NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
Senate
of ti);'
*22 JUL25 PI 58
S. No.
SENATE
846
RliCEH/hG BY.
Introduced by SENATOR RAMON BONG REVILLA, JR.
AN ACT
CREATING THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND ENFORCEMENT 
BUREAU (EPEB) UNDER TH^ DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND 
NATURAL RESOURCES (DENR), PROVIDING FOR ITS POWERS AND 
FUNCTIONS AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER 
PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
In 2019, the Philippines was declared as the deadliest country for land and 
environmental defenders, averaging more than three deaths a week by an 
international non-profit organization. Global Witness1. For the year 2018, a total of 
164 activists were killed. In addition, many activists face death threats, intimidation 
and even arrests.
In July 2019, forest ranger Bienvinido Veguilla, Jr., was hacked to death In 
Palawan by alleged illegal loggers2. In November of the same year. Josh Peregrino, a 
special investigator with the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office 
(CENRO) in the City of Bislig in Mindanao was gunned down.
In light of increasing attacks on environmental defenders, this proposed 
measure seeks for the creation of an enforcement bureau within the Department of
1 2019, July 30. The World Staff. The Philippines ideatified as the deadliest country for environmental activists. 
Accessed; httDr.://wmv.1)ri.org/stoiics/2019-07-30/phi..ppines-idcntified-deadlicst-counti-v-enviroamental-activists
2 2019, December 10. Mongabay. Killings of environmental defenders on the rise in the Philippines. Accessed: 
https://ne\vs.mongabav.com/2019/i2/ki]lings-oF-enviroTimeTttal-defenders-on-the-rise-in-the-Dhilippines/
1


Environment and Natural Resources that will train and arm enforcers. This will 
effectively give the Department stronger enforcement powers.
I urge my colleagues to urgently consider this proposed measure in our effort 
to protect our environmental defenders and show our appreciation to their labours 
and noble work for our environment and for the country, in general.
RAMOI^ONG RE VILLA, JR.


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
s. No. 846
Ife'l Senate
of tl.iC cri'tai^?
*22 JUL25 PI 58
RHCEIVtD 3V
Introduced by SENATOR RAMON BONG REVILLA, 3R.
AN ACT
CREATING THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND ENFORCEMENT 
BUREAU (EPEB) UNDER THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND 
NATURAL RESOURCES (DENR), PROVIDING FOR ITS POWERS AND 
FUNCTIONS AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER 
PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
1 
SECTION 1. Short title. - This Act shall be known as the "Environmental
2 
Protection and Enforcement Bureau (EPEB) Act".
3 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to:
4 
a) Maintain an effective, competent, modern current and highly-trained
5 
enforcement body to address violations of environment and natural
6 
resources laws, rules, and regulations in order to protect and advance
7 
the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology In accord
8 
with the rhythm and harmony of nature;
9 
b) Strengthen and professionalize environment and natural resources
10 
protection and law enforcement with appropriate structure, science and
11 
technology, manpower, and capability;
12 
c) Formulate plans and programs relative to environment and natural
13 
resources protection to enhance and modernize capacities to address all
14 
types of environmental crimes. Including transnational/transboundary
1


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violations, taking cognizance of the worsening global environmental
2 
situation;
3 
d) Promote shard duties and responsibilities, and capacitate other law
4 
enforcement agencies and local government units on environmental 
law
5 
enforcement; and
6 
e) Ensure fair, swift, and certain enforcement of environmental laws.
7 
Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act, the following terms and
8 
phrases shall mean as follows:
9 
a) Abatement- refers to a legal document issued by the Bureau, its officers
10 
and enforcers, ordering the suspension or cessation, in whole or in part,
11 
or removal of a problem or nuisances, which Is against environment and
12 
natural resources laws committed in prohibited areas, and/or other
13 
public areas, where such act Is prohibited.
14 
b) Bureau - refers to the Environmental Protection and Enforcement
15 
Bureau
16 
c) Cease and Desist Order (CDO) - refers to an orde" duly issued by the
17 
Secretary or the Bureau directing or enjoining any person, business or
18 
organization, or government agency, to stop or continue doing an act
19 
considered harmful or illegal and/or in order to protect, preserve or
20 
rehabilitate the environment. A CDO may be permanent, for a specified
21 
period of time, or until a final administrative or judicial determination of
22 
its legality occurs.
23 
d) Confiscation - refers to the act of taking In favor of the government, real
24 
or personal property, from a person without payment or compensation
25 
In an administrative proceeding
26 
e) Custody- refers to temporary holding or safekeeping of any evidence
27 
obtained or seized in an enforcement operation conducted by, or with
28 
the participation of the Bureau, while a case is pending before any
29 
administrative body or the courts
30 
f) Department - refers to the Department of Environment and Natural
31 
Resources (DENR)


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g) Emergency - as used in this Act emergency occurs when there is a 
demonstrated impending threat to human life, biodiversity, or 
Irreparable damage to ihe integrity and stability of the ecosystem
h) Enforcement areas - refers to any geographic area in the Philippines 
where priority enforcement response is needed
i) Forensic - refers to the application scientific methods of analyzing 
evidence and samples for purposes of criminal, civil, or administrative 
procedure
j) Impoundment- the taking into custody of private property, such as a 
vehicle, facility or implements, by government action with custody 
documentation pending the outcome of a criminal prosecution under this 
Act
k) Prohibited area - refers to areas explicitly prohibited or deemed by law 
to be free from human habitation or interference such as, but not limited 
to, water easements, areas identified as geo-hazard zones, or in any 
other prohibited zones within protected areas including strict protection 
zones, multiple use zor es, and buffer zones, or areas designated under 
disaster risk reduction and management plan of LGUs as hazard prone 
areas
l) Reguiated Community - refers to all persons, businesses or 
organizations, or government agencies or instrumentalities of the 
government whose use, utilization, exploitation, development, 
management, conservation and protection of environment and natural 
resources are governed under the administrative authority of the 
Department
m) Secretary - refers to t'ne Secretary of the Department of Environment 
and Natural Resources (DENR)
n) Seizure- as used in this Act, seizure refers to the taking by enforcement 
officers of potential evidence from a person who Is suspected of violating 
environmental laws, rules and regulation. Seizure of evidence may be 
done by virtue of a search warrant, or on the occasion of a warrantless 
arrest or warrantless search


1 
o) strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation (SLAPP)- as used in this
2 
Act the defense of SLAPP shall be available to Bureau enforcers and
3 
those they have deput'zed, complainants, and witnesses charged 
with
4 
SLAPP suits.
5 
p) Transnational or transboundary violations - refers to a continuing
6 
offense in contravention of both environmental laws and international
7 
treaties and conventions on environment to which the Philippines is a
8 
signatory. An act is deemed a continuing offense when the act may be
9 
prosecuted and tried not only in the court or administrative bodies of the
10 
place where it began, but also in the court or administrative bodies of
11 
the place where part of the offense was continued or consummated.
12 
q) Wildlife Trafficking - refers to transportation and/or transshipment of
13 
wildlife, wildlife by-products or derivatives, from, 
to or through the
14 
Philippines
15 
Sec. 4. Creation. - There is hereby created the Environmental Protection and
16 
Enforcement Bureau (EPEB) which shall be uniformed service and a line agency under
17 
the Department.
18 
This Act shall transfer and consolidate all enforcement functions performed by
19 
different Bureaus and attached agencies of the Department and those that may be
20 
created hereafter.
21 
The Bureau shall exercise concurrent enforcement authority with agencies
22 
having jurisdiction under other laws.
23 
Sec. 5. Jurisdiction. - The Bureau shall carry out environmental law
24 
enforcement functions in the entire Philippine archipelago including air space,
25 
territorial waters, exclusive economic zones, continental shelf, and other areas where
26 
the Philippines exercises sovereignty and sovereign rights, or jurisdiction, in
27 
accordance with Philippine and international laws. It shall be under the control and
28 
supervision of the Secretary.
29 
Sec. 6. Powers and Functions. - The Bureau has the power and authority to:
30 
a) Enforce, interdict ongoing violations, arrest, investigate, and prosecute
31 
all violations of environmental and natural resources laws, rules and


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regulations, including those over which other agencies exercise 
jurisdiction;
b) Take custody of all seized and confiscated items, implements, 
conveyances, tools, and equipment;
c) Initiate the filing of appropriate cases and/or proceedings;
d) File the appropriate cases in court in consultation with the National 
Prosecution Service when necessary, and in coordination with the Office 
of the Ombudsman in cases involving government officials and 
employees;
e) Execute decisions and dispose of confiscated items in administrative 
cases pertaining to environment and natural resources violations, and in 
court cases as may be directed by the court;
f) Call on the Department of Justice (DOJ), Philippine National Police (PNP), 
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the National Bureau of 
Investigation (NBI), other government law enforcement agencies, 
including government-owned and/or controlled corporations, to aid in 
the enforcement of laws against environmental crimes;
g) Conduct intelligence operations and forensics investigation in 
furtherance of the foregoing powers and functions;
h) Issue subpoena for the appearance of any person for investigation or 
production of any documents, through its officers from the ranks of 
Director-General, Deputy Director, Directors for Enforcement, 
Investigation and/or Legal Services, and Regional Director, and cite In 
contempt any person who violates or disobeys orders and processes duly 
issued by the Bureau;
I) Accept In the name of the Philippine Government, funds or financial 
assistance for immediate disbursements of other property in the interest 
of, or as may be necessary to carry out its functions, and which shall be 
properly allocated and utilized directly and exclusively for environmental 
protection and enforcement;
j) Establish and maintain coordination mechanisms with other law 
enforcement agencies locally and internationally;


1 
k) Develop enforcement systems and strategies based on best practices
2 
and using the most advanced and reliable technologies;
3 
I) Impose administrative fines/citations for In-flagrate violations of
4 
environment and natural resource laws, rules and regulations pursuant
5 
to schedule of fines to be issued by the Office of the Secretary;
6 
m) Maintain database of all relevant information such as, but not limited to,
7 
environmental cases, environment-related 
incidents, permittees,
8 
licensees, park and forest occupants, tenured migrants, and scientific
9 
research data and information;
10 
n) Issue and implement Cease and Desist Order, Closure Order, Notice of
11 
Violation, and Abatement Order in the exercise of its administrative
12 
powers pursuant to pertinent rules and regulations issued by the
13 
Department;
14 
o) Formulate and Implement policies, guidelines, and programs necessary
15 
to effectively carry out its mandate; and
16 
p) Perform other related functions as the Secretary of the Department may
17 
assign.
18 
Nothing herein shall prevent other law enforcement agencies from
19 
exercising jurisdiction over violations of environmental laws, rules and regulations.
20 
Provided that, once the Bureau takes cognizance of the aforementioned violations, the
21 
Bureau shall take the lead and other law enforcement agencies shall collaborate and
22 
render assistance.
23 
Sec. 7. Organizational Structure. - The Bureau shall be organized into the
24 
Office of the Director-General, Deputy Director-Generals for Operations and for
25 
Administration, Division Chiefs for Enforcement, Investigation and Legal, Finance and
26 
Logistics, Administrative and Human Resource, Planning and Knowledge Information
27 
Service, and Forensic Laboratory. Each service shall be composed of the necessary
28 
divisions and sections. The Bureau shall establish regional offices composed of district
29 
offices to cover designated enforcement areas. Field units may be established as
30 
needed to work with the PENR and/or CENR offices, or clusters thereof.
31 
The Bureau's personnel and their respective positions and rank shall have
32 
appropriate staffing complement, as follows:


Job Title
Career Level
Salary Grade
Director-General
Director VI
SG 30
Deputy Director General
for Operations
Director V
SG 29
Deputy Director General
for Administration
Director V
SG 29
Regional Director
Director III
SG 27
Chief for Enforcement
Division
Director I
SG 25
Chief for Investigation and
Legal Division
Director I
SG 25
Chief for Finance and
Logistics Division
Director I
SG 25
Chief for Administrative
and Human Resource
Division
Director I
SG 25
Chief for Planning and
Knowledge Information
Division
Director I
SG 25
Director for Forensic
Laboratory
Director I
SG 25
Regional Level Division
Chief
Attorney V
SG 25
Supervising Environmental
Prosecutor
Attorney IV
SG 23
Environmental Prosecutor
Attorney III
SG 21
Regional 
Enforcement
Division Chief
Division Chief
SG 24
Regional 
Management
Division Chief
Division Chief
SG 24


Supervising Enforcement
Officer
Senior Officer V
SG 22
Enforcement Officer IV
Officer IV
SG 19
Enforcement Officer III
Officer III
SG 16
Enforcement Officer II
Officer II
SG 13
Enforcement Officer I
Officer I
SG 11
Ranger Technician
Ranger III
SG 9
Ranger
Ranger II
SG7
Ranger
Ranger I
SG 5
Sec. 8. Forensic Laboratory. - The Bureau shall establish and maintain an up- 
to-date forensic laboratory to be headed by a Director and supported by as many 
sections as may be deemed necessary, which may include chemical and toxicology, 
genetics, criminalistics, veterinary, morphology, and digital. The Forensic Laboratory 
may be composed of the following staffing complement:
Job Title
Career Level
Salary Grade
Director for Forensic
Laboratory
Director I
SG 25
Section 
Chief 
on
Chemistry and Toxicology
Section Chief
SG 22
Section Chief on Genetics
and Forensic Biology
Section Chief
SG 22
Section 
Chief 
on
Criminalistics
Section Chief
SG 22
Section 
Chief 
on
Veterinary
Section Chief
SG 22
Section 
Chief 
on
Taxonomy 
and
Morphology
Section Chief
SG 22
Section Chief on Geology
Section Chief
SG 22


Senior 
Computer
Programmer 
and
Information Technology
Officer
ENRE Officer IV
SG 19
Analyst III
ENRE Officer III
SG 16
Analyst II
ENRE Officer II
SG 13
Analyst I
ENRE Officer I
SG 11
1
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Sec. 9. Environment and Natural Resources Law Enforcement Academy. - The
3 
DENR shall establish an Environmental and Natural Resources Law Enforcement
4 
Academy which shall be responsible for the recruitment, development and conduct of
5 
basic and advance-level environmental law enforcement training courses, and
6 
continuing skills enhancement of all Bureau enforcers and personnel. The Academy
7 
shall provide other Philippine law enforcement agencies and institutions high-quality
8 
standardized trainings on environmental law enforcement. Including local
9 
governments.
10 
Sec. 10. Powers and Functions of the Director General. - The Director Genera!
11 
shall have access to all official records of the Government and the regulated
12 
communities of the Department in the furtherance of his/her duties and
13 
responsibilities, and shall performs the following powers and functions:
14 
a) Direct, control and administer the operations of the Bureau, and deploy
15 
any of its officials apd operatives for missions;
16 
b) Formulate policies, guidelines, programs and projects to implement this
17 
law and recommend policies that would enable the Bureau to take
18 
additional necessary measures in exercising Its powers;
19 
c) Develop a system and allocate funds for informant's rewards and
20 
whistleblower protection;
21 
d) Recommend and/or direct appropriate agencies to effect emergency
22 
containment and reriiediatlon measures in relation to violations of
23 
environment and natural resources laws, rules, and regulations;


1 
e) Initiate and strategize training and deputation of environmental law
2 
enforcement officers and, whenever practicable their consolidation and
3 
organization in accordance with existing laws, rules and regulations;
4 
f) Designate and/or authorize the use of informants for investigative
5 
purposes including the hiring of consultants, subject to pertinent laws,
6 
rules and regulations, as may be required;
7 
g) Issue mission orders and permits to carry duly-issued agency firearms
8 
of its organic personnel or other duly deputized officers who are
9 
conducting or assisting in investigation and enforcement operations;
10 
h) Ensure proper inventory, identification and Impoundment of
11 
confiscated and/or forfeited objects. Implements, and conveyances;
12 
i) Create and/or abolish divisions/units and positions within the Bureau
13 
that may be required for the expeditious, effective and efficient
14 
discharge of its duties and responsibilities; and remove, suspend, or
15 
otherwise discipline Bureau officials, enforcers and suspend, or
16 
otherwise discipline Bureau officials, enforcers and personnel for
17 
causes provided under the Civil Service Rules and Regulations and
18 
other pertinent laws, rules and regulations, subject to the approval by
19 
the Secretary; and
20 
j) Perform other acts that are necessary, proper or incidental to the
21 
performance of his duties and responsibilities as may be assigned by
22 
the Secretary.
23 
Sec. 11. Powers and Functions of Bureau Officers and Enforcers. - The
24 
members of the Bureau shall be pence officers, and as law enforcers, shall have the
25 
following additional powers and functions:
26 
a) To detect, interdict, and investigate any environmental violations and
27 
to make arrests, searches and seizures in accordance with existing
28 
laws, rules and regulations;
29 
b) To seize and Initiate confiscation proceedings for prohibited items
30 
including objects, implements, and conveyances used in the violation
31 
of environmental law, as provided for by applicable laws, rules and
32 
regulations, and to inventory said items;
10


1 
c) To take and require sworn affidavits of person or persons summoned
2 
in connection with cases under investigation and to administer oaths in
3 
cases under investigation, subject to limitations imposed by the
4 
Constitution and laws, rules and regulations;
5 
d) To carry suitable and adequate agency-issued firearms for enforcement
6 
operations and personal security;
7 
e) To have access to all official records of the government and the
8 
regulated community, where such records relate to their official
9 
functions under this law; and
10 
f) To perform such other functions as may be assigned by the Bureau.
11 
Sec. 12. Benefits and Privileges. - The Bureau shall provide its personnel with
12 
the following benefits:
13 
a) Health care services or insurance for all its regular personnel;
14 
b) Accident insurance for ail its employees and deputized officers;
15 
c) Hazard pay, subject to existing laws, rules and regulations; and
16 
d) Access to a legal assistance and support fund.
17 
Sec. 13. Inter-agency Environmental Enforcement Coordination. - The Bureau
18 
shall establish and maintain close coordination, cooperation and linkages with national
19 
and international coordinative bodies, multilateral agencies, and organizations that
20 
address environmental crimes.
21 
Sec. 14. Stakeholder's Engagement/People's Participation. - Active and direct
22 
participation of national government agencies (NGAs), local government units (LGUs),
23 
academe, media, people's organization (POs), non-government organizations (NGOs),
24 
including the citizenry, shall be encouraged. The Bureau shall take measures to ensure
25 
responsiveness and feedback mechanisms for maximum participation, engagement
26 
and transparency.
27 
Sec, 15. Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation (SLAPP) in the
28 
Enforcement of this Act - The defense of SLAPP as defined by existing laws shall be
29 
available to Bureau enforcers and those they have deputized, complainants, and
30 
witnesses. This remedy is available even during preliminary Investigation and relevant
31 
administrative cases. The Bureau shall provide sufficient assistance for those
32 
enforcers, deputies, complainants, and witnesses charged with SLAPP suits.
11


1 
The Rules of Procedure for Environmental Cases shall govern the procedure
2 
in civil, criminal, and special civil actions involving the enforcement or violations of this
3 
Act, including actions treated as a SLAPP as provided in this section.
4 
Sec. 16. Prohibition on the Issuance of Temporary Restraining Orders,
5 
Preliminary Injunctions, and Preiiminary Mandatory Injunctions. - No court, other than
6 
the Supreme Court, shall issue an injunction or restraining order against the
7 
Department and Bureau in the lawful enforcement of environmental and natural
8 
resources laws.
9 
Sec. 17. Assaults against Environment and Natural Resources Enforcement
10 
Officers and Deputies. - Any person, and persons whether natural or juridical, who
11 
shall attack, employ force or seriously intimidates any environment and natural
12 
resources enforcement officer or his deputies, while engaged in the performance of
13 
official duties, or on the occasion of the performance of such duties shall be charged
14 
with direct assault under the Revised Penal Code.
15 
The penalties of indirect assault as defined under the Revised Penal Code shall
16 
be imposed upon any person coming to the aid of the environment and natural
17 
resources enforcement or his deputy In the enforcement of his duties.
18 
Sec. 18. Administrative Adjudication. - The Secretary is authorized to organize
19 
and standardize administrative adjudication mechanisms to impose fines and other
20 
penalties provided for under existing laws, rules and regulations and cause the
21 
issuance of procedural rules and regulations as may be appropriate.
22 
Sec. 19. Power to Issue Cease and Desist Orders and to Summarily Abate
23 
Without the Necessity of Judicial Order. - The Bureau may, subject to the
24 
requirements of administrative due process, issue cease and desist order/s, and to
25 
summarily eject any person and/or issue abatement order, removal, dismantling, or
26 
demolition of any illegal structures from a prohibited area, without the necessity of
27 
judicial order.
28 
Provided that in cases of emergency, the Bureau may order the immediate
29 
exit or departure of the offender from the prohibited area. The Bureau may call on
30 
other enforcement agencies to assist In executing the order to vacate.
31 
Sec. 20. Authority of the Director-General of the Bureau or the Duly Authorized
32 
Representative to Issue Notice of Violation and Seizure Order. - In all cases of
12


1 
violations of environmental laws, rules and regulations, the Director-General or his
2 
duly authorized representative, may, in appropriate cases, issue notices of violation
3 
and order the seizure of any property subject of the offense, including conveyances,
4 
implements, tools and equipment used in the commission of the offense.
5 
Sec. 21. Funding Source and Appropriation, - The funds required for the
6 
Implementation of this Act shall be taken from the General Appropriations Act (GAA)
7 
and may be augmented from the following:
8 
a) Integrated Protected Area Fund (IPAF);
9 
b) Environmental and user fees;
10 
c) EPIRA;
11 
d) Road users'tax; and
12 
e) Administrative fines and penalties.
13 
Provided that, all funds collected shall be pooled together as a single account
14 
that will cover all operational expenses.
15 
Sec. 22. Transitory Provisions. - All unexpended appropriations, real and
16 
personal properties, documents, records and other papers related to enforcement
17 
which are kept and/or managed by enforcement divisions, sections and units of the
18 
Department and attached agencies shall be transferred to the Bureau.
19 
All incumbent officials and personnel currently assigned and/or designated at
20 
the regional enforcement divisions, PENR enforcement sections, or CENR enforcement
21 
units who have undergone the mandatory training on enforcement as provided under
22 
this Act may continue to serve as an officer or enforcer of the Bureau, or choose to
23 
be reassigned In non-enforcement officer or Bureau of the Department.
24 
All incumbent enforcement officials, enforcers and personnel of the
25 
Department, Bureaus, and attached agencies who have undergone the mandatory
26 
training on enforcement as provided under this Act may serve as officer or enforcer
27 
of the Bureau, or choose to be reassigned in non-enforcement functions or offices of
28 
the said agencies.
29 
All incumbent enforcement officials, enforcers and personnel of the Palawan
30 
Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD) and BARMM shall be trained under the
31 
Bureau as part of the one-system approach.
13


1 
Sec. 23. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Department, in
2 
consultation with concerned government agencies and stakeholders, shall promulgate
3 
the implementing rules and regulations of this Act, within six (6) months from the
4 
effectivity of this Act.
5 
Sec. 24. Separability Clause. If any portion of this Act is declared
6 
unconstitutional or Invalid, the portions or provisions which are not affected shall
7 
continue to be in full force and effect.
8 
Sec. 25. Repealing Clause. All laws, decrees, executive orders and rules and
9 
regulations or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed
10 
or modified accordingly.
11 
Sec. 26. Effectivity Clause. Notwithstanding the non-issuance of the
12 
implementing rules and regulations, this Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
13 
publication In the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) national newspapers of general
14 
circulation.
Approved,
14