facing the threat of economic losses with far reaching effects. In order
to minimize the effects of these threats and prevent the downfall of the Animal Industry, the
BAI should be strengthened to cover the holistic need of the animal industry. The necessity to
have a comprehensive law that will capture all the Republic Acts, Executive Orders and
Presidential Decrees is hereby proposed which details the powers, functions, and the
restructuring of the Animal Industry Bureau of the Philippines.

The bureau will be converted to a National Livestock and Veterinary Services
Authority (NLVSA) as provided in this proposed measure with the corresponding powers and
functions necessary to pursue their duties.

‘The proposed measure also seeks to restructure the said agency with the retention of
some divisions while others were abolished and the existing advisory committees renamed
including the National Advisory Committee for the Welfare of Animals or NACWA


(currently, Committee on Animal Welfare or CAW), and Animal Feeds Advisory Committee
or AFAC (currently named as the Animal Feed Control Advisory Committee or AFCAC).

Furthermore, the measure transfers all responsibilities of the DA’s regional staff
performing veterinary services and functions to the RLVSO,

In addition, the measure mandates the Local Government Units (LGUs) to closely
Cooperate with and extend available manpower, material, and financial resources to the
NLVSA within their respective jurisdictions.

Most importantly, because it is the responsibility of the State to provide just
compensation and benefits ta its workers, the proposed bill mandates the national government
to provide additional allowances and benefits to Veterinary Officers (VOs), Animal Health
Technicians (AHTS), and veterinarians employed by the NLVSA in accordance to the Magna
Carta for Public Health Workers.

Prohibited acts such as failure to report notifiable diseases; obstruction of NLVSA
duties; false statements; non-registration of transport facilities and equipment: use of fake
certificate; illegal manufacture and use of feeds and veterinary drugs: and refusal to vaccinate
animals shall be penalized in accordance to the proposed bill

It is the task of the Philippine government to promote and protect animal health and
welfare, establish a responsive national veterinary authority, encourage the participation of
Various veterinary service providers, and secure the development of the animal industry in the
attainment of greater safeguards and food security for the country’s animal and human
populations,

In view of the foregoing, the passage of this measure is earnestly sought

REP, SHAI . GARIN
AAMBIS-Owa Party List


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

Seventeenth Congress
First Regular Session

House Bill No, 8896

Introduced by Representative Sharon S. Garin

AN ACT
STRENGTHENING THE ANIMAL INDUSTRY AND VETERINARY SERVICES
IN THE PHILIPPINES

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

Chapter 1
INTRODUCTORY PROVISIONS

Section 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Animal Indusiry and Veterinary Services
Act."

Section 2, Declaration of Policy. — It is a declared policy of the State to promote and protect
animal health and welfare, recognize the importance of efficient delivery of sanitary
measures, establish a modern and responsive national veterinary authority, encourage the
participation of various veterinary service providers, and secure the development of the
animal industry in the attainment of greater safeguards and food security for the country's
animal and human populations, improved public health and environment, and enhanced
global trade competitiveness.

Section 3. Coverage. This Act shall apply to all programs, activities and undertakings of
Persons, corporations, associations, organizations, small-hold farmers, entities, or government
agencies that, directly or indirectly, deal on:
(1) Animal health related matters such as, but not limited to:
a Animal and zoonotic disease diagnosis, treatment, prevention, control and
eradication;
b. Early detection systems and compulsory reporting of important animal
diseases and zoonoses;
©. Inspection and monitoring of: i) animals, animal products and by-products; ii)
animal facilities, premises, equipment, means of transportation and other
inanimate things in contact with animals and/or animal products; iii) animal
feeds, feed ingredients, supplements and additives; iv) veterinary drugs,



veterinary biological and immunological products, veterinary cosmetics and
veterinary devices.

(2) Animal welfare;

(3) Animal production;

(4) Research and development on animal health and welfare, such as but not limited to
genetic improvement and operations of beef cattle, poultry and small ruminant farms
of the government for conservation of native domestic breeds:

(5) Marketing and product development; and

(6) Rational and judicious use of veterinary drugs, veterinary biological and diagnostic
reagents in animals.

Section 4, Objectives. The State shall endeavor to achieve the following objectives:

1. To promote human and enyironmental health from hazards caused by animal diseases
and zoonoses;

2. To establish a modem and responsive veterinary service:

3. To formulate, promote, enforce, implement rules, policies and programs for the
promotion of animal health, animal welfare and environment-friendly animal
production processes;

4. To institutionalize inter-agency, multi-sectoral and local government cooperation on
animal health and veterinary service programs;

5. To ensure animal food production safety and food security in support of poverty
alleviation;

6. To guarantee compliance and harmonization of sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS)

‘measures and other veterinary protocols with international standards:

To promote an environment of global livestock trade competitiveness; and

8. To establish nucleus and multiplier livestock breeder and production farms in support
of the government's modernization programs in agriculture.

Section 5. Definition of Terms. As used in this Act, the following terms and phrases shall
mean:

Accreditation ~ refers to the procedure by which government agency having jurisdiction
formally recognizes the competence of an inspection and/or certification body’ to provide
inspection and certification services.

Agribusiness — refers to the various businesses involved in food production, including
farming, breed and feed supply, agrichemicals, farm and processing machinery. wholesale
and distribution, processing, marketing and retail sales. It also means making a “simple
farmer” or “small backyard operator” into an “entrepreneur” by legalizing their business
venture with distinct identity and by developing their own competitive edge in the industry
group where they belong.

Animal — refers to vertebrate and invertebrate species whether domestic or wild (exotic or
indigenous) animals which may be food producing, companion, aquatic, laboratory including
birds, worms, bees and butterflies. The term excludes human and non-mammalian aquatic
species.

Animal facitity ~ refers to structures or premises generally used for the purpose of caring,
breeding, rearing, holding, gaming, training, trading, treating and exhibition such as but not
limited to, farms, zoos, aviaries, apiaries, Kennels, racetracks, cockpits, pet shops, pounds,
animal rescue centers, airport and seaport quarantine stations, animal holding facilities,
stables, livestock markets, slaughterhouses, veterinary clinics, and veterinary hospitals.


Animal Health — refers to the over-all physical condition and well-being of animal(s).

Animal Health Technician ~ refers to any person who i
10 carry out designated tasks related to veterinary medic’
ofa veterinarian,

properly trained and is authorized
1¢ under the immediate super

Animal Identification — reters to the combination of the identification and registration of an
animal individually, with a unique identifier, or collectively by its epidemiological unit or
group, with a unique group identifier.

Animal Identification System — refers to the inclusion and linking of component such as
identification of establishments, owners, person or persons responsible for the animal(s),
animal movements and other records with an animal identification,

Aurimal Industry ~ refers to any activity relating to the production, breeding, caring, rearing,
holding, trading, transporting and use of all animals; animal processing, marketing and feed
milling,

Animal Production Food Safety and Security — refers to measures taken in farms and
Production areas to safeguard the health of the consuming public and ensure that the food
derived therefrom is safe and of sufficient quantity or supply. This includes measures taken to
regulate and control the introduction of non-food animals to the food chain.

Animal Products and By-Products ~ refer to any meat, fat, milk whey, cream, butter, cheese,
8g or other food or foodstuffs derived from an animal; or any part of the viscera of an
animal, hide, skin, hair, wool, feathers, shell, horn or hoof: or any article or substance derived
from dung, urine, feces, bone, or blood of an animal; or any secretion of an animal or any
Product or biological preparation made or derived from any animal tissue or animal secretion;
oF any article or substance derived from an animal such as semen, whether or not in
combination with any article or substance; or any article or substance or thing that is declared
by order to be an animal product for the purposes of this Act.

Animal Registry — refers to the list of information on animals (such as identification, animal
health, movement, certification, epidemiology, establishments) collected, recorded, securely
stored and made appropriately accessible and able to be utilized by the NLVSA, and ite
stakeholders as described hereunder in Section 6, Chapter II.

Border Post — refers to any airport, seaport, railway station or road check-point to domestic
and international trade of commodities, where veterinary inspections are performed,

Buffer Zone ~ refers to an area established to protect the health status of animals in a disease
free country or disease free zones, from those in a country or zone of a different animal health
Status, using measures based on the epidemiology of the disease under consideration to
Prevent spread of the causative pathogenic agent into a free country or free zone, These
Measures may include, but are not limited to, vaccination, movement control and an
intensified degree of disease surveillance,

Certification ~ refers to the procedure by which official certification bodies or officially
recognized certification bodies provide written or equivalent assurance that animal contro)
systems conform to requirements.



Chief Veterinary Officer — refers to veterinarian who has the responsibility and competence
of ensuring and supervising the implementation of animal health and welfare measures,
international veterinary certification and other standards and guidelines in the Terrestrial
Animal Health Code of the World Organization for Animal Health or Organization
International des Epizooties (OIE) in the entire country.

Communicable Animal Diseases — refer to diseases which are transmissible from one animal
to another,

Compartment — refers to one or more establishments under a common biosecurity
management system containing an animal subpopulation with a distinct health status with
Tespect to a specific disease or diseases for which required surveillance, control, biosecurity
measures have been applied for the purpose of international trade.

Competent Authority — refers to the NLVSA which is the official authority charged by the
government in the control of animal health, welfare, animal production food safety and
veterinary services.

Confiscation — refers to taking into custody of animals, animal parts and/or products, and/or
of animal effects by the competent authority for its proper disposal for having been the
subject of violation of rules and regulations or posing risk to general human and animal
welfare.

Control Area or zone ~ refers to an area around the infected area where restrictions will
reduce and/or limit the chance of further spreading the disease.

Diseases — refer to the impairment of normal state of living animals showing sub-clinical,
clinical/pathological manifestation with infectious and non-infectious condition,

Early detection system ~ refers to a system for the timely detection and identification of
animal and zoonotic diseases which includes the following characteristics, namely: (a)
representative coverage of target animal populations by veterinary field services; (b) ability to
Undertake effective disease investigation and reporting; (c) access to laboratories capable of
diagnosing and differentiating relevant disease; and (d) training program for veterinarians and
animal health technicians for detecting and reporting unusual disease occurrence,

Emerging Disease ~ refers to a new infection resulting from the evolution or change of an
existing pathogenic agent, a known infection spreading to a new geographic area or
Population, or a previously unrecognizable pathogenic agent or disease diagnosed for the first
time and which has a significant impact on animal or public health.

Epidemiology — refers to the science concerned with the study of factors determining and
influencing the frequency and distribution of disease, injury and other health-related events
and their causes in a defined population.

Equivalence of Sanitary Measures — refers to the state wherein the sanitary measure(s)
Proposed by the exporting country as an alternative to those of the importing country
achieve(s) the same level of protection.

Eradication — refers to the elimination of a pathogenic agent or disease from the country or
zone/area/region,


Establishment — refers to entities engaged in the manufacture, production, preparation,
handling, importation, advertising or sponsorship of animals, animal products and by.
products, veterinary drugs and veterinary devices,

Feed ~ refers to a mixture or combination of feed ingredients, supplements and additives, in
any form, by specific formula to be fed directly as a sole ration to animals which is capable of
furnishing the nutritional needs or requirements of the animal in order to maintain life,
Promote growth, production and reproduction without any additional substance except water.

Feed Ingredients — refer to all articles, in any form, that are added or mixed into the
Composition or which are used as raw materials in the formulation of a feed or ration, base
Feed, base mix, concentrate, feed supplement, feed additive, specialty feed and/or special feed
Preparation purporting to supply additional nutrients, such as but not limited to, proteins,
carbohydrates, ‘fats, minerals, vitamins, growth promoting factors and/or correcting
nutritional disorders,

Free Zone ~ refers to an area which the absence of the disease under consideration has been
complied in accordance with the requirements specified in the Terrestrial Code of the OIE for
five status being met. Within the zone and at its borders, appropriate official veterinary
Control is effectively applied for animals and animal products, and their transportation.

Governance — refers to the process by which the Philippines government (national, regional
and local), private sector, industry associations and other stakeholders collectively solve the
problems, needs and concerns of the animal industry.

Hazard ~ refers to a biological, chemical or physical agent in, or a condition of an animal or
animal product with the potential to cause an adverse health effect.

Indemnification ~refers to the payment for any loss of animals or damage to its by-products
in accordance with the guidelines established by the Veterinary Authority.

Infected Zone refers to an area in which the disease under consideration is present.

International Veterinary Certificate — Otherwise called as Veterinary Health Certificate,
refers to the document issued by the Veterinary Quarantine Service Officers specifying
among others therein that the animals, animal products and by-products or animal effects
intended for international or domestic transport are free from any communicable animal
diseases or are not carriers thereof.

Livestock ~ means and includes horses, cattle, carabaos, sheep, swine, rabbits, poultry and
other animals or birds as the Secretary of DA may, from time to time by regulation, prescribe.

Livestock Agribusiness Marketing — refers to the critical roles marketing. plays in the
Successful operation of an agribusiness firm by focusing on the six major parts of
agribusiness marketing system such as: 1) the agricultural input industries; 2) the impact of
fechnology-induced changes on production practices and the need for marketing awareness
on the part of farmers as a way t0 achieve greater profitability; 3) the commodity processing
and food manufacturing industries; 4) the food wholesaling and retailing industries; 5) the
food service industry; and 6) cooperative agribusiness.


Livestock Marketing System — refers to livestock economics system that relies upon the
markets and market forces to allocate resources and goods, to determine prices and quantities
of each product that will be produced.

Marketing — refers to the process of planning the conception, pricing, promotion and
distribution of goods and services to create exchanges that satisfy individual and
organizational objectives.

Market Infrastructure ~ refers to facilites including, but not limited to livestock “oksyon™
market, wet/public market buildings, weighing scale center, holding pens, warehouses,
market information centers, slaughterhouses, connecting roads, transport and communication
and cold storage used by the livestock farmers in marketing their produce

Market Information System — refers to an information system concerned with the collection,
storage and analysis of information and data for marketing decision making. purposes.
Information for use in marketing information systems is gathered from customers,
competitors and their products, and from the market itself.

Market Intelligence ~ refers to data or information obtained both publicly and privately by
market players that reflect a myriad of factors regarding prices, stocks, trends, government
policies affecting supply or demand, production and consumption of products, by-products
and allied products in an industry, e.g. animal industry, to achieve a marketing or business-
related competitiveness,

Market Research ~ refers to the identification of a specific market and measurement of its
size and other characteristics collected from direct observation of the consumers (such as in
Fetail stores), mail surveys, telephone or face-to-face interviews, and from published sources

(such as demographic data),

Notifiable Disease — refers to disease listed by the Veterinary Authority, and that, as soon as
detected or suspected, must be brought to the attention of the Veterinary Authority, in
accordance with national regulations.

Notification ~ refers to the procedure by which the Local Veterinary Authority informs the
National Veterinary Authority, of the occurrence of an outbreak of disease or infection.

OLE (Office Internationale des Epizooties or the World Organization for Animal Health) is
the intergovernmental organization responsible for improving animal health worldwide. It is
recognized as a reference organization by the World Trade Organization.

Poultry — includes chickens, turkeys, ducks, gamefowls, geese, quails, pigeons, pheasants,
partridges, and ratites reared or kept in captivity for breeding, production of meat or eggs for
consumption or for re-stocking supplies of game.

Production processes — refer to the transformational steps in the conversion of raw materials
to finished products.

Professional Regulation Commission-Board of Veterinary Medicine (PRC-BVM) — refers
to an autonomous authority regulating veterinarians and animal health technicians,

Quarantine — refers to the act of isolating animals from other animals with no direct or
indirect contact with other animals, to prevent the transmission of specified pathogen(s) while


the animals are undergoing observation, and, if appropriate, testing and treatment, for a
specified length of time and/or to determine their freedom from disease.

Quarantine Station — refers to a facility under the control of the veterinary service authority
where animals are maintained in isolation with no direct contact or indirect contact with their
animals, to ensure that there is no transmission of specified pathogen(s) outside the
establishment while the animals are undergoing observation for a specified length of time
and, if appropriate, testing and treatment.

Risk — refers to the likelihood of the occurrence and the likely magnitude of consequences of
an adverse event to animal or human health in the importing country during a specified time
period, as a result of hazardous elements.

Risk Analysis — refers to the process composed of hazard identification, risk assessment, risk
‘management, and risk communication.

Risk Assessment — refers to the evaluation of the likelihood and the biological and economic
consequences of entry, establishment, or spread of a pathogenic agent within the territory of
an importing country.

Risk Communication — refers to the interactive exchange of informe
assessors, risk managers and other interested parties.

non risk among risk

Risk Management — refers to the process of identifying, selecting and implementing
measures that can be applied to reduce the level of risk.

Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures — defined as measures applied: (a) to protect human or
animal life from risks arising from additives, contaminants, toxins or disease-causing
organisms in their food; (b) to protect human life from plant- or animal-carried diseases: (c)
to protect animal or plant life from pests, diseases, or disease-causing organisms; and (d) to
prevent or limit other damage to a country from the entry, establishment or spread of pests.
This also includes SPS measures taken to protect the health of fish and wild fauna, as well as
forests and wild flora,

Shipping Permit — refers to the document issued by the NLVSA authorizing the person
indicated therein to ship or transport the stated items to their indicated destination(s),

Third party certification or independent certification — is defined as when a firm requires
that its suppliers meet a certain standard and requests an independent organization that is not
involved in the business relationship to control the compliance of the suppliers.

Traceability — refers to the ability to follow or monitor the history or record of an animal or
group of animals during all stages of its life.

Vaccination ~ refers to the successful immunization of susceptible animals through the
administration of appropriate immunizing agents comprising of antigens or bacterins or any
agent appropriate to the disease to be controlled.

Veterinarian — refers to a person who has been registered and issued a valid certificate of
registration and professional identification card by PRC-BVM.


Veterinary Authority — refers to the government authority, comprising of duly licensed
veterinarians, having the responsibility and competence of ensuring or supervising the
implementation of animal health and welfare measures, international veterinary certification
and other standards and guidelines in the Terrestrial Code of the OIE.

Veterinary Cosmetics ~ refer to any substance or preparation intended to be placed in contact
with the various external parts of the animal body or with the teeth, mucous membranes of
the oral cavity, with a view exclusively or mainly to cleaning them, perfuming them,
changing their appearance and/or correcting the body odor, and/or protecting the body or
keeping the same in good condition.

Veterinary Devices — refer to any instruments, apparatuses, implements, machines,
appliances or contrivances, including their components, parts and accessories intended for
use in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment and prevention of animal diseases or to affect
the structure or any function of the body ot animals,

Veterinary Drugs — refer to articles for use in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment or
prevention of diseases of animals.

Veterinary Products ~ as use in this Act shall collectively refer to veterinary biological,
veterinary drugs, veterinary devices, and veterinary cosmetics as defined herein and to other
substances applied to animal facilities such as but not limited to disinfectants, insecticides,
and substances that modify or extend physiological functions, behaviors or availability such
as but not limited to hormones, growth promotants, stimulants, enhancers, probiotics and
acidifiers,

Veterinary Services — refer to the activities in the implementation of animal health, welfare,
feed control and animal production food safety by government and non-government
organizations

Zone / Region — refers to a cleatly defined part of the country containing an animal
subpopulation with a distinct health status with respect to a specific disease for which
required surveillance, control and biosecurity measures have been applied for the purpose of
international trade,

Zoonosis — refers to any disease or infection which is naturally transmissible from animals to
human vice versa.

Chapter 11
STRUCTURE, POWERS AND FUNCTIONS

Section 6. The National Livestock and Veterinary Services Authority. The Bureau of
Animal Industry (BAI) shall be renamed as the "National Livestock and Veterinary Services
Authority (NLVSA),” an attached line agency up to the regional level under the Department
of Agriculture, chiefly responsible for overseeing and promoting the health, welfare and
productivity of the national animal population for food safety, food security and rural
development.

The NLVSA shall be headed by a Director General, with the rank of undersecretary, who
Must possess a minimum experience of ten (10) years in practice as a duly licensed
veterinarian, He shall be assisted by a Deputy Director General for Regulatory Services and a


Deputy Director General for Research, Development and Extension Services, who, likewise,
must both possess a minimum experience of ten (10) years practice as a duly licensed
veterinarian,

The Director General, and Deputy Directors General shall be appointed by the President of
the Philippines, while, the Center Directors, Regional Directors and Director for
Administrative Support Services shall be appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture. All
Personnel below the Director and Regional Director levels shall be appointed by the Director
General.

Section 7. Powers and Functions. The NLVSA shall have the following principal powers
through the Director General or his duty designated representative:

1. Regulatory Authority. - The NLVSA shall have authority to regulate animal health,
animal welfare, animal production food safety and matters connected or pertaining to, but
‘not limited to general sanitary measures, risk analysis, animal quarantine, diagnosis of
diseases, animal feeds and feed ingredients, veterinary drugs and biological products, and
other pharmaceuticals and products used on animals and the environment, animal
facilities, equipments, devices and cosmetics, veterinary research, animal production and
international certification procedures.

2. Technical Assistance and Supervision, - The NLVSA shall provide technical training
for the capacity building and strengthening of livestock and veterinary services related
functions of all national government agencies and Local Government Units (LGUs). It
shall exercise technical supervision over veterinary offices and veterinary related
functions of all national government agencies and LGUs. This includes oversight
authority fo require mandatory notification and coordination, submission of reports and
other pertinent data regarding animal disease situations, within the respective areas or
jurisdictions of other government agencies and local government units

3. Assumption of Control, - The NLVSA is authorized, subject to the approval of the
Secretary of Agriculture and in coordination with the concerned LGU and regional
officials of other agencies, to assume full control and direction in the management of
local and regional outbreaks of dangerous communicable and zoonotic animal diseases,
where the animal and/or human health status of the country, as recommended by the
hereunder described National Advisory Committee on Animal Diseases and Emergency
(NAC-ADE), is in actual or imminent danger.

4. Visitorial Power. - The NLVSA, through its duly authorized veterinary officers, upon
Presenting appropriate credentials or authority to the owner, manager, operator, agent or
any person within the premises, shall have the power to enter and inspect anytime but
following down time requirements of livestock and poultry farms and other animal
establishments, conduct collection of laboratory specimens and samples with proper

ion and receipt of those taken, and when required by circumstances and as

authorized by the Director General or his representative, impose preventive and control
measures therein, in coordination with, and as may be necessary, subject to biosafety
entry requirements of concerned owners and caretakers,

5. Declaration of Quarantine. - The Director General through a written order of quarantine
shall cause the immediate holding or detention for thirty (30) days or for such longer
period, if necessary, for observation and testing of animals, animal parts, products, and
by-products, feeds, feed ingredients, feed supplements and feed additives, veterinary



biologics, drugs, products and devices, and such other materials or substances which are
found or deemed to be infected or carriers of dangerous animal diseases.

6. Confiscation and Disposal. - The NLVSA, through appropriate destruction order, shall
have the authority to immediately confiscate and dispose of animals, animal parts,
products, and by-products, animal feeds, feed ingredients, feed supplements/additives,
veterinary biological products, veterinary drugs, products and veterinary devices, and
such other materials or substances that are declared prohibited or banned; or showing
signs and symptoms of dangerous animal diseases; or, in case of animal feeds, veterinary
drugs, biological and other materials or substances, tested positive for adulteration, or
contamination of toxic chemicals or substances.

Articles or items that are undocumented, or of unknown source and conditions, not
Covered in the preceding paragraph which the possessor, owner, consignee or importer, as
the case maybe, failed to substantiate through submission of requisite documents, or
establish the origin thereof and its compliance with pertinent regulations within seventy.
two (72) hours from quarantine shall, likewise, be subject to confiscation and appropriate
disposal.

7. Call for Assistance. - The Director General may call upon any government agency for
any form of assistance consistent with its powers, duties, and responsibilities for the
Purpose of ensuring the effective and efficient implementation of this Act and the rules
and regulations promulgated hereunder.

8. Subsidiary Legislation. — The Secretary of Agriculture, upon the recommendation of the
NLVSA shall issue rules and regulations to implement and enforce the provisions of this
Act.

9. Delegation. - The NLVSA shall have the authority to deputize local government and
Private veterinarians to perform disease control, measures to obviate any animal welfare
concerns and animal health matters for proper implementation of national disease control
policies and programs at all levels. The DG shall deputize Animal Welfare Officers from
Non Government Organizations (NGOs), citizens groups, community organizations and
other volunteers who have undergone the necessary training and accreditation for this
Purpose. AAs such, the Animal Welfare Officers shall have the full authority to seize and
confiscate affected animals in violation of the provisions of the Act, subject to existing
rules and regulation on arrest and detention,

10. Emergency Response. ~ The NLVSA shall establish an emergency preparedness plan to
ensure the safety and protection of the animal population in the event of natural and man.
made disasters.

Section 8. Organizational Structure. - The technical, administrative, finance and support
services of the NLVSA shall be strengthened as may be appropriate and necessary to carry
out effectively the provisions of this Act. Various Centers shall be established under the
NLVSA and each Center shall be headed by a Director, who must possess a minimum
practice of five (5) years as a veterinarian, with supervisory experience in any related field
Each center shall include divisions which shall be headed by a division chief with minimum
management experience of three (3) years. The Centers established are as follows:

|. Center for Animal Health and Welfare (CAHW) - The Center shall be responsible for
Yeterinary epidemiology, animal disease surveillance systems, animal disease prevention,


. Center for Veter

control and eradication programs, risk analysis, herd health management, animal welfare
and animal health information.

The center shall have the following divisions: (a) Veterinary Epidemiology and
Economics; (b) Animal Disease Control and Veterinary Public Health; (c) Animal
Welfare; and (d) Animal Health Information and Communication.

ry Quarantine Services (CVQS) - The Center shall be primarily
responsible in issuing import and export certifications and conducting pre and postborder
inspections and monitoring, accreditation, quarantine, and if warranted by biosecurity
procedures, instituting immediate seizure and/or confiscation of animals, animal parts,
products, and by-products, feeds, feed ingredients, feed supplements and feed additives,
veterinary biologics, drugs, products and devices, and such other materials or substances
threat or harm to animal health, The Center shall also be responsible for the
maintenance of quarantine stations and enforcement of animal quarantine and welfare
rules and regulations in the various inland and offShore shipping routes of the country.

The Center shall have the following divisions: (a) Sanitary and PhytoSanitary Trade
Facilitation (b) Veterinary Quarantine Inspection and Monitoring, and (c) Biosecurity.

. Center for Animal Disease Diagnosis (ADD) - The Center shall primarily conduct
laboratory diagnosis of animal diseases and act as a repository of data on disease
diagnosis. It shall be responsible for the management of regional veterinary diagnostic
laboratories, including the monitoring of certified/accredited private animal disease
diagnostic laboratories. CADD shall also be the National Reference Center for Animal
Disease Diagnosis.

The Center shall have the following divisions: (a) Pathobiology; (b) Bacteriology and
Mycobiology; (c) Virology; (d) Laboratory Standards and Compliance; and (e) National
Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory Information Management and Coordination,

. Center for Animal Feeds, Veterinary Products and Establishments Regulation
(CAFVPER) — The Center shall regulat the manufacture, production, importation,
exportation, distribution, handling, sale, offer for sale, transfer, promotion, advertisement,
the use and testing of pre-mixes, animal feeds, feed ingredients, feed supplements and
feed additives, veterinary drugs and veterinary biological products and establishments. It
shall likewise conduct assays on the quality, safety, potency and efficacy of these
products and veterinary drug residues in animal products except meat,

The Center shall include the following divisions: (a) Registration, Licensing, and
Accreditation; (b) Inspection and Compliance; and (c) Laboratory Services.

Animal Genetic Resource Management and Improvement Center (AGRMIC) — This
Center shall be responsible for formulating policies and programs for sustainable animal
genetic resources of domestic animals. It shall prepare in consultation with various
stakeholders the national strategy and action plan for the use, development and
conservation of animal genetic resources in particular the native food animals,

‘The Center shall have the following divisions: (a) Breed Registry and Central Data
Management; (b) Gene Bank; (c) Native Pigs; (d) Native Poultry; (e) Native Cattle, Goad
and Sheep; and (f) Native Horses.


6, Center for Animal Research and Product Development (CARPD) — This Center shall
address the national agenda for all researches on animal health, animal welfare and
animal production food safety and security in coordination, collaboration and consultation
with international and local agencies and stakeholders.

It shall also be responsible for the generation of technology, technology adaptation and
demonstration necessary for maximum utilization of available resources in accordance
with the requirements of the national animal research, production and development
agenda and shall also serve as repository of all animal research and scientific information.

This Center shall have the following divisions: (a) Animal Production Research; (b)
Veterinary Product Research and Standards Development; and (c) Animal Product
Development.

7. Center for Livestock Trade Promotion and Development (CLTPD) ~ This Center
shall be primarily responsible for the promotion of the National Agenda for the
development and implementation of sustainable livestock business development, animal
industry strategic management, animal supply chain management, animal knowledge and
information network, participatory governance, animal market and post production
development and animal market infrastructure and animal statistics and marketing
intelligence, animal marketing system programs and activities.

The Center shall have the following divisions: (a) Livestock Business and Industry
Strategic Development; (b) Market and Post-Production Development; and (c) Socio-
Economic and Marketing Research.

Section 9 Administrative Support Services. The NLNSA shall be assisted by an
Administrative Support Services which shall be headed by Director and Regional Chiefs of
Division, who must possess a minimum management experience of five (5) years and three
(3) years in any related field, respectively. It shall have the following divisions or units, as
maybe applicable, to wit: (a) Assets and Finance; (b) Human Resource Development: (c)
Property and Logistics Management; (d) Legal Support Services; (¢) Monitoring and
Evaluation; (f) Planning and International Desk; and (g) Information and Communication
Technology Management.

Section 10. Regional Livestock and Veterinary Services Offices (RLVSOs). This shall be
created at the regional level to be headed by the Regional Director, who must possess a
minimum experience of at least ten (10) years as a veterinarian. Each office shall be
supported by such number of divisions as may be necessary in the performance of regional
operations.

All existing DA regional staff performing veterinary services and functions are hereby
transferred to the RLVSO.

Chapter III
CHIEF VETERINARY OFFICER, VETERINARY OFFICERS,
AND ANIMAL HEALTH TECHNICIANS

Section 11. Chief Veterinary Officer, The Director General of the NLVSA shall be the Chief
Veterinary Oficer (CVO) of the country. The CVO shall be primarily responsible in the



formulation and implementation of national policies, strategies, priorities and action plans of
animal health, animal welfare and animal production food ‘safety, The CVO shall also
represent the country in official international dialogue on animal health matters,

The CVO shall coordinate and, as much as possible, establish linkages with allied
government agencies, the private sector and academe in the implementation of plans and
Programs in animal disease prevention, control and eradication to ensure prompt mobilization
ofall essential personnel and resources in the event of animal disease emergencies,

The CVO shall also endeavor to address current, recurring, new and prospective national
issues and concems on animal health, welfare, safe feeds and food production safety and
security, with regional and global impact through the help of other allied government
agencies and stakeholders,

Section 12. Veterinary Officers (VOs) and Animal Health Technicians (AHTs). The
Director General of the NLVSA shall appoint or deputize veterinarians and other personnel
as VO and AHT. He shall prescribe the duties and responsibilities of the National and
Regional VO.

When the interest of the service so requires, the VO shall be entitled to incentives, overtime
fees and reimbursement of ‘expenses for ser -s rendered outside of office hours which shall
be chargeable to the parties served, at the rates to be prescribed by the Secretary of
Agriculture upon the recommendation of the Director General,

Section 13. Magna Carta for Public Health Workers. VOs, AHTs, and other veterinarians
employed or deputized by the NLVSA, including their administrative and support personnel
directly exposed to veterinary public health related activities shall be entitled to additional
compensations, and other benefits provided under Republic Act No. 7305, also known as the
Magna Carta for Public Health Workers.

Chapter 1V
ADVISORY COMMITTEES

Section 14. National and Regional Advisory Committees for Animal Diseases and
Emergency. The existing National and Regional Committees on Animal Disease Control and
Emergency (NAC-ADCE and RAC-ADCE), which were created in the advent of emerging
diseases are hereby renamed and institutionalized in this Act as the National and Regional
Advisory Committees on Animal Diseases and Emergency (NAC-ADE and RAC-ADE)
under the Office of the Secretary of Agriculture,

The Chairperson of the NAC-ADE shall be a duly licensed veterinarian of good standing,
competence and probity in the veterinary profession, and a practicing veterinarian for at least
ten (10) years with sufficient knowledge of the livestock industry and its animal related
services. He shall be designated as such by the Secretary of Agriculture from the
recommendation of the regular members from the

The manner in the filling up of the members of the committee and sub-committees shall be
prescribed and approved by the Secretary of Agriculture upon recommendation of the
Director General. The composition of the committee shall be updated from time to time and
as may be needed by circumstances,


Section 1S. Duties and Functions. ‘The NAC-ADE and RAC-ADE shall submit their
recommendations directly to the Secretary of Agriculture and perform the following duties
and functions:

I. Recommend policies and measures on the following:

a, Risk analyses and import protocols, prevention, control, eradication and
monitoring of economically harmful animal diseases including zoonotic
diseases;

b. Procedures to be followed in times of emergencies, e.g., nationwide epidemic
of food animal and zoonotic diseases and during disasters, either man-made or
natural;

¢. Verification of reports on emerging zoonotic animal diseases;

4d. Support the CVO in sourcing funds from national and international funding
agencies.

2. The NAC-ADE shall coordinate the activities of the various RAC-ADEs which is the
regional counterpart and have similar function advising the Secretary of Agriculture
and the respective Regional Directors (RDs);

3. Create sub-committees to address special issues and concerns of the NLVSA and
other agencies

4. Assist in the review of policies, programs, and projects for the development of the
National Veterinary Services;

5. Assist in the evaluation of the implementation, efficiency and effectiveness of the
operations, programs and projects of the NLVSA, as well as the enforcement of the
provisions of this Act,

Section 16. National Advisory Commitee for the Welfare of Animals (NACWA). The
Committee on Animal Welfare (CAW) created under RA 8485 shall be renamed the
NACWA which is multi-agency and multi-sectoral committee. It shall be chaired by a
representative from any of the private sector subject to the approval of the Secretary of the
Department of Agriculture. The NACWA shall be responsible for the formulation of rules
and regulations for the strict implementation of the provisions of this Act and RA 8485,

‘The NACWA shall be composed of representatives from the following agencies and sectors:
Department of Agriculture:

Department of Environment and Natural Resources;

Department of Interior and Local Government;

Department of Education;

Provincial, City and Municipal Veterinarians’ League of the Philippines;

Philippines Veterinary Medical Association;

Animal Welfare Organizations; and

State and Private Universities and Colleges

Prope ance

Section 17. Animal Feeds Advisory Committee (AFAC). The Animal Feed Control Advisory
Committee (AFCAC) created under RA No. 1556 (As amended by Senate Bill No. 627)
adopted into law by Presidential Decree No. 7 in 1972, is hereby renamed as Animal Feed
Advisory Committee (AFAC) with eleven (11) members, the composition of which shall be
modified to add three more members, namely: one legal representative from the NLVSA, one
representative from the Legal Division of DA, and one representative from the Philippine
College of Veterinary Feed Practitioners.



Section 18. Mandatory Review and Evaluation. The recommendations of the NAC-ADE,
CAW, and AFAC shall be subjected to mandatory review and evaluation by the Director
General, before the same are submitted for final approval by the Secretary of Agriculture.

Section 19. Other Advisory Comminees. Other Advisory Committees may be created to
assist the NLVSA in the implementation of its various programs and projects.

Chapter V
LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS AND LOCAL VETERINARY OFFICES

Section 20. LGU Assistance and Cooperation, Local Government Units (LGUs) shall assist
and closely cooperate with the NLVSA in the implementation of the provisions of this Act
They shall extend any available manpower, security, material and financial resources to any
national animal disease prevention and control measures, animal welfare and other national
Programs being undertaken by the NLVSA within their respective jurisdictions,

Section 21. Creation of Municipal Veterinary Positions. The position of municipal
veterinarian shall be mandatory in all first class municipalities and optional in other
municipalities,

Section 22. Responsibilities of Provincial, City and Municipal Veterinarians. In addition to
the duties of a veterinary officer as provided in Section 489 of Republic Act No. 7160, also
known as the “Local Government Code of 1991,” it shall be the duty of veterinary officers to:

|. Ensure the implementation of policies, rules and regulations issued by NLVSA and
other coordinating agencies in accordance with the provisions of this Act and its
related laws, rules and regulations towards the enforcement of animal disease
prevention, control measures and animal welfare regulations.

2, Extend assistance, as may be necessary, to the NLVSA in the implementation or
enforcement of animal disease prevention and control measures, and animal welfare
within their area of responsibility.

3. Comply with all reportorial and documentary requirements needed by the NLVSA in
the implementation of this Act.

Section 23. Issuance of Mayor's Permit. No LGU shall issue any Mayor's Permit to operate
any farm, clinic, animal facility, kennel or any other veterinary establishment unless the
owner/operator has secured clearance from the provincial, city or municipal veterinarian
attesting to the fact that the establishment has complied with all the requirements prescribed
under NLVSA rules and regulations.

Chapter VI
ROLE OF ALLIED GOVERNMENT AGENCIES,
AND NON-GOVERNMENT AGENCIES

Section 24, Allied Government Agencies. Allied government agencies that are performing
Veterinary services and related functions shall continue to do so. The Director General of the
NLVSA as the national competent authority shall call upon other allied government agencies
and academe in the implementation of this Act,


Section 25. Other Agencies and Sectors. The NLVSA shall establish agreements with other
government sectors, private sectors, academe and other relevant agencies and stakeholders in
the implementation of plans and programs in animal disease prevention, control, eradication
and to ensure prompt mobilization of all essential personnel and resources in the event of
animal disease emergencies.

‘Section 26. Responsibilities. All government agencies and private entities performing
veterinary and related functions shall cooperate fully with the Director General and comply
with the set policies and technical standards for veterinary services,

Chapter VII
ANIMAL HEALTH, WELFARE AND ANIMAL PRODUCTION FOOD SAFETY

Section 27, Duty to Report Notifiable Diseases. All animal and livestock producers, owners,
Operators, farm managers, farm veterinarians, animal facility operators and farm consultants
who have in their possession or care, animals or animal products infected or suspected to be
infected, or have reasonable grounds to believe that the animal or animal product is infected
with a notifiable diseases are duty bound to report to the concerned LGU Veterinary Office or
to the NLVSA or to the RLVSO immediately within 24 hours by the quickest means possible.

These notifiable diseases include, among others, Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), Classical
Swine Fever (CSF, Hog Cholera), Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRS),
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), Newcastle Disease (ND) or Avian Pest, Rabies,
Caprine Arthritis Encephalitis (CAE), Anthrax and Hemorrhagic Septicemia,

The NLVSA shall provide a complete list of notifiable diseases and their reporting guidelines
which shall be updated from time to time.

Section 28. Proper Disposal of Dead Animals and Potentially Infective Materials. Dead
animals, manure, and other potentially infective materials from regular operations of farms,
clinics, animal facilities shall be disposed in accordance with existing laws, rules and
regulations and guidelines set by NLVSA.

Section 29. Animal Disease Surveillance and Epidemiology. All agencies performing
veterinary services shall be responsible in monitoring animal disease situation by conducting
regular surveillance of the animal and livestock population in their respective jurisdiction and
are required to report periodically to the NLVSA.

Section 30. National Registry, Animal Identification and Traceability of Livestock. A
national registry of animal facilities and establishments shall be established by the NLVSA.
An animal identification system shall also be developed to be able to trace the origin of each
animal or groups of animals, The NLVSA in consultation with livestock stakeholders shall
also establish farm classification system in accordance with accepted standard and
parameters.

Section 31. Mandatory Vaccination. To prevent, control, and eradicate emerging or re
emerging, communicable and exotic diseases, all animals shall have to be vaccinated in
accordance with the implementing rules and regulations of this Act. In case of refusal to
vaccinate despite due notice, the NLVSA shall have authority to require the LGU concerned
to revoke the Mayor's and Business Permits issued for the operation of the establishment.



Section 32. Emergency Preparedness. The NLVSA shall draft the National Emergency
Preparedness and Disaster Plans in response to animal health, welfare and animal production
food safety. Measures shall also be developed to mitigate the effect of climate change in the
livestock industry.

Section 33. Animal Welfare Practices. All animal producers, owners, operators, farm
managers, farm veterinarians, animal facility operators and farm consultants who have in
their possession or care, animals shall adopt and observe animal welfare regulations and
practices.

Section 34. Animal Health, Welfare and Animal Production Food Safety Information
‘System. The NLVSA shall develop a more effective animal health information system
involving agencies and other stakeholders on animal health, welfare and animal production
food safety including establishment of an effective information network

‘Section 35. Risk Analysis. Principles of risk analysis shall be incorporated in all policy
formulation and standard setting such as but not limited to the importation of animals, animal
products, by-products, veterinary biological products, animal feeds and animal effects,

Section 36. Veterinary Public Health. The NLVSA shall take the lead role in the formulation
and implementation of veterinary public health programs and activities particularly in the
prevention and control of zoonoses and food safety.

Section 37. Mandatory Engagement of the Professional Services of a Veterinarian. All
animal establishments such as but not limited to farms, zoos, kennels, apiaries, aviaries,
livestock markets, animal race tracks and cockpits shall engage the professional services of a
Veterinarian based on minimum number of animals and other parameters to be prescribed by
the NLVSA, in consultation with concemed sectors,

Section 38. Farm Inspection and Certification, The NLNVSA, in consultation with
stakeholders, shall establish standards and parameters on farm inspection and certification.

Chapter VIII
QUARANTINE MEASURES AND FACILITIES

Section 39. Border Post Entry. The importation of animals, animal products, animal by-
Products, animal feeds and feed ingredients, veterinary drugs, veterinary biological,
veterinary cosmetics and veterinary devices, and other potential vectors of animal diseases
shall be subjected to veterinary inspection at ports of entry, and if warranted, placed under
quarantine and tested as may be deemed appropriate and necessary. Such importation must
comply with prescribed documents, such as, but not limited to an Authority to Import duly
issued by the NLVSA and secured prior to the importation and an International Health
Certificate and/or Sanitary Phytosanitary (SPS) Clearance, or its equivalent, and such other
documents as may be required by the NLVSA to be obtained from the proper authorities of
the country of origin.

Section 40. Boarding Inspection of Carriers. All vessels and planes, domestic or
intemational, are subject to boarding inspection upon arrival, and before departure for any
unloaded and undeclared importation, unauthorized exportation, or local shipment of
regulated or prohibited animals, animal products, animal by-products, animal feeds and feed
ingredients, veterinary drugs, veterinary biological, veterinary cosmetics and veterinary


devices, and other potential vectors of animal diseases. The captain, master or skipper, other
officers and crew members, and agent of such carriers shall render assistance as. the
Veterinary Officer and his deputies may reasonably request to facilitate the discharge and
disposal of illegal articles.

Section 41. Release from Customs Zone. The Bureau of Customs or its representative shall
not allow the release of any article of importation that is subject to veterinary inspection,
quarantine and examination procedures unless the NLVSA or its duly authorized
representative has issued a Veterinary Quarantine Compliance Certificate or Lifting of
Quarantine for the particular shipment, as the case may be.

Section 42, Prohibited Importation. No importation of animals, animal products, animal by-
products, animal effects and other related products, such as but not limited to fodder crops
and forage, shall be allowed from countries known or declared to be infected with a
dangerous communicable animal disease or diseases which has been banned to export the
said products to the Philippines and where there is a possible danger of spreading or
introducing such disease or diseases into the Philippines by the importation of such item. All
in-transmit shipments at the time of the occurrence of the foreign disease or contagion shall
be subjected to strict disposal, and as the NLVSA may determine, in the overriding interests
of protecting the animal and public health of the country.

Section 43. Wildlife and Endangered Species. In accordance with Section 2 of Article 14 of
the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) on effect on domestic
legislation and intemational conventions, all kinds of wildlife that are subject to veterinary
quarantine regulations shall be under NLVSA jurisdiction.

Section 44, Exportation Clearance or Certificate, No animals, animal products, animal by-
products, animal effects, animal feeds, veterinary drugs, veterinary products and veterinary
biological products shall be allowed to be exported and loaded on board ships and airplanes
or any vehicle unless it is accompanied by a Veterinary Health Certificate or International
Veterinary Certificate or Commodity Clearance duly issued by the NLVSA and it has
complied with the quarantine requirements of the country of destination.

Section 45. Transhipment. All transshipment of live animals, animal products, animal by-
products, animal effects, animal feeds, and veterinary products at domestic or international
ports shall comply with the animal health and welfare rules and regulations prescribed by the
NLVSA.

Section 46. Domestic Shipping. All inland and inter-island shipments of animals, animal
products, animal by-products, animal effects, veterinary drugs and veterinary biological
products from one province or region to another shall be accompanied by a Veterinary Health
Certificate or Shipping Permit duly issued by the Director General or his duly-authorized
representatives. The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), Philippine Fisheries Development
Authority (PFDA) and other agencies/entities managing fishports, and other ports shall
require the owner, agent or master of carrier, or vessel to secure and submit a copy of
clearance from the Veterinary Inspector or his deputies assigned thereat as a prerequisite to
issuance of clearance to depart from the port.

Section 47. Mlegal or Unauthorized Shipments. Shipments of animals, animal products,
animal by-products, veterinary drugs, veterinary biological products and animal feeds which
are found to be in violation of this Act and its rules and regulations, or orders of the Director


General or his veterinary quarantine officers shall be confiscated and disposed of in a manner
prescribed by the Director General,

Section 48. Registration of Commercial Livestock Traders and Shippers. All commercial
livestock trader and shippers or handlers who are engaged in the inter-provincial and regional
shipmentitransportation of livestock shall register with the RLVSO in order to maintain
isease free areas and achieve safe, clean and orderly handling of commodities through the
various stages of marketing or distribution channels.

Section 49. Prescribing Standard Operating Procedures for Veterinary Quarantine
Services in all Seaports and Airports. The NLVSA shall establish a standard operating
procedure for the Veterinary Quarantine Services at the different quarantine facilities such as
but not limited to seaports and airports in the country.

Section 50. Declaration of Infected Areas, Premises or Zones, \f the Director General has
reasonable grounds to believe that any premises, place or area is infected with a Notifiable
Disease, he may, by a written order, declare an area to be infected. In case of an outbreak of
communicable animal and zoonotic diseases, the Director General has the power to declare
the area, region, province or specific farm or establishment under quarantine.

Section 51. Movement in Infected Areas. Movement of animals, animal products, animal by-
products, animal effects, veterinary drugs, veterinary biological products, and transport
vehicles reasonably suspected to be exposed or contaminated with a Notifiable Disease shall
be restricted in areas, region, province or specific farm or establishment that are declared
infected, unless authorized by the Director General or his duly-authorized representative. In
the event of a disease outbreak, zones shall be established to restrict the movement of animals
between zones. Notices declaring the areas under quarantine shall be posted in a conspicuous
place in the Municipal and/or Barangay hall, as the case may be.

Section 52. Lifting of Order of Quarantine. The Director General shall issue an order lifting
the quarantine where the areas, region, province or specific farm or establishment declared to
be infected are eventually determined to be safe and out of danger from such infection. This
shall authorize the resumption of shipments within the affected places.

Section 53. Duty of Owner or Holder. A person who owns or is in charge of, or has in his or
her possession or control, an animal or animal product which the person has reasonable
grounds to suspect is infected with a Notifiable Disease must as far as practicable, keep that
animal or animal product separate from not infected animals or animal products

Section 54, Controlled Shipments. \t shall be unlawful for any person to possess, administer
or use infectious disease agents, for scientific, laboratory or other purposes, unless duly
authorized by a special permit by the Director General to handle hazardous materials.

Section 55. Depopulation Order. The Director General or his duly authorized representative
may, by a written Depopulation Order require the stamping out of healthy animals in declared
infected areas, premises or zones to prevent further spread of the disease.

Section 56. Destruction Order. The Director General or his duly authorized representative
may, by a written Destruction Order, requires the proper disposal of: any animal, animal
product, and effect, and if deemed necessary, any expendable material such as, but not
limited to, litter, bedding, feed bags, chick cartoon, animal crates, cage, and feeds which is
infected, or reasonably suspected to be infected with a Notifiable Disease; and confiscated


expired, banned, unregistered, counterfeit, veterinary
and products.

ological products, veterinary drugs

‘Section 57. Disinfection Order. The Director General or his duly authorized representative
may, by a written Disinfection Order, likewise, require the owner or person in charge or in
apparent control of an area which is infected, or reasonably suspected to be infected with a
Notifiable Diasease, to clean and disinfect said area, including vehicles or any material found
therein.

Section 58. Disease-Free Areas. Declaration of any area as disease-free shall be made by the
NLVSA Director General upon the recommendation of concerned animal health authorities
of said office. The declaration of an area as disease-free shall be subject to the guidelines set
by concerned NLVSA.

Section 59. Expenses of Quarantine and Authority to Auction. The owner, consignee or
Possessor of the animals placed under quarantine shall reimburse the NLVSA for the
expenses incurred during the quarantine period of such animals. In case of his failure to do so
after a Lifting Order of Quarantine has been issued and duly served upon him, the NLVSA
shall have the right to auction off his animals to recover such expenses made.

Section 60. Non-Liability Clause. All charges for storage, demurrage, cartage, labor and
delays incident to the inspection, cost of disinfection and disposition and other post entry
Tequirement shall be paid by the importer, exporter, shipper or consignee, as the case may be.

Section 61. The Veterinary Quarantine Service Officer (VQSO). The VQSO ot any other
authorized personnel of the Center for Veterinary Quarantine Services shall not be held liable
for damages to the commodity or any other damages in the course of implementation of the
provisions of this Act, as well as its implementing rules and regulations.

Section 62. Disposal of food or garbuge from vessels or planes, No food provisions or
garbage shall be unloaded from vessels or airplanes if there is danger that such provision may
introduce any communicable animal disease into the country, especially if such provisions
originated from areas known to be infected with any communicable animal disease.

Section 63. Role of BOC, PPA, ATO and other ports. The BOC, PPA and other seaport and
airport authorities shall cooperate with the veterinary quarantine service in the enforcement of
this Act or any rules and regulations issued in the implementation thereto, and shall five
effect to the same in so far as they are connected with matters of shipping, navigation and
transportation, or shipment/transport of animals, animal products, animal by-products, animal
effects, animal feeds, and veterinary drugs/products and veterinary biologics.

Section 64. Establishment of Veterinary Quarantine Stations. The NLVSA shall establish
and maintain quarantine stations for the detention, treatment and observation of animals in
such places as may be approved from time to time by the Secretary of Agriculture, and to
place all animals arriving from foreign and domestic ports or interior places in quarantine for
such time as he may deem necessary to prevent the introduction and spread of dangerous
communicable animal diseases.


Chapter IX
INDEMNIFICATION AND DISEASE ERADICATION TRUST FUND.

Section 65. Creation of a Disease Compensation and Eradication Trust Fund, A Disease
Compensation and Eradication Trust Fund shall be provided for in the General
Appropriations Act annually be held by the Authority. It shall not be reduced and shall not
revert to the General Fund even if the same is not used for a current fiscal year. An initial
amount of Three Hundred Million Pesos (P300,000,000.00) is hereby appropriated to start the
seed fund for the Disease Compensation and Eradication Trust Fund, subject to
replenishment and increase to such amounts as circumstances may require.

Section 66. Fund Utilization. The Fund shall be applied for the payment of compensation to
the owner of animals. It shall be utilized for the payment of expenses directly connected with
controlling, eradicating or preventing, the spread of any animal disease that is notifiable or
emerging or re-emerging, exotic and zoonotic including administrative expenses.

‘Section 67. Coverage of Compensation. Only those animals that were stamped out pursuant
to the Depopulation Order issued by the Director General, as recommended by NAC-ADE
and as approved by the Secretary of Agriculture, to prevent further spread of the disease
should be indemnified. Dead animals due to notifiable and emerging or re-emerging, exotic
and zoonotic diseases are not compensable.

Section 68. Compensable Amount. The amount of compensation payable shall be more than
sixty per cent (60%) of the market value of the identified animals that are ordered
depopulated on account of a disease.

Section 69. Issuance of Compensation Guidelines. Guidelines for the payment of
compensation shall be prescribed by the NLVSA in consultation with stakeholders.

Chapter X
SANITARY AND PHYTOSANITARY (SPS) MEASURES, TRADE FACILITATION
AND HARMONIZATION

Section 70. International Harmonization. The NLVSA shall study and review national
standards on animal health, animal welfare and farm feed and food safety, participate in
intemational for a relative to formulation and adoption of international standards and
harmonize our national standards with relevant international standards.

Section 71. Certification Systems, The NLVSA shall, in consultation with stakeholders,
develop certification systems including third party certifications on animal health, animal
welfare, farm feed and food safety products, services and production in accordance with
national and international standards.

Section 72. Equivalence and Other Types of Sanitary Agreements. The NLVSA, in
consultation with other agencies and stakeholders shall develop, negotiate and implement
appropriate level of protection (ALOP) in relation to human and animal life andhealth in its
territory, based on the principle of equivalence and other types of sanitary and trade
agreements with trading partners such as but not limited to, the application of Sanitary and
Phytosanitary (SPS) Measures of the World Trade Organization (WTO).


Section 73. Transparency. The NLVSA shall have the responsibility to notify the OIE and/or
the WTO SPS Committee of the country's animal health, animal welfare and animal
production, food safety, sanitary and phytosanitary status, and other relevant matters. The
NLVSA shall inform stakeholders on the changes in the regulations and decisions.

Section 74. Zoning. The NLVSA shall have the authority to apply for recognition to the OIE
the disease-free zones and shall implement relevant measures and practices to establish and
maintain these disease-free zones as based on physical boundaries.

Section 75. Compartmentalization. The NLVSA shall establish and maintain disease-free
areas within its territory in accordance with OIE recommendations.

Chapter XI
VETERINARY LABORATORIES

Section 76, Certification and Accreditation. The NLVSA shall be responsible for controlling
both government and private veterinary testing laboratories. Only duly certified or accredited
veterinary testing laboratory facilities are allowed to do diagnostic, feed analysis and other
services. The NLVSA shall develop guidelines and standards in the certification or
accreditation of various veterinary laboratory facilities and establish quality systems towards
international certification.

Section 77. Biosafety and Biosecurity. Standards and guidelines for laboratory biosafety and
biosecurity shall be established and practiced by veterinary and feed analysis laboratories per
national and international recommendations.

Section 78, Proficiency Testing. A system of quality assurance shall be developed and
implemented to ensure continuing proficiency and competency of certified or accredited
diagnostic and assay laboratories.

Section 79. Establishment of a Specialized Diagnostic Laboratory for Swine Diseases,
There shall be established a specialized laboratory for the diagnosis of swine diseases which
have grown in complexity in recent years and adversely affected all farms in the country.

Chapter XII
REGULATIONS ON ANIMAL FEEDS AND VETERINARY PRODUCTS

Section 80. Implementing Rules and Regulations. In consonance with RA No. 1556, as
amended by PD No. 7, RA No. 1071, and Act No. 3101, the NLVSA shall provide the
necessary rules and regulations on the manufacture, production, handling, storage, sale and
use of veterinary biological products, veterinary drugs and products, veterinary devices,
mixed animal feeds, feed ingredients, feed supplements, feed additives, concentrates, base
feeds, base mixes, specialty feeds, special feed nutrient preparations, other feed products and
their establishments which have to be followed and complied with for registration.

Section 81. Registration and Licensing. Each class, type, brand or trade mark of veterinary
biological products, veterinary drugs, veterinary devices, veterinary cosmetics, mixed animal
feeds, feed ingredients, feed supplements, feed additives, concentrates, base feeds, base
cs, specialty feeds, special feed nutrient preparations, and other feed products, inclusive
of the establishments shall be registered individually and shall be assigned separate



registration numbers. A permanent Book of Records on the registration number, codes
assigned on each product and indicated therein the class, type, brand or trade mark, technical
description and manufacturer/importer of each product registered shall be kept.

Section 82. Importation of Animal Feeds, Veterinary Biological Products, Veterinary
Drugs and Related Products. Importation of animal feeds, veterinary biological products,
veterinary drugs and related products without valid SPS and permits shall not be allowed
entry. All in-transit shipments at the time of the occurrence of the foreign disease or
contagion shall be subjected to strict quarantine and laboratory testing, or automatically
denied entry and/or confiscation and disposal, as the NLVSA may determine, in the
overriding interests of protecting the animal and public health of the country.

Section 83. Temporary Revocation and Suspension of License or Permit, an/or Stoppage of
Production. Failure of any grantee of license or permit to comply with any of the
requirements provided in this Act or its implementing rules and regulations shall be sufficient
ground for the immediate temporary suspension or revocation of such license or permit,
and/or stoppage of production and marketing for the particular product, with authority to
institute recall order for said product, subject to the institution of immediate formal
proceedings against the grantee or licensee.

Chapter XIII
ANIMAL AND LIVESTOCK TRADE PROMOTION

Section 84, Animal Industry Market Profiles. The NLVSA shall maintain a database of
national, regional and local animal industry market profile to support the business
development of animal industries and allied industries. It shall, likewise, integrate marketing
information and develop a knowledge management system of the different
commodities/industries from national to local level.

Section 83. Country Animal Products Export Strategies. The NLVSA shall formulate
country animal products export strategies, conduct research and benchmark export/import
protocols, prepare industry analysis and reports of potential export market of the different
animal food commodities, and spearhead in the promotion of exportable products and by-
products to improve the performance of local agribusiness establishments producing these
tradable products and by-products.

Section 86. Contracting and Subcontracting Arrangement. The NLVSA shall facilitate and
coordinate any contracting and subcontracting arrangement between local and foreign
investors, as necessary to boost and improve the animal, animal products and by-products
export and local trading performance of the animal industry stakeholders.

Section 87. Export Incentives Programs. The NLVSA shall formulate and implement the
guidelines and policies for the registration and certification of bona fide and eligible
exporters and facilitate and coordinate applicants and stakeholders that would like to avail of
the different export incentives programs of the NLVSA, Department of Agriculture and other
government agencies that are also providing related services to stimulate international
marketing of Philippine-made products,

Section 88. Livestock Business and Industry Strategic Development. The NLVSA shall
formulate and regularly update short, medium and long-term livestock business and industry


strategic development plan which will serve as guide and roadmap for the development of the
different industries in the livestock sector cut across the agribusiness supply chain.

Section 89, Livestock Marketing Information System. The NLVSA shall strengthen the
livestock marketing information system through the development of database systems,
printed and online publications of marketing information which could be readily accessible to
the input suppliers, producers, marketers, processors, industry associations, government and
other stakeholders.

Section 90. Socio-Economic and Marketing Research. The NLVSA shall strengthen the
utilization of social-economic and marketing research to maximize the benefit or the different
methodologies and strategies of these interdisciplinary researches for the sustained growth
and development and the trade promotion of the country’s animal industry's products and
services, considering the social and economic factors that contributes to the increase in
income, employment generation, improvement of standard of living and quality of life of
livestock farmers, traders, processors, consumers, and in incorporating the socio-economic
impact assessment, as an integral part of any project, program and policy implementation by
the NLVSA and DA on the different industries/commodities.

Section 91. Marketing Information Governance. The NLVSA shall support the development
of marketing information governance to achieve a more transparent, effective exchange and
higher coverage of marketing information dissemination in a national scale, t0 boost the
competitive advantage, strategic and supply chain management of local livestock farmers,
traders, processors and other relevant stakeholders, considering the different bilateral and
multilateral trade agreements in which the country is already a part of and continually
complying with national commitments to efficiently compete in the local and in the
international market.

Chapter XIV
UTILIZATION OF GOVERNMENT FARMS

Section 92. Public-Private Sector Participation, The NLVSA shall maximize the economic
potential of its various animal stock and research farms for the benefit of the animal industry
through joint government and private sector initiative and participation in the utilization and
development thereof.

Section 93. Use of Government Lands for Quasi-Public Purposes. All lands of the
government which have been reserved, donated, leased or acquired for animal stock farms ot
breeding purposes are hereby reclassified or allowed for quasi-public purposes. The Secretary
of Agriculture upon the recommendation of the NLVSA in coordination with LGUs shail
have the authority to enter into joint yenture agreements over such lands with private
individuals, corporations and cooperatives with the end in view of maximizing their full
potential for livestock production purposes, processing and marketing in achieving the
accelerated development of the livestock industry in accordance with the currently approved
zoning ordinance.

Chapter XV
PROHIBITIONS AND PENALTIES

Section 94. Failure to Report Notifiable Diseases. All animal producers, owners, operators,
farm managers, farm veterinarians, and farm consultants who have sufficient knowledge oa a


notifiable disease and fail to report it to the LGU Veterinary Office or to the NLVSA or to
RLVSO immediately within 24 hours by the quickest means possible shall be fined for the
first offense, the amount of Twenty Thousand Pesos (P20,000.00) and for each succeeding
offense, imprisonment of ten (10) days.

Section 95. Obstruction of Duty. The farm or establishment owner, transport operator,
animal facility operator or any person acting on his behalf who disobeys, evades, obstructs or
hinders the NLVSA Director General, or any of his enforcement officers or deputized officrs
to perform his duty shall, upon conviction, be penalized by a fine of Twenty Thousand Pesos
(P20,000.00). A repetition of the same offense shall be punished by imprisonment of six (6)
months and cancellation of the registration, permit or license of such person, farm or
establishment owner, transport operator whichever is applicable,

Section 96. False Statements. Any person who knowingly makes false declaration or
misleading statements in his application for license, certificate of product registration or
permit, shall upon conviction, be penalized by a fine of Fifty Thousand Pesos (PS0,000.00)
and imprisonment of six (6) months,

Section 97. Non-registration of Transport Facilities and Equipments. Failure of the owner
to register vessels, vehicles, and equipment related to transport of animals, animal products
and by-products, animal feeds and feedstuffs, veterinary drugs, veterinary biological
products, veterinary devices and other products shall upon conviction be penalized by a fine
of Ten Thousand Pesos (P10,000,00) and/or imprisonment of sixty (60) days.

Section 98. Non-observance of Prescribed Procedures, Any person or establishment
Operator which during the course of regular operation fails to observe NLVSA approved
procedures or during seizure, detention or quarantine fails to seek clearance from NLVSA on
the handling, disposal, or destruction and removal of live or dead animals, animal products,
animal by-products, animal effects, veterinary biological products, veterinary drugs and
veterinary devices, animal feeds and feed ingredients shall, upon conviction, be penalized by
a fine of Fifty Thousand Pesos (P50,000.00) and imprisonment of thirty (30) days.

Section 99. Unauthorized Operation and Use of Registration Number. Establishment
operators/owners found without a valid License to Operate from NLVSA or unlawfully using
the registration number of another feed, veterinary biological products, veterinary drugs and
products establishments shall, upon conviction, be penalized by a fine of One Hundred
Thousand Pesos (P100,000.00) and imprisonment of thirty (30) days.

Section 100. Failure to Display and Use of Fake or Expired Registration Certificate,
Establishment operators found not displaying the Registration Certificate or displaying fake
or expired certificates in the premises of the establishments shall, upon conviction, be
penalized by a fine of Ten Thousand Pesos (P10,000.00) and closure of said establishments
for second offense.

Section 101. Mlegal Manufacture and Marketing of Animal Feeds, Veterinary Drugs and
Veterinary Biological Products, Any petson or establishment operator engaged in the
manufacture, trade, importation, distribution, use or sale of banned, substandard, tampered,
adulterated, deficient, unlabeled or mislabeled, unbranded ormisbranded, expired, repacked,
unregistered or damaged through improper handling of veterinary biological products,
veterinary drugs and products, veterinary devices, mixed animal feeds, feed ingredients, feed
supplements, feed additives, premixes, base feeds, base mixes, concentrates, specialty feeds,
special feed nutrient preparations and other feed products, in any form shall, upon conviction


be penalized by a fine of One Hundred Thousand Pesos (P100,000.00) and imprisonment of
thirty (30) days.

Section 102. Illegal Acts on Labeling and Use of Fake Veterinary Drugs and Veterinary
Biological Products. Any person ot establishment operator found guilty of tampering,
altering, mutilating, destroying, obliterating or removing the whole or any part of the labeling
material packages and tags or labels of, or using fake or adulterated veterinary biological
products, veterinary drugs and veterinary devices, mixed animal feeds, feed ingredients, feed
supplements, feed additives, base feeds, base mixes, concentrates, specialty feeds, special
feed nutrient preparations and other feed products, in any form, shall be fined One Hundred
Fifty Thousand Pesos (P150,000.00) and imprisonment of sixty (60) days.

Section 103. IMlegal Use and Sale of Veterinary and Human Drugs. Any person found to be
using and selling unlawful or unauthorized veterinary or human drugs for animals raised for
human consumption shall, upon conviction, be penalized by a fine of Twenty-five Thousand
Pesos (P25,000.00).

Section 104. Refusal to Vaccinate Animals. Refusal of an owner or caretaker to have his
animals vaccinated during outbreaks of notifiable and priority diseases, emerging, or re-
emerging diseases and exotic diseases shall, upon conviction, be penalized by a fine of not
less than Ten Thousand Pesos (P10,000.00) an/or imprisonment of ten (10) days.

Section 10S. Other Violations of this Act. Any person, officers of corporation, association,
organization or establishment found to be in violation of any of the provisions of this Act that
are not covered by the foregoing provisions, or rules and regulations issued therewith shall,
upon conviction be penalized by a fine of Fifty Thousand Pesos (P50,000.00) but not more
than One Hundred Thousand Pesos (P100,000.00) and/or imprisonment of six (6) months to
one (1) year, at the discretion of the court.

Section 106. Exceptions under certain conditions. Nothing in this Chapter shall be construed
as requiring the Director General to certify for prosecution any first violation of this Act
whenever sufficient compliance and public interest, with no damage caused to the public or
any individual, will be adequately served by a suitable written notice of violation and
warning duly endorsed by the appropriate Advisory Committee described under Chapter 1V
hereof, and recommended by the Director General to the Secretary of Agriculture for
approval.

‘Section 107. Repeated Violation. Any person found to have committed a second violation of
the same offense shall suffer the penalty of fine and/or imprisonment prescribed for said
offense.

Chapter XVI
REVOCATION AND SUSPENSION PROCEEDINGS

Section 108, Institution of Complaint. The Director General or upon the instance of any
interested party may file a complaint before the hearing committee for the formal suspension
or revocation of the license or permit duly issued by the NLVSA for violation of its terms and
conditions, or any provisions of the rules and regulations applicable thereto.

Section 109. Hearing Committee. A Hearing Committee is hereby created to hear any
complaint filed under the preceding section. It shall be composed of at least three (3)


members. The Director General or in his unavailability, the deputy head of the Center for
Animal Products and Services Regulation shall act as Chairman with the Division Chief of
the commodity concerned and any other Division Chief of NLVSA as may be designated by
the Director General, as members thereof.

Section 110. Powers and Functions. The Hearing Committee shall have the following
powers and functions:

1. To conduct formal investigation and hearings on the cases before it and make
recommendations for appropriate actions thereon for approval of the Director
General;

2, To administer oaths, issue summons and subpoenas requiring the attendance and
testimony of witnesses or the production of such books, papers, contracts, records,
statement of accounts, agreements, and other documents as may be material to a just
determination of the matter under investigation, and to testify in any investigation or
hearing conducted in pursuance to this Act.

3. To hold any person in contempt, directly or indirectly, and impose appropriate
penalties therefor ranging from One Thousand to Ten Thousand Pesos (P1,000.00 to
10,000.00);

4. To enjoin any or all acts involving or arising from any case pending before the
Hearing Committee which, if not restrained forthwith, may cause grave or irreparable
damage to any party or the government;

5. To use all reasonable means to ascertain the facts, issues and applicable laws, rules
and jurisprudence in each case speedily and objectively and without regard to
technicalities of law or procedure, all in the interest of due process,

In any proceeding before the Committee, the parties may be represented by a legal
counsel. The Committee report, as approved by the Director General, shall be final
and binding on the parties after the lapse of fifteen (15) days from its date of receipt
of parties involved, Subject to execution pending appeal, any aggrieved party may
appeal to the Secretary of Agriculture within the same period.

Chapter XVII
GENERAL PROVISIONS,

Section 111. Confidentiality of Technical Information. The NLVSA shall take such measure
as may be necessary to protect trade, industrial and policy data of industry stakeholders
acquired or gathered during the course of official business when disclosure of such
information will prejudice the competitiveness or operational viability of concemed persons
or entities.

‘Section 112, Regulatory Fees and Retention of Income.

1. The NLVSA shall have the authority to impose charges and fees for the services as
rendered subject to the approval of the Secretary of Agricultu

2. All income of the NLVSA shall be deposited in.an authorized government depository

bank as a special regulatory fund. Any interest earned by such fund shall form part of

the retained income. Such fund shall be used primarily for but not limited to the

acquisition and expansion of office and laboratory space, human resource

development and expansion, purchase of laboratory equipment and motor vehicles,

the upgrading of its current facilities and equipment, and maintenance, and other

Operating expenses of the central and regional laboratories, and other activities,



services of the agency in the performance of its mandate and support enforcement and.
monitoring activities;

3. The special regulatory fund shall be allowed to accept grants, donations and other
endowments from local and external sources in accordance with pertinent laws, rules
and regulations;

4, Any contribution, donation, bequest, subsidy or financial aid which may be made to
the NLVSA for the implementation of this Act shall constitute as an allowable
deduction from the taxable income of the donor and shall be exempted from donor's
tax;

5. ‘The retention, use and application of this fund shail not be delayed, amended, altered,
modified, or affected in any way by an order or directive from any executive office,
but will be subject only to the general accounting rules and guidelines by the
Commission on Audit (COA). The primary purpose of the fund as herein stated shall
prevail over any other purpose that may be pursued by NLVSA on its own initiative
or through an order or directive by any higher office. The NLVSA shall submit
annually to the Secretaries of DA and the Department of Budget and Management
(DBM) a report on how funds were utilized including its accomplishments;

6. There shall also be established a legal fund out of the interest earned from the retained

some for use in case of legal actions against the officials, employees of the NLVSA

in the course of the exercise of their official functions and duties.

Section 113. Appointment of Veterinary Attaches, The DA shall strengthen the international
animal health, disease surveillance, and information gathering capability by the appointment
of veterinary attaches in countries that are major livestock trading partners. In other countries,
the NLVSA, subject to the approval of the Secretary of DA, and in coordination with other
government entities concemed, may require Filipino representatives abroad and foreign-
based personnel to assist in the collection of data on animal health, disease surveillance, and
other related information,

Section 114. Foreign and Local Grants and Aids. The NLVSA, in itself or in collaboration
with other agencies, shall receive grants and other funds for its research activities and various
programs.

Section 115. Veterinary Education. The NLVSA in coordination with CHED and PVMA
shall regularly provide recommendations to make veterinary medical curriculum responsive
to the needs and imperatives of the animal industry.

Section 116, Mandatory Review. The Congress of the Philippines shall undertake a
mandatory review of this Act at least once every five (5) years and as often as it may deem
necessary to ensure that veterinary policies and guidelines remain responsive to changing
circumstances.

Chapter XVII
TRANSITORY PROVISIONS

Section 117. Implementing Rules and Regulations. The NLVSA shall formulate and
recommend to the Secretary of DA the necessary rules and regulations for the full
implementation of this Act within a period of ninety (90) days after its effectivity.


Section 118. Creation and Reclassification of Positions. The NLVSA is hereby authorized
to create, upgrade, collapse or reclassify existing positions to veterinary and related positions
necessary to effectively implement the provisions of this Act.

Chapter XIX
FINAL PROVISIONS

Section 119. Appropriations. The appropriations for the NLVSA shall be included in the
budget of the DA under the General Appropriations Act shall be used to effectively carry out
the implementation of this Act. In addition hereto, the amount of One Hundred Million Pesos
(P100,000,000.00) shall be appropriated for the establishment of a specialized diagnostic
laboratory for swine diseases as provided under this Act.

Section 120. Repealing Clause. All laws or parts thereof, decrees, orders, rules and
regulations inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified
accordingly.

Section 121. Separability Clause. If any of the provisions of this Act is declare invalid, the
other provisions not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect.

Section 122. Effectivity Clause. This Act shall take effect immediately following its
publication in a newspaper of general circulation and in the Official Gazette.

Approved,