NINETEENTH CONGRESS )
OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES)
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

House Bill No. _ 263

Introduced by Representative Chi

ian Tell A. Yap

EXPLANATORY NOTE

eyes is highly-regarded as the macroeconomic forecasting agency who has the authority in
policy g&alysis and research. Furthermore, it is considered as the country’s premier socio-economic
development planning body that provides high level advice to policymakers in the Congress and the
Executive Branch.

The former NEDA Secretary underlined the significance of collective action to overcoming
this unprecedented crisis due to the pandemic. He admitted the challenges being faced by the
Philippines in terms of food security and nutrition and sought for a stronger collaboration from United
Nations member countries during the 54th session of the United Nations Commission on Population
and Development (UNCPD) in New York City on April 19, 2021.

Although Executive Order No. 230 maintained NEDA to be the policy coordinating body
primarily responsible for formulating, continuing coordinated and fully-integrated socio-economic
policies, plans and programs, there is an increasing necessity for the NEDA to be institutionalized as
an independent economic and planning agency.

Assigned to generate and provide impartial, objective and evidence-based analysis and
recommendations for the social and economic betterment of the nation, the NEDA under this bill shall
specifically ensure the harmonization of national and regional plans and programs by prescribing
standards, guidelines, compliance and accountability mechanisms that guarantee continuing integrated

and coordinated policies and programs for national development.


In view of the foregoing reasons, the approval of the bill is eamestly sought.



NINETEENTH CONGRESS )
OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
Second Regular Session

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

House Bill No. __ 263

Introduced by Representative Christian Tell A. Yap

AN ACT
CREATING THE DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMICS AND DEVELOPMENT
PLANNING, DEFINING ITS FUNCTIONS, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFOR

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

CHAPTER 1

ARTICLE
TITLE AND POLICY

1 SECTION 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the “Department of Economics

and Development Planning Act”.

3 SEC. 2.. Declaration of Policies and Principles. — The State shall adopt and
4 implement continuing, integrated, and coordinated policies, plans, and programs towards
s equitable distribution of opportunities, income and wealth; ensure a sustained increase in
6 the amount of goods and services produced by the nation for the benefit of the people: and
7 expand productivity to raise the quality of life for all.
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®? It is therefore vital that major programs and projects of different government
10 agencies must be properly reviewed by and coordinated by a national government agency
un to ensure their consistency with established national and subnational priorities; that the
ry linkage between development planning, programming and budgeting shall be of highest
B priority in identifying programs, activities, and projects; and that the public and private
4 sectors at the national and subnational levels participate in the process of formulating,

1s implementing, monitoring, and evaluating policies, plans, and programs.


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‘The State recognizes that, pursuant to the Section 9, Article XII of the Constitution,

Congress may establish an independent economic and planning agency headed by the

President of the Philippines, which shall, after consultations with the appropriate public
agencies, various private sector groups, and local government units (LGUs), recommend
priority legislative measures to Congress.
ARTICLE IT
‘THE DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMICS AND DEVELOPMENT PLANNING

SEC. 3. The Department of Economics and Development Planning. ~ There is

hereby created the Department of Economics and Development Planning, hereinafter to be
referred to as the DEDP, which shall serve as the primary government agency tasked to

prepare and recommend national economic development goals, policies, and programs, and

monitor the implementation of the same. the DEDP shall take over the powers, duties, and

functions of the National Economic and Development Authority.

SEC. 4. Mandate of the DEDP. ~ The DEDP shall be the agency that shall direct
the government's planning and investment programming processes towards sustainable and
inclusive economic growth; equitable distribution of opportunities, income, and wealth; and
increased productivity. As such, it shall formulate the country’s continuing, integrated, and
coordinated policies, plans, and programs for development; foster a culture of planning
across all government organizations; ensure the vertical and horizontal alignment and
coherence of national and subnational policies, plans, programs, and projects; ensure
alignment of appropriations for programs with national and subnational development plans
towards optimal use of financial resources; and oversee the country’s public investment

program.

SEC. 5. Powers and Functions of the DEDP. ~ In accordance with Chapter I
Article III of this Act, the DEDP shall have the following powers and functions:

SEC. 5. Powers and Functions of the DEDP. — \n accordance with Chapter I
Article III of this Act, the DEDP shall have the following powers and functions:

(a) Visioning and plan formulation;
(b) Harmonization of plans;

(c) Investment programming;

(d) Linkage of planning with budgeting;
(e) Policy advisory:

(8) Project appraisal;


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(g) Monitoring and assessment;
(h) Evaluation;

(i) Independent review;
(i) Research;

(k) Knowledge management and communication;

(1) Transparency and accountability reports:

(m) Capacity building of development planning:

(n) Economic and financial literacy:

(0) Innovation and futures thinking, or the creative processing, exploration, and
management of change as a component of strategy and policy development; and

(p) Secretariat support to the Economics and Development Planning Council

SE

6. Stakeholder Engagement. ~ In the discharge of these functions, the DEDP
shall undertake consultations with appropriate public agencies, civil society organizations,
non-government organizations, people’s organizations, academe, private sector, and LGUs
to incorporate their respective priority needs in the formulation of policies, plans, programs

and projects.

SEC. 7. Organization of the DEDP.— The DEDP shall consist of the Office of the
Secretary, the offices of the undersecretaries and assistant secretaries, technical and

sectoral staff, operations support staff, and regional offices.

SEC. 8. The Secretary of Economics and Development Planning. - The DEDP
shall be headed by the Secretary who shall be appointed by the President of the Philippines,
subject to the confirmation by the Commission on Appointments, and shall hereinafter be

referred to as the Secretary.

‘The Secretary, who shall serve as the country’s Chief Economist, shall have the
following minimum qualifications: a natural-born citizen and resident of the Philippines:
of good moral character; of recognized probity, competence, and independence; must be

professionally distinguished in public, civic, or academic service in the field of economics:
must have been in active professional practice for at least ten years: and must not have been

a candidate for any elective national or local office in the immediately preceding elections,

whether regular or special.

SEC. 9. Powers and Functions of the Secretary of Economics and Development
Planning. ~ The Secretary shall have the following powers and functions:

(a) Advise the President of the Philippines on the promulgation of executive or


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administrative orders and other issuances, and on the formulation of regulatory
and legislative proposals, pertaining to matters of national economic and social
development;

(b) Render a report on the status of implementation of national and subnational
plans as inputs to the State of the Nation Address by the President of the
Philippines:

(c) Serve as Vice-Chairperson of the Economics and Development Planning
Council, created under Section 43 of this Act;

(d) Lead the discourse on futures thinking in the public sector, and pursuant thereto,
consider the latest trends, strategic issues, and key developments in the country
in order to assist government agencies better anticipate and address their
implications;

(e) Direct the conduct of research on development matters, examine evaluation
results, and gather current information and data for evidence-based formulation

of broad policies, plans and relevant programs;
(f) Exercise executive direction, control, and supervision over the entire operations

of the DEDP, and its agencies, bureaus, officers, and personnel;
(g) Establish policies and standards for the effective, efficient, and economical

operations of the DEDP, in accordance with the programs of the government;

(h) Promulgate rules and regulations, and exercise other powers as may be required
to implement the objectives of this Act; and

(i) Perform other functions as may be provided by law or as may be assigned by
the President of the Philippines.

SEC. 10. The Undersecretaries and Assistant Secretaries. — The Office of the

Secretary of Economics and Development Planning shall be composed of at least four (4)

undersecretaries and eight (8) assistant secretaries

The undersecretaries and assistant secretaries shall be appointed by the President

of the Philippines, upon the recommendation of the Secretary, subject to the rules and
regulations promulgated by the Career Executive Service Board. The Secretary shall have

the flexibility to determine the respective assignments of the Undersecretaries and
Assistant Secretaries and to reorganize the DEDP, depending on the DEDP’s strategic
directions and on emerging development trends affecting the country’s economy. As the
duties and responsibilities of the DEDP are expanded, the number of Undersecretaries and
Assistant Secretaries may be increased as deemed necessary.

SEC. 11. Offices and Staff. — The DEDP shall be composed of the following


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technical and sectoral staff, administrative and support staff, and regional offices for the

following offices:

(a)
(b)
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Macroeconomics;

‘Trade, services, and industry;

Agriculture, natural resources, and environment;
Governance;

Social development;
Strategic foresight and futures;

Innovation;

Public investment;

Social infrastructure;

Connectivity infrastructure:

Spatial planning and regional development;
Program evaluation:

Project monitoring:

Knowledge management and communication;
Development planning training;
Administrative;

Human resource development:

Financial planning and management:
Information and communications technology;
Legal:

Internal audit service;

Legislative liaison office; and

Regional offices.

The Secretary shall recommend to the Department of Budget and Management

(DBM) for approval, the creation of additional offices, positions, or staffing modifications

as may be necessary.

The DEDP’s organizational structure and staffing requirements shall be submitted

to the DBM for review and approval. It shall adopt a position classification and

compensation structure consistent with the existing polices, rules and regulations.

SEC. 12. DEDP Regional Offices. - The DEDP Regional Offices, hereinafter

referred to as DROs, shall have the following functions:

(a) Ensure that regional and local development priorities are integrated in the

national and subnational plans;

(b) Ensure the alignment of the provincial development and physical framework

and the comprehensive development plans of highly urbanized cities and
independent component cities with the national and regional development

plans;


(©) Oversee the integration of plans and programs of regional agencies, state
universities and colleges (SUCs), special development bodies, and local
government units (LGUs) into the regional and national plans. The DROs shall
provide assistance to regional line agencies, LGUs, SUCs and special

development bodies in identifying and developing programs and projects;
(d) Evaluate and review proposed policies, land use plans, programs and projects

in the region;

(€) Monitor and evaluate the implementation of plans, policies, programs and
projects;

() Provide technical and secretariat support to their respective Regional
Development Councils (RDCs):

(g) Undertake research and ensure knowledge utilization for regional development
and productivity; and

(h) Provide technical assistance to development partners in the region in
accordance with the functions of the DEDP.

SEC. 13. Attached Agencies. — The agencies currently attached to the National
Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) shall hereinafter be attached to the DEDP
and shall continue to operate and function in accordance with their respective charters,
laws, or orders creating them, except as otherwise provided in this Act, the Administrative
Code of 1987, and subsequent laws.

The following agencies shall be attached to the DEDP for policy and program
coordination purposes:

The following agencies shall be attached to the DEDP for policy and program
coordination purposes:

(a) Commission on Population and Development, created pursuant to Republic Act
No. 6365, otherwise known as the "Population Act of 1971, as Amended."

(b) Philippine Institute for Development Studies, created pursuant to Presidential

Decree 1201 dated September 26, 1977;
(©) Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency, created pursuant
Executive Order 635. series of 1980:
(d) Philippine Statistics Authority, created pursuant to Republic Act No. 10625,
otherwise known as the “Philippine Statistical Act of 2013”: and

(e) Philippine Statistical Research and Training Institute, created pursuant to
Republic Act No. 10625.
The following agencies shall be attached to the DEDP for administrative purposes
only:


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(a) Public-Private Partnership Center of the Philippines, created pursuant Executive
Order No. 8, series of 2010 as amended by Executive Order No. 136, series of 2013; and

(b) Tariff Commission (TC), created pursuant to Republic Act No. 10863, otherwise
known as the “Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA)”.

SEC. 14. Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council. - The DEDP shall
serve as the principal secretariat of the _Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council
(LEDAC), pursuant to Republic Act No, 7640, otherwise known as “An Act Constituting the
Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council”. As principal secretariat, the DEDP shall
oversee and coordinate the provision of overall technical and administrative support to the LEDAC,
and shall have the following duties and responsibilities, consistent with Article III, Section 2 of the

tules and regulations issued to implement Republic Act No. 7640:

(a) Provide technical and administrative support to the LEDAC and its sub-

committees, if any;
(b) Determine and prepare the agenda for and the minutes of the LEDAC meetings,
and prepare the minutes of each meeting:

(c) Serve as venue for the initial processing and discussion of the work of the
LEDAC;

(d) Receive and prepare communications pertinent to the work of the LEDAC:

(c) Manage and maintain the official records of the LEDAC;

(f) Prepare the annual budget of the LEDAC;

(g) Prepare reports as required by the LEDAC; and

(h) Perform other duties as may be assigned by the LEDAC.

ARTICLE HII

POWERS AND FUNCTIONS OF DEDP.
1.

isioning and Plan Formulation

SEC. 15. Visioning. — The DEDP shall formulate a long-term vision, hereinafter
referred to as the Vision, which embodies the long-term aspirations of all Filipinos. It shall
be data-driven and evidence-based, encompassing all dimensions of economic, social, and
environmental development. The Vision shall undergo a review every ten (10) years in

consideration of changing aspirations and preferences.

SEC. 16. Long-term Development Framework. — The DEDP shall formulate the
country’s long-term development framework, hereinafter referred to as the Framework.

The Framework is a high-level and broad strategy spanning twenty-five (25) years that


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shall guide the nation towards sustainable growth and development and the attainment of
the Vision. It shall serve as a tool to coordinate. guide, and inform the preparation and
consideration of future, more detailed national and subnational development plans, national
and subnational public investment programs, and sectoral and inter-sectoral plans and
programs. It shall embody the development goals and milestones to serve as basis for the
overall direction of government policies, programs, and projects across political

administrations.

SEC. 17. Physical Planning Framework. ~The DEDP shall formulate the National

Framework for Physical Planning (NFPP), which shall provide policies and principles to

achieve efficient settlement, production, service delivery systems, and sustainable use of land
and other physical resources in the country. At the subnational level, the DEDP

Regional Offices, in consultation with their respective RDCs, shall formulate the regional
spatial and physical framework (RSPF) which shall encompass an implementation period
of twenty-five (25) years. The RSPF shall define the objectives and indicative uses of land

and the physical resources in the region.

The NFPP and RSPF shall serve as the main reference documents in the preparation
of the provincial development and physical framework plans and land use plans of cities

and municipalities.

‘The NFPP and RSPF shall undergo a review every ten (10) years in consideration

of physical changes, economic and demographic trends, as well as climate projections.

SEC. 18. Planning Call. — The DEDP shall issue a Planning Call to government
agencies and shall provide the standards and guidelines for preparing the national and
subnational development plans and public investment programs. Within one (1) month
from the approval of the Philippine Development Plan by the Economics and Development
Planning Council, national government agencies shall submit to the DEDP their respective

short-term development plans and investment programs.

SFC. 19. Philippine Development Plan and Regional Development Plans. ~ The
DEDP, in consultation with public agencies, civil society organizations, non-government
organizations, people’s organizations, academe, private sector, and LGUs, shall formulate
within six (6) months from the assumption of office of the President of the Philippines a
national economic and development blueprint, known as the Philippine Development Plan,
hereinafter referred to as the PDP, which shall be anchored on the Framework. The PDP
shall establish a set of measurable goals and objectives with corresponding strategies, in

terms of policies, programs, and projects, that shall be the basis for each political


1 administration’ pursuit of its economic and development agenda. At the subnational level,

this shall be known as the Regional Development Plan, hereinafter referred to as the RDP,

3 which shall be formulated by the DEDP Regional Offices within six (6) months from the
4 assumption of office of the President of the Philippines, in consultation with public
s agencies, civil society organizations, non-government organizations, _people’s
6 organizations, the academe, the private sector, and local government units, The RDP shall
7 be aligned with the PDP, defining the region’s development direction.

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9 The PDP and the RDPs shall undergo a midterm review and updating in
10 consideration of accomplishments, and emerging trends and developments.

3 SEC. 20. Coordination with Autonomous and Administrative Regions. — The
4 DEDP shall ensure effective coordination with autonomous and administrative regions that
15 have separate planning offices in the formulation of the PDP and in the conduct of other
16 relevant planning activities affecting said regions.

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18 I. Harmonization of Plans

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20 SEC. 21. Harmonization of Plans. — The DEDP shall direct the government's

21 planning cycle to ensure the harmonization and coherence of national, subnational,

2 sectoral, and spatial plans and programs by prescribing standards, guidelines, compliance,

23 and accountability mechanisms. Moreover, the DEDP shall review the short-term

24 development plans submitted by the agencies as stipulated in Section 18 of this Act in order

25 to recommend appropriate action.

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28 IIL. Investment Programming

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30 SEC. 22. Investment Programming. — The DEDP shall direct and oversee the

31 government's investment programming process to ensure that the plans are translated into

32 programs and projects by prescribing standards and guidelines, as well as compliance and

33 accountability mechanisms, especially considering the results of relevant evaluation

34 studies, and their conformity to the NFPP and RSPF which are the main reference

35 references for land use and physical framework plans as mandated under Section 17 of this

36 Act.


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SEC. 23. Public Investment Program and Regional Development Investment
Program. — The DEDP, in consultation with public agencies, shall formulate the Public

Investment Program, hereinafter referred to as the PIP, which shall identify the priority
programs, activities, and projects (PAPs) that are responsive to the sectoral goals and

outcomes of the PDP, for implementation through national government funds or the
General Appropriations Act (GAA), Official Development Assistance (ODA), Public-
Private Partnership (PPP), joint ventures (JV), and other viable implementation and
financing options. At the subnational level, this shall be known as the Regional
Development Investment Program, hereinafter referred to as the RDIP, which shall be
formulated by the DROs in consultation with their respective RDCs.

IV. Linkage of Planning with Budgeting

SEC. 24, Linkage of Planning with Budgeting. — The DEDP shall recommend to

the Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) the priorities for budget
expenditure policies including sectoral and regional allocations. Together with the DBM
and other relevant government oversight agencies, the DEDP shall ensure that the annual
and multi-year appropriations for programs and projects are aligned with the development
strategies in the PDP and RDPs.

V. Policy Advisory

SEC. 25. Policy Advisory. — The DEDP shall undertake policy reviews to provide
objective, evidence-based, critical analyses of development issues and policy alternatives
and report findings and recommendations to the President of the Philippines, the Congress
of the Philippines, or the Economics and Development Planning Council, created under

Sec. 43 of this Act, as appropriate.

VI. Project Appraisal

SEC. 26. Project appraisal. — The DEDP shall appraise proposed programs and
projects as provided by existing laws and regulations, and as may be determined by the
Economics and Development Planning Council in terms of economic and societal benefits

and viability. The DEDP shall adopt and implement appropriate evaluation measures and


criteria to determine the viability of programs and projects. Only programs and projects
that have been found viable by the DEDP shall be endorsed to the Economics and

Development Planning Council through the appropriate inter-agency committee.

VI. Monitoring and Assessment

SEC. 27. Monitoring and Assessment. The DEDP shall monitor and assess
the progress of implementation of priority national and subnational programs and projects,
as defined by the Economics and Development Planning Council, with respect to physical

and financial performance, among others. The DEDP shall also identify implementation

bottlenecks and facilitate resolution of problems. The Department of the Interior and Local
Government (DILG) shall complement the monitoring, reporting, and facilitation of
programs and projects at the sub-regional level. Moreover, the DEDP shall determine the
continued viability of national programs or projects and recommend corresponding

measures to the Economics and Development Planning Council

SEC. 28. Philippine Development Report and Regional Development Reports.
The DEDP and its Regional Offices shall formulate annually the Philippine Development
Report (PDR) and Regional Development Reports (RDRs). The PDR and RDRs shall serve
as monitoring reports on the implementation of the PDP and RDPs, respectively. The
results from such monitoring activities shall serve as inputs to policy and decision makers
in the formulation of policies, budgeting, and implementation of programs and projects. To
this end, the PDRs and RDRs shall contain the latest data and information pertaining to the
goals, policies, and strategies, as specified in the PDP.

SEC. 29. Official Development Assistance Portfolio Review. — The DEDP shall
review the status of all projects funded by ODA pursuant to Republic Act No. 8182,

otherwise known as the “Official Development Assistance Act of 1996”.


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VIII. Evaluation

SEC, 30. Evaluation. — The DEDP shall formulate a medium-term national

evaluation agenda to assess the impact and outcomes of programs and projects. It shall
oversee the conduct of evaluation studies consistent with the agenda, in support of good

governance, transparency, accountability, and evidence-based decision-making-

1X. Independent Review

SEC. 31. Independent Review. - In the course of its monitoring and assessment of
programs and projects, the DEDP may independently review and evaluate facts and
circumstances as a means of determining whether sufficient cause exists to initiate
appropriate legal action, in which case, a report shall be prepared and referred to the proper
agency or body.

X. Development Research

SEC. 32. Research. — The DEDP shall conduct research, special surveys, and
related studies as inputs to the formulation of policies and plans, and the design of programs
and projects. The DEDP shall establish a Development Research Program so that broad

policies, plans, and relevant programs can be formulated based on a sound analysis of data
and evidence.

XI. Knowledge Management and Communication

SEC. 33. Knowledge Management and Communication. ~ The DEDP shall

develop and maintain knowledge management systems, applications, and tools for timely

and effective dissemination, accessi

and comprehensibility of information and
knowledge on economics and development planning issues. It shall develop and
sustain communication and stakeholder engagement platforms towards well-informed and

cost-effective public and private sector participation in the development process.


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XII. Transparency and Accountability Reports

SEC. 34. Transparency and Accountability Reports. — Within the first quarter of
every year, the DEDP shall submit a report to the President of the Philippines, Cabinet,

Congress, and the Filipino people through the mass media, on the economic performance
of the country. The report shall include the status and the directions of the fiscal and

monetary policies of the government in coordination with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas,
the Department of Finance (DOF) and the DBM; macroeconomic outlook and labor market
prospects; and other relevant information that may be requested, for purposes of

transparency and accountability.

SEC. 35. Inter-generational Report. — The DEDP shall submit an Inter-
Generational Report (IGR) to the President of the Philippines and Congress every six (6)
years. The IGR shall be an assessment of the long-term sustainability of existing
government policies over the next 25 years, taking into account projected demographic,

environmental and other changes.

XIII. Capacity Building of Development Planners

SEC. 36. Capacity Building of Development Planners. — The DEDP, in
coordination with appropriate institutions including state universities and colleges, subject
to accreditation procedures, shall establish and implement a capacity building program on
development planning for national and local planners to build, strengthen, and continually
update the technical competencies of development planners in the country. The capacity
building program shall also serve as a platform for wider dissemination of the country’s

vision, development plans, policies, and programs.

SEC. 37. Technical Assistance to Development Planners. — The DEDP shall
provide technical assistance to the LGUs on how to localize national development
strategies, particularly in planning and investment programming to ensure alignment of
local development plans and strategies with the PDP and RDP.


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XIV, Economic and Financial Literacy

SEC. 38 Economic and Financial Literacy. - The DEDP shall lead the

participation of government agencies and instrumentalities, including LGUs, government

owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs) and educational institutions, in the conduct
of knowledge-expanding activities on economic and financial literacy, pursuant to

Republic Act No. 10922, otherwise known as the “Economic and Financial Literacy Act”

XV. Innovation and Futures Thinking

SEC. 39. Innovation. — The DEDP shall provide secretariat support, and prepare
and recommend priorities, policies, programs, projects, strategies, and other outputs to the
National Innovation Council to realize the country’s strategic vision for innovation,

pursuant to Republic Act No. 11293, or the “Philippine Innovation Act”.

SEC. 40, Futures Thinking. — The DEDP shall continually undertake scenario
planning exercises, anticipating future trends or discontinuities, and recommend

responsive measures to the President of the Philippines and the Congress, as appropriate.

SEC. 41. Foresight Tools. — The DEDP shall employ or develop, as circumstances

warrant, foresight tools to deal with emergent trends, understand plausible future states,
craft corresponding strategies, and monitor relevant indicators of anticipated futures.

XVI. Technical and Secretariat Support

SEC. 42. Technical and Secretariat Support. ~ The DEDP shall serve as the
Secretariat to the Economics and Development Planning Council and its Committees. the

RDCs, and the National Innovation Council. In this capacity, the DEDP shall ensure that
all policies, programs, and projects approved by these bodies are strictly aligned with the
PDP and RDP. As secretariat support, it shall have the following duties and responsibilities:

(a) Provide technical and administrative support;
(b) Determine and prepare the agenda;

(©) Prepare the minutes of the meeting:
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(d) Manage and maintain the official records; and

(e) Perform other duties as may be assigned by the said bodies.

Furthermore, the DEDP shall provide technical inputs, review, appraisal, or
evaluation as applicable, for all programs and projects as defined by existing and
subsequent laws, or those which may be defined by the Economics and Development
Planning Council prior to the endorsement of such programs and projects to the Council
for approval. At the subnational level, the DEDP Regional Offices shall provide prior
technical inputs, review, appraisal, or evaluation for endorsement of programs and projects
to RDCs for approval.

‘The DEDP shall also provide advisory services to these bodies.

CHAPTER2
ET

‘THE ECONOMICS AND DEVELOPMENT PLANNING COUNCIL

ARTICL

SEC. 43. The Economics and Development Planning Council. ~ The Economics
and Development Planning Council is hereby established, hereinafter referred to as the
Council. The Council shall be headed by the President of the Philippines, shall be an
executive collegial body responsible for directing and providing overall policy direction
on economic, financial, social, and environmental matters to achieve inclusive and
sustained economic growth.

SEC. 44. Composition of the Council. ~ The Council shall be composed of the

following:

(a) President of the Philippines as Chairperson;

(b) Executive Secretary;

(c) Secretary of Economics and Development Planning as Vice-Chairperson:
(d) Principals of the agencies chairing the Committees of the Council;

(c) National of the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines: and

(f) Governor of the BSP, as a resource institution.

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2 The President of the Philippines may, however, revise the membership of the

3 Council whenever the same is deemed necessary for the effective performance of the
4 Council's function,
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6 All members of the Council, except the Governor of the BSP, are voting members.
1 The presence of a majority of all members of the Council shall constitute a quorum. The
8 Council may request inputs from the private sector.
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ny SEC. 45. Powers and Functions of the Council. ~ The Council shall have the
R following powers and functions:
1B
4 (a) Direct the formulation and implementation of policies, plans, and programs that
15 would promote economic development and address development concerns of
16 national importance;
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18 (b) Approve the PDP, PIP, and their respective midterm updates;
19 (©) Approve the level of annual government expenditures, as well as projections,
20 forecast, resource requirement, and the ceiling of government spending for
a social and economic development, national defense, government debt service,
n and the proper allocation of expenditures for each development activity
2B between current operating expenditures and capital outlay:
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26 (a) Approve the level of expenditure program of national government agencies by
27 region, in accordance with the approved RDPs and RDIPs;
»
30 (e) Define cost threshold and other criteria for priority programs and projects that
31 shall require Council approval, unless already provided by existing laws, rules
32 and regulations;
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34 (f) Approve projects, programs, and plans, as endorsed by the DEDP, as required
35 under existing laws, orders, rules and regulations, and other issuances;
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necessary for the integration and implementation of economic and development

policies, plans and programs or any of their component parts;

(h) Issue rules and regulations necessary for the effective discharge of the powers

and functions vested on the Council; and

(i) Direct the reorganization, or establishment of Committees of the Council,
including the modification of their respective membership, structures, powers,

and functions.

SEC. 46. Meetings. ~ The Council shall meet at least once every quarter. A special
meeting of the Council may be convened by the President of the Philippines to address
urgent concerns, or emergencies, such as natural disasters, calamities, or other

extraordinary circumstances which would affect the economy or and national development.

The DEDP shall maintain and preserve a complete record of the proceedings and
deliberations of the Council, including the recordings and transcripts thereof, either in their
original form, or in any secured format made available by existing technology, such as

digital formatting.

SEC. 47. Full Disclosure Rule, — In addition to the requirements of Republic Act
No. 6713, otherwise known as the “Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public
Officials and Employees

personal and pecuniary interest in any matter in the agenda of the Council shall disclose

', any member of the Economics and Development Council with

the interest to the Economics and Development Council and shall withdraw from the

meeting when the matter is taken up. The decision taken on the matter shall be made public.

The minutes shall reflect the disclosure made and the retirement of the member concerned

from the meeting.

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COMMITTEES OF THE COUNCIL

SEC. 48. Committees of the Economics and Development Council. — The

Economics and Development Council shall have committees that shall act as its primary
advisory bodies.

‘These Committees shall be the main coordinating mechanism that ensures that the
policy environment is conducive to the promotion of rapid, inclusive, and sustained

economic growth that raises the quality of life for all.

The President of the Philippines shall designate the respective Chairpersons of the
Committees. The DEDP shall serve as the Secretariat for all Committees, unless otherwise
provided in this Act. The Council may create new committees, modify or abolish existing
ones with respect to their structures, composition, powers, and functions. It may also create
sub-committees, whenever appropriate, for the purpose of dispensing with any of their
respective functions. To avoid duplication and ensure policy coherence, no other inter-
agency body with the same or similar mandates to the Council’s Committees shall be

created,

Members of Congress may, upon invitation of the President of the Philippines,

serve as resource persons in any of the Committees.

SEC. 49. Development Budget Coordination Committee (BudgetCom). — The
Development Budget Coordination Committee (BudgetCom) shall be composed of the
Secretaries of the DBM, the DEDP, the DOF, the Executive Secretary. and the Governor
of the BSP.

A technical committee of the BudgetCom, composed of duly designated
Undersecretaries of the same member agencies, is hereby established to conduct a technical
review of matters that require appropriate action by BudgetCom.

The BudgetCom shall discharge the following functions:

(a) Endorse for final approval of the Council:


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(1) The level of annual government expenditures and the ceiling of government
spending for economic and social development, national defense, and

government debt service:

(2) The budget to be allocated for current operating expenditures and capital
outlays of government programs and projects;

(3) A strategic multi-year fiscal program which supports the long-term and
medium-term development objectives of the country; and

(4) A domestic and foreign borrowing program.

(b) Assess the overall economic situation of the country, which includes economic
growth, monetary, fiscal, and possible economic risks which may require policy

reforms;

(©) Ensure that the regional allocations are responsive to poverty, development

gaps, and economic opportunities; and

(d) Conduct periodic review of fiscal and macroeconomic targets, and the revenue
and expenditure projections of the government, including general examination
of costs. accomplishments and performance standards applied in undertaking

development projects; and

(e) Perform such other functions as may be necessary to carry out the mandates of the
BudgetCom.
‘The DBM shall serve as the Secretariat to the BudgetCom.

SEC. 50. Investment Coordination Committee (InvestmentCom). — The
Investment Coordination Committee (InvestmentCom) shall be composed of the
Secretaries of the DOF, the DEDP, the DBM, the DILG, the DTI, the Executive Secretary,
and the Governor of BSP.

A technical committee of the InvestmentCom, composed of duly designated
Undersecretaries of the same member agencies, is hereby established to conduct a technical
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review of matters that require appropriate action by InvestmentCom.
The InvestmentCom shall discharge the following functions:

(a) Ensure the efficient and effective evaluation of major capital programs and
projects of the country by determining levels of acceptability and viability

relative to overall economic and fiscal conditions of the country;
(b) Endorse the following to the Council for its approval:

(1) Timetable of the implementation of major capital programs and projects on
a regular basis:
(2) Public-private partnerships, privatization, and other funding options to

augment government's financing capacity:

(3) Modalities of development financing and capital market development in
support of long-term programs and projects for both national and local

government, and GOCCs;
(4) Specific major programs and projects with respect to technical, financial,

economic, social, environmental, legal, institutional, feasibility, and
viability as well as from the context of sectoral plans and geographical
strategies, as may be required by law, orders, and other legal issuances: and

(5) Major capital projects based on a cost threshold or other criteria as may be
set by the Council.

(c) Submit to the President of the Philippines a status of the fiscal, monetary and
balance of payment (BOP) implications of major capital programs and projects;
and

(d) Perform such other functions as may be necessary to carry out the mandates of

the InvestmentCom.

SEC. 51. Economic Development Committee (EconDevCom). — The Economic
Development Committee(EconDevCom) shall be composed of the Secretaries of the
DEDP, the DOF, the DTI, the DBM, the Department of Public Works and Highways

(DPWH), the Department of Transportation (DOTr), the Department of Information and
Communications Technology (DICT), the Department of Energy (DOE), the Department

of Science and Technology (DOST), the Department of Tourism (DOT), the Department
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of Agriculture (DA), the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), , the DILG, the
Governor of BSP, and the Executive Secretary.

A technical committee of the EconDevCom, composed of duly designated
Undersecretaries of the same member agencies, is hereby established to conduct a technical

review of matters that require appropriate action by EconDevCom.

The EconDevCom shall endorse for approval of the Council:

(a) Policies that would ensure equitable and sustainable distribution of economic

opportunities and benefits to Filipinos;

(b) Policies towards the development of agriculture, industry, and services which
are vital to achieving food security and more equitable and sustainable growth;

(©) Policies for the improvement of national productivity, competition and

competitiveness of domestic products and services;

(d) Policies and measures to promote an environment conducive to the growth and
competitiveness of private enterprises and the creation of jobs that will
empower people and provide them with opportunities to rise above poverty to

improve the quality of their lives; and

(e) Perform such other functions as may be necessary to carry out the mandates of
the EconDevCom.

SEC. 52. Infrastructure Committee (InfraCom). — The Infrastructure Committee
(InfraCom) shall be composed of the Secretaries of the DPWH, the DEDP, the DBM, the
DOF, the DICT, the DOTr, the DTI, the DOE, the DA, the DOT, and the Executive

Secretary.

A technical committee of InftaCom, composed of duly designated Undersecretaries
of the same member agencies, is hereby established to conduct a technical review of

‘matters that require appropriate action by InfraCom.


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The InfraCom shall discharge the following functions:

(a) Endorse for Council approval a national infrastructure development strategy
that will coordinate, integrate and accelerate the development initiatives across

all infrastructure subsectors in the country;

(b) Advise the Council on all matters concerning infrastructure development,
including roads, highways, and bridges: airports, seaports, offshore
infrastructure and shore protection; railways and subways; power generation,

transmission and distribution; ICT, telecommunications; irrigation, flood
control and drainage; water supply, sewerage and sanitation; national buildings

for government offices; hospitals and related buildings; state colleges and
universities, elementary and secondary school buildings; reclamation; and
other public works, whether procured or financed through traditional means,

public-private partnerships, or any other method:

() Coordinate the activities of agencies, including GOCCS involved in

infrastructure development; and

() Perform such other functions as may be necessary to carry out the mandates of

the InfraCom,

SEC. 53. Social Development Committee (SocialDevCom). The Social

Development Committee (SocialDevCom) shall be composed of the Secretaries of the
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the DEDP, the DBM, the
Department of Education (DepEd), the Department of Agrarian Reform, the DA, the
Department of Health, the DILG, the DOLE, and the Executive Secretary.

A technical committee of SocialDevCom, composed of duly designated

Undersecretaries of the same member agencies, is hereby established to conduct a technical

review of matters that require appropriate action by SocialDevCom.

The SocialDevCom shall discharge the following functions:

(a) Endorse for approval of the Council policies and programs that enhance the
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welfare and reduce risks of Overseas Filipino Workers, older persons,
differently-abled persons, children, women, indigenous peoples, marginalized

farmers and fisher folk, and informal urban and upland settlers;

(b)

Advise the Council on matters concerning social development, including
education, skills development, health and nutrition, population and family
planning, housing, human settlements, social protection, and the delivery of

other social services; and

(c

Perform such other functions as may be necessary to carry out the mandates of
the SocialDevCom.

SEC. 54. Committee on Trade and Related Matters (TradeCom). — The
Committee on Trade and Related Matters (TradeCom) shall be composed of the
Secretaries of the DTI, DEDP, DA, DBM, the Department of Environment and Natural
Resources (DENR), DOF, Department of Foreign Affairs, DICT, DOTr, the Executive
Secretary, the Governor of BSP, and the Chairperson of the Tariff Commission.

A technical committee of TradeCom, composed of duly designated
Undersecretaries of the same member agencies, is hereby established to conduct a technical

review of matters that require appropriate action by TradeCom.

The TradeCom shall discharge the following functions:

(a) Endorse for approval of the Council a continuous rationalization policy and
program for the country’s tariff structure;

(b) Advise the Council on trade and related matters, as well as the effects of various
international developments on the country:

(c) Coordinate government agency positions and recommend national positions
for international economic negotiations; and
(d) Perform such other functions as may be necessary to carry out the mandates of

the TradeCom.

SEC. 55. Regional Development Committee (RDCom). — The Regional
Development Committee (RDCom) shall be composed of the Secretaries of the DEDP,
DILG, DBM, DTI, three (3) RDC Chairpersons representing Luzon, Visayas and

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Mindanao, and one (1) representative from the Union of Local Authorities of the
Philippines.

A technical committee of RDCom, composed of duly designated Undersecretaries
of the same member agencies, is hereby established to conduct a technical review of

matters that require appropriate action by RDCom.

The RDCom shall discharge the following functions:

(a) Formulate and monitor the implementation of policies that reduce regional
development disparities;

(b) Promote equitable allocation of resources among regions by providing
recommendations to the DBCC on the guidelines for the regional allocation of
budgetary resources;

(©) Periodically review the viability of the regional configuration of the country,
and recommend to the Council the re-delineation of regions, as may be
necessary; and

(d) Perform such other functions as may be necessary to carry out the mandates of
the RDCom.

SEC. 56. Marine Resource and Land Use Committee (MaRLUCom). ~ The
Marine Resource and Land Use Committee (MaRLUCom) shall be composed of the
Secretaries of the DEDP, the DAR, the DA, the DOE, the DENR, the DILG, the DOST,
the DOT, and the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development, the
Chairperson of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, the Chairperson of the
National Coast Watch Council, and the presidents of the League of Provinces, the League

of Municipalities, and the League of Cities.

A technical committee of MaRLUCom, composed of duly designated
Undersecretaries of the same member agencies, is hereby established to conduct a technical
review of matters that require appropriate action by MaRLUCom.

The MaRLUCom shall discharge the following functions:

(a) Advise the Council on matters concerning Marine Resource Use Planning and
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Land Use Physical Planning;

(b) Endorse for approval of the Council the NFPP as provided in Section 17 of this
Act that guides the rational utilization and management of the country’s marine
resources, land resources, and other physical resources, and the preparation of
sub-national physical framework plans;

(©) Endorse for approval of the Council resolutions concerning marine resource use
and land use policy conflicts among agencies of the national government;

(d) Ensure the integration of marine resource use, land use and physical planning
policies, plans, and programs, including disaster risk management, into national
socioeconomic plans and programs; and

(e) Perform such other functions as may be necessary to carry out the mandates of
the MaRLUCom.

SEC. 57. Governance Committee (GovCom). — The Governance Committee
(GovCom) shall be composed of the Secretaries of the DBM, the DEDP, the DILG, the
DOF, the DTI, the Executive Secretary, the Department of Justice, the Chairperson of the
Commission on Audit, the Director General of the Anti-Red Tape Authority, and the
Chairperson of the Governance Commission for GOCCs.

A technical committee of GovCom, composed of duly designated Undersecretaries
of the same member agencies, is hereby established to conduct a technical review of

matters that require appropriate action by GovCom.

The GovCom shall endorse for approval of the Council:

(a) Policies that promote transparency, accountability, and participatory
governance;

(b) Policies that strengthen public institutions to effectively and efficiently
implement their respective mandates;

(©) Policies, plans, and programs that improve policy and regulatory environment
to reduce cost of doing business and promote market competition; and

(f) Perform such other functions as may be necessary to carry out the mandates of
the GovCom.


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SEC. 58, Regional Development Council. ~ The Regional Development Councils
(RDCs) are the regional counterparts of the Council. Each RDC shall be composed of the
provincial governors, the city mayors, the mayors of the municipalities designated as
provincial capitals, the presidents of the provincial league of mayors, the mayors of
municipalities designated as regional centers, the regional directors of the agencies
represented in the Council, the regional directors of the DepEd, the DSWD, and the DOT,
and the private sector representatives who shall comprise one-fourth (1/4) of the members
of the fully constituted RDC.

The President of the Philippines shall appoint the Chairperson and Vice-
Chairperson of the RDC. The DROs shall serve as secretariat of the RDCs.

CHAPTER3
TRANSITORY AND OTHER MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

SEC. 59. Transitory Provision. - The National Economic and Development
Authority (NEDA) is hereby abolished. The powers and functions, applicable funds and
appropriations, records, files, equipment, facilities, supplies, property, and personnel of the
NEDA are hereby transferred to and absorbed by the DEDP. All current officials and
employees of the NEDA shall be retained under the DEDP. Any reference to the NEDA,
or to the Director General of the NEDA or the Secretary of Socio-economic Planning

in any existing law, Executive Order, Administrative Order, or Presidential Proclamation,

rules and regulations, and other issuances with respect to any duty or function assumed by
the DEDP created in this Act, shall be deemed hereinafter to be referenced to the DEDP or

to the Secretary of Economics and Development Planning, respectively.

Within six (6) months upon effectivity of this Act, the DEDP shall prepare the 25-
year Framework. For this purpose, the amount necessary to carry out the necessary

preparation of the Framework shall be provided for in the General Appropriations Act.

All programs and projects submitted to the NEDA for appraisal and those endorsed
by the current Investment Coordination Committee for the approval of the NEDA Board
prior to the effectivity of this Act shall be processed by the DEDP and the Economics and
Development Council, respectively, subject to the prevailing laws, rules and regulations,

guidelines, and issuances at the time of submission or endorsement.


SEC. 60. Transfer of Rights and Obligations. — The DEDP shall, by virtue of this
Act, be subrogated to all the rights and assume all the obligations of the NEDA, and all its
liabilities that pertain to its pertinent funds and appropriations, records, files, equipment,
facilities, supplies, property, and personnel, including unexpended portions of its members’
respective salaries.

SEC. 60. Transfer of Rights and Obligations. — The DEDP shall, by virtue of this
Act, be subrogated to all the rights and assume all the obligations of the NEDA, and all its
liabilities that pertain to its pertinent funds and appropriations, records, files, equipment,
facilities, supplies, property, and personnel, including unexpended portions of its members”

respective salaries.

SEC. 61. Separation and Retirement from Service. — The NEDA employees who
are separated from service as a result of the consolidation and reorganization under the

provisions of this Act, shall be entitled to the following applicable separation incentives:

(a) One half (1/2) of the actual monthly basic salary for every year of service, for

those who have rendered less than eleven (11) years of service.

(b) Three-fourths (3/4) of the actual monthly basic salary for every year of service,
‘computed starting from the first year, for those who have rendered eleven (11)
to less than twenty-one (21) years of service;

(c) The actual monthly basic salary for every year of service, computed starting
from the first year, for those who have rendered twenty-one (21) to less than
thirty-one (31) years of service; and

(c) The actual monthly basic salary for every year of service, computed starting
from the first year, for those who have rendered twenty-one (21) to less than

thirty-one (31) years of service; and
(d) One and one-fourth (1/4) of the actual monthly basic salary for every year of

service, computed starting from the first year, for those who have rendered
thirty-one (31) years of service and above.


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The NEDA employees who opt to retire under existing retirement laws shall also
be entitled to the above incentives in addition to the retirement benefits to which they may
be entitled under applicable laws and issuances: Provided, That personnel who avails of
the separation incentives under this Act shall not be re-employed in any agency of the
executive branch for a period of five (5) years, except as a teaching or medical staff in
educational institutions and hospitals, respectively: Provided, further, That retired or
separated personnel who are re-employed within the prohibited period shall refund the

separation incentives received on a pro-rated basis:

For purposes of the additional separation incentives, the actual monthly basic salary
shall refer to the salary of the affected personnel as of the date of approval of the
department's organizational structure and staffing pattern by the DBM.

SEC. 62. Other Benefits of Retired and Separated Personnel. — The affected
personnel who shall retire or are separated from the service shall, in addition to the

applicable benefits abovementioned, be entitled to the following:

(a) Refund of Pag-IBIG contributions, both personal and government, pursuant to

existing rules and regulations of the home development mutual fund; and

(b) Commutation of unused vacation and sick leave credits of the affected

personnel in accordance with existing rules and regulations.

SEC. 63. Appropriations. — The amount necessary to cover the initial
implementation of this Act shall be charged against the current year’s appropriations of the
NEDA. Thereinafter, such sums as may be necessary for the continued and effective
implementation of this Act shall be included in the annual GAA.

Such sums as may be necessary to implement the Capacity Building Program of the
DEDP, DEDP Research Program and DEDP Evaluation Program shall also be included in
the annual GAA.

SEC. 64. Implementing Rules and Regulations. ~ Within ninety days (90) days
after the effectivity of this Act, the DEDP shall promulgate the rules and regulations, as

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well as the necessary issuances required for the proper implementation of the provisions of

this Act.

SEC. 65, Separability Clause. — \f any provision or portion of this Act is declared
unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provision not thereby affected shall

remain in full force and effect.

SEC. 66. Repealing Clause. — Executive Order No. 230, Series of 1987, entitled
~“Reorganizing the National Economic and Development Authority,” and Book V, Title
of

Hl, Subtitle C, entitled “The National Economic and Development Authorit
Executive Order No. 292, Series of 1987, otherwise known as the “Administrative Code
of 1987,” are hereby repealed. All other laws, ordinances, orders, rules, regulations,
and other issuances, or parts thereof, which are contrary or inconsistent with any

provision of this Act, are hereby repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.

SEC. 67. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,