create an ad hoc off

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE GF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
Eighteenth Congress
First Regular Session

S35

House Bill No.

Introduced by Rep. AURELIO "DONG" D. GONZALES, JR.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Central Luzon, which is composed of Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac, and
Zambales invariably suffer massive flooding during rainy season. The rainy season starts in June and ends in
October of every year. As 2 result. tremendous losses of properties composing high value crops. rice. and
other agricultural crops such as rice and aquatic resources tke effect. This is not to mention the
inconvenience and suffering of the residents within the areas affected by flooding. which is incapable of
pecuniary estimation.

Studies show that the proximate cause of the flooding is due to the heavy siltation of the waterways
in the region — which is exacerbated by the absence of adequate flood control facilities and poor
maintenance of existing ones. Such challenges are the result of lack of fimds from the government. This is
due to the fact that the agency of the national government primarily in charged with the planning and
implementation of infrastructure projects does not put much emphasis on projects.

In essence therefore, it is not only imperative but likewise urgent that a permanent office be created
by law instead of merely issuance of the Department of Public Works and Highways whose purpose is to
ensure not only continuity but also focus on ao other concems except on matters
Which are utmost priority pertaining to flood control projects in the region. This office shall none the less be
placed under the controt and supervision of the Secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways
most especially in terms of policy formation, feasibility studies, and planning and implementation of flood
control projects funded by the national government. It important to note that the office shall be independent
and autonomous from the office of the Regional Director of Region Il.

‘This proposed office shall focused solely on the identification of causes of the flooding and
formulation of solutions that would effectively mitigate if not prevent the flooding problem in Central Luzon
n basis.



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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Quezon City

Eighteenth Congress

First Regular Session

Howse BillNo. 215.

Introduced by Rep. AURELIO "DONG" D. GONZALES, JR.

AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE CREATION OF THE CENTRAL
LUZON RIVER CONTROL SYSTEM COMMISSION COVERING THE
PROVINCES OF BATAAN, BULACAN, NUEVA ECIJA, PAMPANGA,
TARLAC, AND ZAMBALES AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

Section 1. Short Title — This Act shall be known as the Central Luzon River Control

Section 2. Composition of the Central Luzon River Control System Commission —
The Central Luzon River Control System Commission shall be headed by a Projec!
Manager to be appointed by the Secretary of the Department of Public Works and
Highways. The Project Manager shall be assisted by an assistant with the rank,
qualiiications and salary of a Project Manager Ii to be appointed likewise by the
- Secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways. The Project Manager
shall likewise be assisted by such technical, financial and administrative personnel
which shall be provided in the Project Management Office staffing pattern or plantilla
as may be recommended by the Project Manager and approved by the appropriate
agencies of the national government.

Section 3. Supervision of the Project Management Office — The Secretary of the
Department of Public Works and Highways shall exercise supervision and contro!
over the Project Management Office. As such, the funds of the Project Management
Office shall be automatically included in the annual budget of the Department of
Public Works and Highways and shall be released directly thereto by the concemed
offices of the national government.


Section 4. Areas of Jurisdiction of the Project Manasement Office- The rre::
Management Office shall exercise original jurisdiction on matters conceming
natonaily finded major flood control projects in the Provinces of Bataan, Bulacan,
inueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac and Zambaies.

Section 5. Powers and Functions of the Project Management Office — The Project
Management Office shall exercise original jurisdiction to identify nationally funded
major flood control projects is its areas of jurisdiction including any and ali activities
related thereto such as, but not limited to, pre-feasibility studies, feasibilities studies,

pre-detailed engineering, detailed engineering, construction, repair, rehabilitation
and maintenance of existing flood control facilities which are already existing but are
presently under the jurisdiction of the Department of Public Works and Highways.
The Project Management Office shalt also exercise the powers and functions to
implement all major flood control projects within the five provinces of Central Luzon
mentioned herein.

Section 6. The Project Management Office shall also have the power to create its
own Bids and Awards Committee for the purpose of andertaking the procurement
activities for its contract whether for infrastructure projects. consultancy or goods.

Section 7. Transfer of Personnel of the Regional and District Offices of the
Department of Public Works and Highways assigned to Flood Control Projects in
Central Luzon to the Project Management Office — Within sixty (68) days upon
effectivity of this Act, to avoid redundancy and/or duplication of functions. all
personnel of the Regional and District Offices of the Depanment of Public Works
and Highways assigned to their major flood control projects shall be transferred to
and absorbed by the Project Management Office without loss of rights of seniority.
security of tenure, dimimution in rank and saiaries and other monetary benetiits which
they are presently receiving on account of the positions they are presently holding.

_Seetion 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations — Within sixty (60) days from the

effectivity of this Act, the Project Manager shall create a Technical Working Group
to promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the implememtation of this Act
and submitted to the Secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways or
as may be required by law tw other agencies of the national government for review
and approval.

Section 9. Appropriations Act — Funds necessary for the provisions of this Act shall
be taken from the funds allotted to the Regional and District Offices in Central Luzon
of the Department of Public Works and Highways for the implementation of
nationally funded flood contro! projects in their areas of jurisdiction including, but
not limited to, pre-feasibility studies, feasibiliny studies, detailed engineering,
construction, rehabilitation, improvement and/or maintenance thereof. The Secretary
of the Department of Public Works and Highways or as may be appropriate and
necessary, other officials of the concemed national goverment agencies are hereby



directed to effect the transfer of the funds within sixty (60) diws to the rr
Management Office once this becomes operational. Exempiea trom tunis provisions
are constuction, rehabilitation, improvement and/or maintenance of flood controf
prujecis When are already on-going or are aiready bid out including those that are
presently undergoing procurement process.

Section 10. Repealing Clause — Any and all Acts, administrative issuances, rules and
regulations inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed accordingly.

Section 11.— Separability Clause — If any provision of this Act is dectared invalid or
unconstifufional, the other provisions noi affected thereby shall remain valid and
subsisting.

Section 12. — Effectivity Clause — This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days
from its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of national circulation.