Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE 0F REPRESHNTATIVHS
Quezon City, Metro Manila
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session
HoUSE BILL No.  `10024
RE6EIVEB  1
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Introduced by Rep. FERDINAND ALEXANDER A. MARCOS
|St District, Ilocos Norte
EXPLANATORY NOTH
Republic Act 7586, known as the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS)
Act of 1992,  subsequently amended by RA  11038, titled the Expanded National Integrated
Protected Areas System (ENIPAS) Act of 2018, empowers the goverrment to designate certain
areas  as  protected  areas,   regulate  human  activities  within  these  areas,  and  implement
conservation and management programs in recognition of the  substantial  impact of human
activities on various environmental facets.  This is in pursuit of the constitutional mandate to
protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with
the rhythm and hamony of nature.
Factors  such as  population growth,  resource utilization,  and industrial  development
highlight the imperative to protect and preserve natural ecosystems, particularly in regions with
unique biophysical characteristics crucial to the well-being and progress of human, plant, and
animal  life.  The  goal  is  to  ensure  the  preservation  of unique  ecosystems,  species,  and
landscapes for the benefit of current and future generations.
Hence, this bill.
This  proposed  measure  seeks  to  include  the  Metropolitan  Ilocos  Norte  Watershed
Forest Reserve (NINWFR) in the province of Ilocos Norte, under the NIPAS.
Established  through  Presidential  Proclamation  No.  731,  s.   1934,  the  2,482-hectare
NINWFR is a distinctive landscape characterized by stunted century-old trees, predominantly


of poczocczrpc{s species. The area also encompasses various cave systems, ultramafic forests,
and forests over limestone. Moreover, it serves as the primary water source for the municipality
and  supports  a diverse range  of biological  resources,  including  endangered  and threatened
species.
These underscore the ecological significance of MINWFR, emphasizing the importance
of putting  MINWFR  under  NIPAS.  This  bill  will  establish  a  policy  framework  for  the
institutionalized   conservation   and   protection   of  the   landscape,   ensuring   its   ecological
significance is upheld through proficient and effective management in accordance with RA
7586 as amended by RA 11038.
In view hereof, the immediate passage of this bill is eamestly requested.
FERDINAND ALEXANDER A. MARCOS


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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE 0F REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session
HOUSE BILLNo.100Z4
Introduced by Rep. FERDINAND ALHXANDER A. MARCOS
1 St District, Ilocos Norte
AN ACT
DECLARING     AND     DESIGNATING     MHTROPOLITAN     ILOCOS     NORTE
WATERSHED FOREST RESERVE, SITUATED WITHIN THE MUNICIPALITY OF
PASUQUIN IN THE PROVINCE OF ILOCOS NORTE AS A PROTECTED AREA
UNDER THE  CATEGORY 0F PROTECTED LANDSCAPE  PURSUANT  T0 THE
NATIONAL   INTHGRATED   PROTECTED   AREA   SYSTEM   (NIPAS),   T0   BE
REFERRED T0 AS THE PASUQUIN PROTECTED LANDSCAPE, PROVIDING FOR
ITS MANAGEMENT, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
Be  it  erracted by the Senate and the  House  Of Representatives  Of the  Philippines  in
Congress assembled:
ARTICLH I
GENERAL PROVISIONS
1                    SECTloN  1.  Sfeo#  rl.£Je.  -This  Act  shall  be  known  as  the  "Pasuquin  Protected
2       Landscape (PPL)Act."
3
4                   SEC.  2. Dec/¢r¢".o# a/Po/I.c}r.-Recognizing the profound impact of human activities
5      on various components of the natural environment, especially the consequences arising from
6      population growth, resource exploitation, and industrial advancement, and acknowledging the
7       critical  importance  of  safeguarding  and  preserving  the  natural,  biological,  and  physical
8       diversities of the environment, particularly in areas characterized by unique features essential
9       for sustaining human life and development, as well as the well-being of plant and animal life,
1o      it is hereby declared as the policy of the state to ensure, for the benefit of the Filipino people,
11      both present and future generations, the pexpetunl existence of all native plants and animals
12      through the establishment of protected areas under the National Integrated protected Areas
13      SystemonAS).
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15                    In recognition of the richness of the biological resources, encompassing both flora and
16       fauna, native and distinct to the area, as well as their ecological importance, a parcel of land in
17      the municipality of pasuquin in the province of Ilocos Norte, covering Metropolitan Ilocos
18      Norte  Watershed Forest Reserve  (MINWFR),  is  hereby  declared a protected area with the
19      designation  of a  protected landscape,  and  henceforth  shall  be  referred to  as  the  Pasuquin
2o      Protected Landscape  (PPL).  As  such, the  State assumes the responsibility  for ensuring the
21       conservation, protection, and management of the said area. Furthermore, it is acknowledged


1       that  effective  administration  of this  area  is  achievable  only  through  collaborative  efforts
2       involving   the   national   government,   local   government   units   (LGUs),   concerned   non-
3       governmental organizations (NGOs), private entities,  and local communities.  The utilization
4       and enjoyment of this area must be in conformity with the principles of biological diversity and
5       sustainable development.
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7                    Towards this end, the state shall ensure the comprehensive implementation of this Act,
8       the mobilization of resources to support the institutional mechanisms herein established, and
9       the provision of complete scientific and technical support necessary for the conservation of
1o       biodiversity  and  the  preservation  of the  integrity  of ecosystems,  culture,  and  indigenous
11       practices.
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SEC. 3. Definition Of Terms. -As used in this ALct..
(a)  Bz.o/ogr.ccz/ d;.versz.fy or Z)I.odz.versz.ty refers to the variability among living organisms
from   all   sources   including,   I.#/er   cz/i.cz,   terrestrial,   marine   and   other   aquatic
ecosystems  and  the  ecological  complexes  of which  they  are  part;  this  includes
diversity within species, between species and of ecosystems;
(b) Bwjffer zo#es' refers to identified areas outside the boundaries of and immediately
adjacent to protected areas that need special development control in order to avoid
or minimize hami to the protected area;
(c)  Co77servcz/z.o7! refers to any act or acts of preservation and sustainable utilization of
wildlife or maintenance, restoration and enhancement of habitats;
(d) Indigenous Cultural Community (ICC)/Indigenous People (IP) refers to a, group o£
people sharing common bonds of language, customs traditions, and other distinctive
cultural  traits,  and  who  have,  since  time  immemorial  occupied,  possessed  and
utilized a territory;
/e/  IVczfz.o#cz/ p¢rfa  refers  to  land  of  the  public  domain  classified  as  such  in  the
Constitution which includes all areas under the NIPAS, primarily designated for the
conservation of native plants  and  animals,  their associated habitats  and  cultural
diversity;
(I)  P7'ofec/ecJ o7'ccz refers to identified portions of land and/or water set aside by reason
of their unique physical and biological significance, managed to enhance biological
diversity and protected against destructive human exploitation;
(g) Pro/ecfed /cz77cZscczpes refer to areas of national significance which are characterized
by  the  harmonious  interaction  of  man  and  land  and  water  while  providing
opportunities for public enjoyment through recreation, tourism, and other economic
activities;
(h)  re##7'ed  mz.grczJ?fs  refer  to  protected  area  occupants  who  have  been  actually,
continuously and presently occupying a portion of the protected area for five (5)
years before the proclamation or law establishing the same as a protected area, and
are solely dependent therein for subsistence.


1                    SEC. 4. CJ¢ssi}Jc¢JI.o# ¢s ¢ Iva!fl.o#¢/ P¢r4. -All lands of the public domain within the
2       coverage and scope ofppL shall fall under the classification ofnational park as provided for
3       in Article XII, Section 3  of the constitution. Further, alienable and disposable lands covered
4       by the protected area shall retain its original classification, subject to the provisions of section
5        22 ofRA 11038.
6
7       SEc.  5. Scope ¢#d cotJer¢ge. -The boundaries ofppL is more particularly described as the
8       area beginning at a point marked "1" on the Map, being N 59°14'57"E, 402.65 meters from
9       PRS92   Control   Monument  "ILN-3315"   with  geographic   coordinates   18°   21'   7.10333"
1o       Latitude,120° 37' 55.22481" Longitude located at Barangay sulbec, Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte,
thence          N 53-14-46 W
thence          N 57-55-34 W
thence          N 4-22-49 W
thence           N 68-12-0 W
thence          N 37-22-51 W
thence          N 44-45-0 W
thence          N 43-51-19 W
thence          N 47-13-34 W
thence            N 63-52-7 E
thence           N 7-22-45 E
thence           N 7-45-16 W
thence           N 89-31-31  E
thence          N 89-29-28 E
thence           N 0-30-41 W
thence            S 54-12-40 E
thence            S 62-19-45 E
thence           N 79-38-33 E
thence           N 87-30-3 E
thence           N 89-15-24 E
thence             S 7-19-16 E
thence            S 5-51-12 W
thence             S 6-17-43 E
thence            N 73-6-36 E
thence           S  17-10-48 W
thence         N 79-28-47 W
thence           S 41-25-27 W
thence           S 82-38-37 E
thence           S 44-58-15 W
thence             S 28-1-6 W
thence            S 51-9-35 W
thence           S 57-58-18 W
thence           S 20-19-37 W
thence             S 60-5-4 W
thence           N 61-57-6 W
thence           N 61-8-31  W
thence          N 89-38-10 W
42.903           meters to comer
610.578          meters to comer
488.85           meters to comer
576.384          meters to comer
679.923          meters to comer
506.847          meters to comer
36.494           meters to comer
592.416          meters to comer
682.44           meters to comer
616.954          meters to comer
238.138          meters to comer
135.333          meters to comer
527.834          meters to comer
1082.709         meters to comer
195.368          meters to comer
73.794           meters to comer
106.488          meters to comer
5791.818         meters to comer
509.427          meters to comer
219.087          meters to comer
222.687          meters to comer
253.143          meters to comer
74.972           meters to comer
637.315          meters to comer
491.089          meters to comer
385.03           meters to comer
561.233          meters to comer
68.716           meters to comer
813.719          meters to comer
791.023          meters to comer
596.481          meters to comer
332.778          meters to comer
1743.635         meters to comer
520.814          meters to comer
273.109          meters to comer
94.192           meters to comer


thence           N 1-36-19 W
thence           S 68-50-19 W
thence          S 42-27-36 W
thence           S 41-33-51  W
thence              S 6-58-8 E
thence            S 37-50-8 W
thence           N 75-8-38 W
114.855
284.999
297.041
230.693
153.88
502.994
449.018
meters to comer
meters to comer
meters to comer
meters to comer
meters to comer
meters to comer
meters to comer
1       the point of beginning containing an area of two thousand four hundred eighty-two (2,482)
2       hectares, more or less. Bearings and distance of lines were derived using pRS92, Philippine
3       Zone Ill coordinate system, subject to actual gound demarcation.
4                    SEc.    6.  Establishment  Of  Butif ejifer  Zones.-The  Secret&ry  of  the  Dap&atrr\ent  o£
5       Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), upon the recommendation of the protected Area
6       Management  Board  (PAMB)  created  under  Section  7  of this  Act,  may  designate  areas
7       surrounding the PPL as buffer zones for the purpose of providing an extra layer of protection
8       where restrictions may be applied. Provz.did, That, in cases where the designated buffer zone
9       would cover private lands, the owners thereof shall be required to design their development
10      with due consideration to the protected area management plan.
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12                                                                            ARTICLE II
13                                                       MANAGEMENT MECHANISMS
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15                   SEc. 7. Protected Area Management Board (PAMB).-:Within hirLety (90) days from
16       the effectivity of this Act, a protected Area Management Board (PAMB) shall be created to
17       oversee the management of the PPL. The PAMB shall be composed of the following:
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(a)  The DENR Regional Executive Director for Region 1 , as Chairperson;
(b) The  Governor  of  the   Province  of  Ilocos  Norte,   or  histher  duly  designated
representative;
(c)  Senators  of the Republic of the Philippines who  are duly registered residents of
Ilocos Norte, or their duly designated representatives, unless the Senators decline
the membership in the PAMB;
(d) The  Representative  of the  Congressional  District  of Ilocos  Norte  where  PPL  is
located, or histher duly designated representative, unless the District Representative
declines the membership in the PAMB;
(e)  The   Mayor   of  the   municipality   of  Pasuquin,   or   histher   duly   designated
representative;
(I)  The Punong Barangay of each barangay with territorial jurisdiction over PPL;
(g) The Department of Agriculture (DA) Regional Executive Director for Region 1, or
histher designated official representative;
(h) The Regional  Director,  or a designated  official  representative,  of the  following
government agencies for Region 1, namely: the Department of National Defense -
Office  of  Civil   Defense  (DND-OCD),   the  National   Economic  Development
Authority (NEDA), the Philippine National Police (PNP), and the Department of
Science and Technology (DOST);
(i)  Three  (3)  representatives  from  either  non-government  organizations  (NGO)  or
People' s Organizations (PO), duly accredited both by the DENR and the provincial
governlnent. The NGO or PO represented should have been in existence for at least
five (5) years and with track record in or related to protected area management;


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0.)  At least one (1) but not more than three (3) representatives from all the ICCs/IPs
present  in the  area  and  recognized by  the National  Commission  on  Indigenous
Peoples OVCIP);
(k) One ( 1 ) representative from an academic institution, preferably from a university or
college in the Province  of Ilocos Norte,  with a record  of accomplishment in or
related to protected area management and biodiversity conservation; and
(I)  One ( 1 ) representative from the private sector, preferably a resident of Ilocos Norte,
who is distinguished in a profession or fleld of interest relevant to PPL management.
9                    The terms of office of members of the PAMB, as well as the grounds for their removal
1o       shall be in accordance with the provisions ofRepublic Act No 7586, otherwise known as the
11       "National Integrated protected Areas system Act of 1992", as amended by Republic Act No.
12       11038, otherwise known as the "Expanded National Integrated protected Areas system Act of
13        2018".
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15                   SEC.   8.  Powers  ¢#d FWHcfl.o#s  a/ £foe P4„B.-The  PPL  PAMB  shall  have  the
16       following powers and functions:
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(a)  Oversee the management of the PPL;
(b) Approve policies,  plans  and programs,  proposals,  agreements,  and  other related
documents for the management of the PPL;
(c)  Approve the management plan of PPL and ensure its harmonization and integration
with   the   Ancestral   Domains   Sustainable   Development   and   Protection   Plan
(ADSDPP), land use plan and other development plans, public or private, and its
implementation;
(d) Adopt  a manual  of operations  to  include rules  of procedures  in the  conduct  of
business, and the creation of committees and their respective terms of reference;
(e)  Recommend  the  deputation  of  appropriate  agencies   and  individuals   for  the
enforcement of the laws, rules and regulations governing the management of PPL;
(f)  Allocate financial resources for the implementation of the management plan, and
manage PPL Protected Area Retention Income Account (PARIA) and other funds
in accordance with the accounting and budgeting rules and regulations;
(g)  Set fees and charges in accordance with existing guidelines;
(h) Issue rules and regulations for the resolution of conflicts through appropriate and
effective means ;
(i)  Recommend  appropriate  policy  changes  to  the  DENR  and  other  government
authorities;
0)  Monitor and assess the perfomance of the Protected Area Superintendent (PASu)
and other PPL personnel and compliance of partners with the terms and conditions
of any undertaking, contract or agreement;
(k) Recommend  from  among  a  shortlist  of qualified  candidates,  the  designation  or
appointment of the PASu; and
(1)  Assess the effectiveness of the management of PPL: Provz.ded, That the members
of the  management  board  representing  the  LGUs  and  national  agencies  in  the
PAMB  shall  inforin  their  respective  constituents,  offices  or  sectors,  of PAMB
approved or other relevant policies, rules, regulations, programs, and projects and
shall  ensure  that  the  provisions  of  this  Act  and  its  implementing  rules  and
regulations  are  complied  with,  and  used  as  reference  and  framework  in  their
respective  plans,  policies,  programs,  and  projects.  Failure  to  comply  with  the
foregoing shall be the basis for disciplinary action against such member according
to  administrative  rules  and  regulations  and  such  penalties  as  the  PAMB  may


1                            provide;  P7'ovz.c7ec7,  /#rffeer,   That  the  DENR,  through  the  Regional  Executive
2                           Director,  shall  ensure  that  the  PAMB  acts  within  the  scope  of its  powers  and
3                            functions. In case of conflict between the resolutions issued by the PAMB and the
4                           existing administrative orders or national application, the latter shall prevail.
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6                   SEc.    9.  The  Protected  Area  Management  Of f i:ice   (PAMO).-There  is  bereky
7       established  a  PAMO  to  be  headed  by  a  Protected  Area  Superintendent  (PASu)  with  a
8       permanent plantilla position who shall supervise the day to day management, protection and
9       administration ofppL. A sufficient number of support staff with pemianent plantilla positions
1o       shall likewise be appointed by the DENR to assist the pASu in the management of the protected
11        area.
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13                    The  PASu  shall  be  primarily  accountable  to  the  PAMB  and  the  DENR  for  the
14      management and operations of the PPL. Pursuant thereto, the pASu shall have the following
15       duties and responsibilities:
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(a)  Prepare the management plan, in consultation with the stakeholders, including the
annual work and financial plan and ensure its implementation;
(b) Ensure the integration of the protected area management plans, programs, projects,
and policies with relevant national and LGUs' plans and programs;
(c)  Provide  secretariat  services  to  the  PAMB  and  its  committees  and  ensure  the
availability of relevant and timely information for decision-making;
(d) Formulate and recommend to the PAMB proposed policies, rules, regulations, and
programs;
(e)  Establish, operate, and maintain a database management system which shall be an
important basis for decision-making;
(f)  Enforce the laws, rules and regulations relevant to the protected area, commence
and   institute   administrative   and   legal   actions   in   collaboration   with   other
government agencies or organizations,  and assist in the prosecution of offenses
committed in violation of the provisions of this Act;
(g) Monitor, evaluate, and report the implementation of management activities of PPL;
(h) Request  for  and  receive  any  technical  assistance,  support  or  advice  from  any
agency  or  instrumentality  of the  goverrment  as  well  as  academic  institutions,
NGOs, and the private sector, as may be necessary for the effective management,
protection and administration of PPL;
(i)  Issue permits and clearances for activities that implement the management plan and
other permitted  activities  in  accordance  with  the  terms,  conditions,  and  criteria
established  by  the  PAMB:  P7'ovz.c7ec7,  That  all  permits  for  extraction  of natural
resources, including collection of wildlife,  and its by-products or derivatives for
research purposes,  shall  continue to be issued by relevant authorities,  subject to
prior clearance from the PAMB, through the PASu, in accordance with the specific
acts to be covered;
C)  Collect and receive pertinent fees,  charges, donations, and other income for the
protected  area:  Provz.ded,  That  such  fees,  charges,  donations,  and  other income
collected and received shall be reported regularly to the PAMB and the DENR in
accordance with existing guidelines;
(k) Prepare and recommend to the PAMB, approval of the annual work and flnancial
plans of PPL based on the management plan; and,
(1)  Perforin such other functions as the PAMB and the DENR may assign.


1                    The  PAMO  may  be  augmented  by  the  deputized  local  environment  and  natural
2       resources officers upon the recommendation of the PAMB and approval of the DENR.
3
4                                                                      ARTICLE Ill
5                                                                  PROCEEDS AND FEHS
6
7                    SIEC.10. The  Pasuquin Protected Landscape  Integrated Protected Area  Fund. -
8       There is hereby established a trust fund to be known as the Pasuquin Protected Landscape
9       Integrated protected Area Fund (PPL-IPAF) for puaposes of financing projects of the PPL and
1o       the NIPAS. All income generated from the operation of the system or management of wild
11       flora and fauna in the PPL shall accrue to PPL-IPAF. The income shall be derived from fees
12       from visitors/tourists, permitted sale and export offlora and fauna and other allowable use of
13       resources from the protected area, proceeds  from  Special Use in Protected Area (SAPA) in
14       multiple-use zone for tourism concessions, communication and transmission facilities, power
15       generation projects,large scale agriculture and aquaculture enterprise and other contributions
16       from industries and facilities directly  benefiting from the protected area, and other fees and
17       income derived from the operation ofppL.
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19                    The PAMB shall retain seventy-five percent (75%) of all revenues raised through the
2o       above means, which shall be deposited in the protected Area Retained Income Account (PA-
21       RIA)  in  any  authorized  government  depository  bank  within  the  locality:  Provz.cJec7,  That
22       disbursements  out  of such  deposits  shall  be  used  solely  for  the  protection,  maintenance,
23       administration, and management ofppL and implementation of duly approved projects of the
24       PAMB. The remaining twenty-five percent (25%) ofrevenues shall be deposited as a special
25       account in the general fund in the National Treasury for purposes of financing the programs
26       andprojects oftheNIPAS.
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28                    The fund may be augmented by grants, donations, endowment from various sources,
29       domestic or foreign for purposes related to their functions. Provz.did, That the fund shall be
3o       deposited as a special account in the national treasury and disbursements there from shall be
31       made solely for the protection, maintenance, administration and management of the PPL, and
32       duly approved projects endorsed by the PAMB in accordance with existing accounting and
33       budgeting rules and regulations: Provz.dec7, /wr/foer,  That no amount shall be disbursed for the
34       operating expenses of the Department and other concerned agencies.
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36                    The LGUs shall continue to impose and collect all other fees not enumerated herein
37       which they have traditionally collected, such as business permits, property tax and rentals of
38       LGUs' facilities.
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ARTICLE IV
TRANSITORY AND MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
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43                    SEC.11. 4pprapri.aft.o#s.-The secretary of the DENR shall immediately include in
44      the  Department's  program  the  implementation  of this  Act,  the  funding  of which  shall  be
45       included in the Annual General Appropriations Act.
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4]                   SF:c.12. Suppletory Application of the NIPAS Law. -:The provisions o£Tlequb+ic Act
48       No. 7586, as amended by the Republic Act No.11038, shall have suppletory application to this
49       Act.
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1                   SEc.13. Implementing Rules and Regulations. -WLthin ninety (90) days from the
2       effectivity  of this  Act,  the  Secretary  of the  DENR  shall,  in  consultation  with  the  local
3       government of the municipality of pasuquin, the provincial Government of Ilocos Norte, and
4       concerned national government agencies, issue the corresponding rules and regulations for the
5       effective implementation of this Act.
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7                    SEc.    14.  Scp¢r¢bl./rty  CJ¢wse.  -If any  section  or  provision  of this  Act  is  held
8       unconstitutional  or invalid,  the  remaining  sections  or provisions  not  affected  thereby  shall
9       continue to be in full force and effect.
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11                     SEC.15.  Rcpe¢/z.#g  CJ&wsc.    -Alllaws,  decrees,letters  of instruction,  executive
12       orders, rules and regulations and other issuances or parts thereof inconsistent with this Act are
13       hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
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15                    SEC.16. Ej7recfl.tJtry. -This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication
16       in the ojfjJcz.cz/ Gczzc//e or in a newspaper of general circulation.
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19                     Approved ,