Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRHSENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
.  NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
H®usE BEL-L^N`o.    62 78
Introduced by Representative`Ivan Howard A. Guintu
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Water scarcity is a paradox in our modem lives.  While around 71% of our planet is
water, four billion people - almost two thirds of the world's population - experience severe
water scarcity for at least one month each year. Over two billion people live in countries where
water supply is inadequate. Half of the world's population could be living in areas facing water
scarcity by  as early as 2025.  Some 700  million people could be displaced by  intense water
scarcity by 2030. ][1]
Philippines is no exception. Warm climate, development, and growing population have
caused our potable water supply to dwindle at an alarming rate. Water supplies in parts of the
Philippines are frequently scarce and, as a consequence, supplies are frequently shut down to
preserve capacity.  Six to eight months of the year are largely dry: during these months, acute
water shortages occur and people rely on drinking water sources that may not be safe. They
may also lack sufficient water for washing to maintain basic hygiene to prevent infection from
disease. Such inadequate and intermittent water supply in parts of the country present serious
consequences to health.2[2]
As such, we need to adopt a more aggressive policy to manage our water resources.
i UNICEF. Water scarcity. Addressing the growing lack of available water to meet children' s needs. Retrieved
from : https://www.unicef.org/wash/water-scarcity . Accessed on 4 July 2022.
2 Barkwith, Andrew. Improving water security in the Philippines. British Geological Survey (6 October 2021).
Retrieved from : https ://www.bgs.ac.uk/news/improving-water-security-in-the-philippines/


ThisproposedmeasureseekstocreatetheWaterResourcesAuthorityofthePhilippines
(WRAP) to address the various problems encountered by the water sector in the county. This
measure seeks to rationalize the activities of numerous national and local government agencies
that are concerned with water extraction and water distribution. This measure seeks to adapt an
integratedapproachtowaterresourcesdevelopmentforamoreefficientandsustainablepol].cy-
making and implementation.
As proposed in this measure, the WRAP shall absorb the  functions  of the National
Water Resources Board (NWRB) and assume its policy making duties. Furthermore, the Local
Water  Utilities  Administration  (LWUA)  shall  handle  the  licensing  of local  water  districts
subject to regulation by the WRAP. The Water Resources Adjudication Board shall act as a
quasi-judicial body to settle disputes between WRAP and anybody it regulates  such as the
Metropolitan Water Works and Sewerage Systems (MWSS).
The Philippines needs to adopt a long-term policy vis-a-vis the management of water
resources.  The creation of the Water Resources Authority of the Philippines is a long-term
solution to a problem that requires our immediate attention.
In view of this, early passage of this bill is sought.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE 0F REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
HOusE BHjrN^O.    8278
Introduced by Representative Ivan Howard A. Guintu
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR A COMPREHENSIVE WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be  it  enacted by the  Senate  and the  House  Of REpresentatives  Of the  Philippines  in
Congress assembled:
SECTION  1.  SfeorJ  I.I/a  -  This  Act  shall  be  known  as  the  "Water  Resources
Management Act. "
SEC. 2. Dcc/¢r¢tr.oH a/Pt}/I.ey. -The State shall adopt urgent and effective measures
to  address  the  national  water  crisis  as  well  as  measures  for  the  long-term  sustainable
management   of  scarce   water  resources.   To   achieve   this   purpose,   the   utilization   and
developmentofwaterresourcesmustberationalizedandoptimizedthroughanintegratedwater
management   system.   All   agencies   involved   in   water   resources   management   shall   be
streamlined, rationalized and strengthened.
SEC. 3. B¢sI.c P".mcJ.p/gs. --Sustainable management of water resources shall take into
consideration the following principles:
a)   Water is a limited resource and is indispensable for life and to all socio-  economic
sectors.
b)   Water has an economic value in all its competing uses and shall be treated as a social
and economic product.
c)   Water  resources  management  shall  be  decentralized,  participatory  and  community-
based and conducted at the lowest appropriate level.
d)   Women play a central role in water resources management and shall be represented in


decision-making processes.
e)   Private sector and civil society participation shall be encouraged in all levels of water
resources management, utilization and development.
f)   Licensing  shall  be the  mechanism to  ensure that public  interest  is  protected in the
provision of drinking water, sanitation, irrigation or other water services by monopoly
suppliers.
Smc. 4. Tl®e Water Resources Authority of the Philippines. -T:o only ourl the atoi oNe-
declared policy,  there  is  hereby  created the Water Resources  Authority  of the Philippines,
hereinafter referred to as the Authority.
The Authority shall be an attached agency to the Office of the President. The Authority
shall,  in  addition  to  the  powers  and  functions  herein  provided,  exercise  the  powers  and
functions of the National Water Resources Board provided under Presidential Decree No. 424
and Presidential Decree No.  1067.
SHC. 5. Powers ¢"d F##ctl.our.  - The Authority shall have the following powers and
functions:
a)   Formulate, within one (1) year from the effectivity of this Act, a national framework
for integrated and sustainable water resources development, management and planning,
taking into consideration the following:
1)   provisions of supply of water of appropriate quantity and quality to all users in
a manner which reflects national, regional and community priorities;
2)   efficient use of water through demand-side management and other programs;
3)   expansion and improvement of water and sewerage systems especially in low-
income areas by providing an environment conducive to the adequate financing
of public and private water services;
4)   provision of an environment conducive to private  sector participation  in the
water  sector through  economic  incentives,  efficient and  effective  regulatory
mechanisms, and promotion of competition in the supply of water and sewerage
services; and efficient delivery of water sewerage services;
b)   Formulate within one (1) year from the effectivity of this Act, in coordination with
concerned agencies, a franework for a water data collection, and rationalize existing
data collection activities undertaken by various public and private entities;
c)   Formulate,  within  one  (1)  year  from  the  effectivity  of this  Act,  a  national  water


resources  development management plan,  which  shall  be  intergoverrmental,  multi-
sectoral,  decentralized,  community-based and  participatory.  The  plan  shall  include,
among others:
1)   The integration of all plans of the water sector in accordance with the principle
of sustalnable and integrated management of the water resources;
2)   Formulation  and  Adoption   of  measures   to  ensure  the  upgrading   of  the
classification of inland waters based on their potential uses; and
3)   Adoption  of other  measures  in  pursuant  of the  integrated  water  resources
management and development;
d)   Delineate catchment areas, within one (1) year from the effectivity of this Act, and,
whenever  appropriate,  establish  sub-regional  offices  at the  catchment  level  for the
management of the local water resources within the national  framework  formulated
pursuant to this act;
e)   Issue, upon consultation with the public and private entities affected, water permits for
abstractions, diversions or appropriations of inland water; and
f)    Impose fees.
SEC. 6. Profected £4rcus ¢„d j4mccstr¢/ Do#t¢I.us. - Where there are protected areas and
ancestral domains within the river basin or watershed, the Protected Areas Management Board
(PAMB) and the indigenous people, respectively, shall continue to manage the water resources
in their areas,  in coordination with the Authority.  For purposes of this Act, watershed shall
mean land area drained by stream or a fixed body of water and its tributaries having a common
outlet for surface run off
SEC. 7. Prorfe!.bj.fed.4cfsL -The following developmental undertakings on watersheds shall
be prohibited:
a)   road construction, except access roads necessary for the efficient surveillance of the
watershed area, and fan to market roads which provide lifeline support to the people
in the community;
b)   establishment of residential, commercial, industrial subdivisions and golf courses;
c)   Logging;
d)   farming utilizing inorganic fertilizers; and
e)   all  other  land  and  resources  uses/infrastructure  projects  which  are  found  to  be


incompatible with uses of the area as a watershed.
SEC. 8. Orgr#i.zfl!ffo#¢J Sf"cfrore. - The Authority shall consist of the Office of the
Director-General, the staff offices, and the field offices. Subject to the power of the Director-
General to reorganize, restructure, and redefme the functions of the offices and services for the
effective discharge of the powers and functions of the Authority under this Act, the Authority
shall have the following Offices:  Field Offices in each of the water resources zones of the
country;  sub-regional  offices; the Water Regulatory  Services; the Statistics and Infomation
System, Administration and Finance Office; and the Office for Legal Services.
SHC.  9.  Zlfee D!.rector-Ge#crm4  -  The  Authority  shall  be  headed  by  the  Director-
General who shall be appointed by the President. The Director-General shall cany the rank and
have the powers of a Secretary and shall be a member of the Cabinet.
No person shall be appointed Director-General, Deputy Director-General or Assistant
Director General unless he or she is a citizen and resident of the Philippines, of good moral
character,  and  of proven  competence  in  any  of the  following  fields:  (a)  water  or  utility
economics; (b) public administration; (c) physical or engineering services; (d) management;
(e) hydrology and other related sciences; or (f) law.
The Director-General shall have the following powers and functions:
a)   establish  pohcies  and  standards  for  the  effective  and  efficient  operation  of  the
Authority;
b)   create sub-regional offices at the catchment level and such other service units as may
be necessary;
c)   recommend  to   Congress   the   creation   of  catchment  authorities   for  the   optimal
management of the water resources in the area;
d)   coordinate  prograns  and  initiatives  of public  and private  entities  and  communities
relating   to   water  resources   data   collection,   research   and   planning,   as   well   as
implementation of water development projects within the National Water Resources
Management and Development Plan;
e)   reorganize the Authority as necessary for the efficient and effective implementation of
this Act; and
f)   perform such other functions as may be necessary and proper to attain the objectives of
this Act.
SrfLC. 10. I)aputy  Director-General and Assistant Director-General. - The Daprty
Director-General and the Assistant Director-General shall comply with the requirements for


Career Executive Service Officers under the Civil Service Law and other related laws, rules
and regulations.
SEC.  11.  W¢fer Resowrces 4dj#di.caf*.o# Board -There is hereby created a Water
Resources Adjudication Board, hereinafter referred to as the Board, under the Office of the
Director-General. The Board shall be composed of the Director-General as Chairperson, and
two other permanent and independent members to be appointed by the Director-General. The
Director of the Office for Legal Services shall serve as counsel to the Board.
The Water Resources Adjudication Board shall have the following powers:
a)   Exercise appellate jurisdiction over decisions of the water adjudicatory officers in cases
involving the exercise of the Authority's regulatory function, including but not limited
to the following:
1)   disputes on raw water fees;
2)   disputes on tariffs collected by monopoly suppliers of water and/or sewerage
services and irrigation services;
3)   disputes involving water permits, administrative allocation of water resources
and transfer of water rights;
4)   enforcement of contracts  for privatized monopoly  suppliers  of water and/or
sewerage   services   including   contracts   with   the   concessionaires   of   the
Metropolitan Water Works and Sewerage Systems;
5)   disputes over hydropower projects;
6)   disputes involving monopoly suppliers of water and/or sewerage services and
inigation services;
7)   complaints  regarding  the  quality  of  service  of  suppliers  of  water  and/or
sewerage services and of inigation services, and
8)   such other cases specified under Presidential Decree No. 424 and Presidential
Decree No.  1067.
All decisions of the Board shall be final and executory fifteen (15) days after
notice of the decision unless appealed to the Supreme Court. The decision of the Board
with   regard   to   tariffs   and   irrigation   fees   shall   be   immediately   executory   and
enforcement thereof may be suspended only upon filing of a bond, in an amount fixed
by the Board to answer for damages occasioned by the suspension or stay of execution.
No injunction may be issued by any court to restraln any proceeding before the Water


Resources Adjudication Board except on the basis of question of law by the Supreme
Court on certiorari.
b)   Promulgate rules of procedure;
c)   Administer  oaths   and  compel  the  attendance  of  witnesses   and  presentation   of
doourments dy subpoena and subpoena duces tecum.>
d)   Declare a person in contempt for non-compliance or violation of its Orders and jn the
sane manner as  indirect contempt of a regional trial  court upon application by  the
Board or the aggrieved party herein; and
e)   Exercise   such  other  powers   as   may   be   necessary  to   cany   out  its   duties   and
responsibilities under this law.
SEC.  12.  W¢fer Resowrces  Cous#/fa[tr.tic  Co#r.ci.i  -  Every  field  office,  and  each
catchment office, shall have a Water Resources Consultative Council which shall serve as its
permanent  advisory  council.  It  shall  be  intergovemmental  and  multi-sectoral.  Pursuant  to
Section  5  of this  Act,  the  Council  may  submit  water  resources  management  plans  to  the
Authority  for  approval.  The  Council  shall  also  provide  a  venue  for  alternative  dispute
management for conflicts within their j urisdiction.
SEC. 13. Monopoly  Suppliers of  Water and/or  Sewerage  Services  and Irrigation
Servi.ccs.  - All  public  and  private  monopoly  suppliers  of water  and/or  sewerage  services
including, but not limited to local government units and local water districts, shall be required
to  procure  a  Water  and/or  Sewerage  Services  Operating  License  from  the  Authority  as  a
prerequisite to its operation. All public and private monopoly suppliers of irrigation services,
shall likewise be required to procure an Irrigation License from the Authority: Provj.c7ec7,  That
all local government units involved in the supply of irrigation services shall register with the
Authority; Prov7.c7ccJ, /#r/fec7.,  That when any such irrigation activity or project(s) of the local
government units are privatized, they shall be required to procure a license under this provision.
The license shall include, but shall not be limited to provisions on: (a) exclusive right
to supply water and/or sewerage services in the franchise area subject to the right of other legal
service providers already operating in the area; (b) standards on the quality of drinking water,
sewage discharge, and service efficiency; (c) the nature of services to be provided; (d) duration
of the  license;  /e/  tariffs to be charged;  (f) the basis  for variance  of the tariffs,  if any;  (g)
reporting requirements; and (h) sanctions for failure to comply with the standards set. Water
supply shall as much as possible be integrated with sewerage services.
The  Authority   shall   promote  and  approve  the  consolidation  of  drinking  water,
sewerage, irrigation and other water utility services to improve efficiency and cost of service,
as well as to promote investments. Licensees must have technical, financial, and managerial
capability to provide the services. All holders of the Operating License shall be subject to a
periodic performance audit by the Authority or its designated agents.


All existing holders of Certificates of Conformance issued by the Local Water Utilities
Administration (LWUA) shall be automatically granted an operating license. Water districts
shall continue to have their franchise areas granted under Presidential Decree  198 subject to
the guidelines set by the Authority on the rights and obligations of an operating license holder.
LWUA  shall  continue  to  issue  Certificates  of  Conformance  to  water  districts  to  ensure
compliance with its standards 'and procedures established.  The Authority  shall regulate the
rates set by local water districts as approved by the LWUA.
For the purpose of this section, monopoly supply of water, sewerage and/or irrigation
services refer to the situation where an entity operating a piped water network and/or piped
sewerage services from any water source can influence or dictate the price of water and exclude
competition. The term monopoly shall include, but shall not be limited to piped water networks
of service coming from surface water, ground water, and desalinated water.
SEC.  14.  Non-Monopoly  Water  Su|]ply  and/or  Sewerage  and  Irrigation  Service
Prow.der. - All wells for domestic use and all Rural Waterworks and Sanitation Associations
and Barangay Waterworks and Sanitation Associations shall be registered with the Authority.
All  local  government  units,  associations;  and  other  entities  engaged  in  water  supply  and
sanitation services,  and irrigation services not amounting to  a monopoly  shall  register their
operations with the Authority.
SE:C.1S. Incentives for the Use o£ Clean and VIater Saving Technology. -In order to
encourage the sustainable utilization of water resources, the Authority shall recommend to the
Board of Investments the grant to public and private entities of incentives such as:
a)   exemption from custom and tariff duties for the importation of "clean and water-saving
technology" as defined by the Authority; and
b)   tax rebate of up to fifty percent of the actual cost of the "clean" equipment or technology
to be imported or purchased.
SEC.  16.  Environrneutal  Impact  Assessnent  for  Large  Scale  Abstraction  or
Di.versl.o" of W¢fer. -All large-scale water abstraction, diversion, and appropriation activities
shall be considered as environmentally critical projects and shall be covered by Presidential
Decree No.15 86, its implementing rules and other related laws, rules and regulations.
SHC. L] . Integration Of Water Resource Managei'I'Ient Plan to Zor[ing and Land Use
PJ¢„s.  ~  All  national  and  local  zoning  or  land  use  plans  shall  integrate  water  resource
management plans.
SEC. 18.  y..sz.forJ.fl/ Power ¢„d Access fo Records. - The Authority may authorize its
representatives or any  deputized agent to enter any public or private property, buildings or
enclaves,  whether inhabited or not,  for the purpose of conducting hydrologic  surveys,  and


investigations on conditions of installed water facilities and compliance with water laws and
standards and the Authority's rules and regulations. The Authority or its authorized agents may
at any time have access to any record and photocopy the sanie for the above declared purposes.
SHC.19. CoH#.#ge"ey Power. -In times of critically low water levels and when there
is immediate danger to the major sources of water supply, as determined by the Authority, the
Authority  shall  have the  power to convene  an  intergovemmental  emergency  committee to
protect water resources through: (a) designation of critical watersheds; (b) imposition of land
use controls; (c) promulgation of measures to recover costs from responsible parties; and (d)
undertaking of such other emergency actions as it deems necessary to protect the water sources.
Where there is prj.7"cz/czcz.e evidence that the water level is critically low or where there
is immediate danger to the major sources of water supply, the Authority may issue ex-p¢r/e
temporary  cease and desist orders provided that such case is  subsequently  endorsed to the
appropriate government agency for proper action. The agency concerned shall act within fifteen
(15) days from such endorsement.
SEC. 20. rro„s/er of Powers fl[„d F##ctr.our a#d ,4£scrs. ~ The powers and functions
of the National Water Resources Board (NWRB) under Presidential Decree Nos. 424 and 1067
and other laws, are hereby transferred to the Authority. The transfer of powers and functions
shall  include  the  transfer  of  all  funds  and  appropriations  including  records,  equipment,
property, personnel and unexpended appropriations cz#cZ/or allocations of the NWRB to the
Authority.  The same shall apply to government agencies which have not been abolished but
whose functions have been effectively transferred to the Authority. Officers and employees of
said offices, agencies and government units shall continue in a hold-over capacity until such
time  as  the  new officers  and  employees  of the  Authority  shall  have  been  duly  appointed
pursuant to the provisions of this Act.
SEC. 21. rrous/er of RIgfets ¢#d I,I.¢d#].#.cS. -The Authority shall be subrogated to all
the rights and assume the liabilities of the NWRB, and other government agencies and units
whose functions and powers have been transferred to the Authority and shall be acted upon in
accordancewiththerulesandregulationsoftheCommissiononAuditandotherpertinentlaws,
rules and regulations.
SEC.   22.   Sf¢Jj7F„g.   -  The  positions   herein  created  shall   be   filled  by   regular
appointments  in  accordance  with  a  staffing  plan  prepared  by  the  Director-General.  The
persomel of the NWRB shall be given preference in the positions herein created in accordance
with Civil Service Rules and Regulations; Prov7.decJ, however, that such personnel shall comply
anew with the qualification standards set by the Authority and/or the Civil Service Commission
for the positions for which they may apply.
There shall be an early retirement incentive for employees who shall be separated from
the service.


SEC. 23. rraus!.tory M¢#¢ge#®ercf JIJ¢m - The Authority shall formulate a transitory
management plan for the phase-in of its operations.  The Authority shall be fully operational
within one year from the effectivity of this Act.
The  Authority  shall  phase-in  the  effectivity  of the  new  schedule  of fees  for  the
appropriation of raw water within three years from the approval of this act. The new raw water
fee  shall be implemented in the irrigation sector within a period of five (5) years  from the
approval of this Act.
SELC. 24. Penalties. -
a)   Any  person,  natural  or juridical,  found violating  the  provisions  of this  Act  and  its
Implementing Rules and Regulations shall be liable to pay a fine not exceeding Five
Million Pesos (Php 5,000,000.00) or imprisonment from six (6) months to six (6) years,
or both, at the discretion of the Court.  If the offense is committed by a corporation,
partnership,  association or any  other juridical  person,  the  penalty  shall  be  imposed
against the officer/s, member/s and/or employee/s who took part in the commission of
the offense, who consented thereto or who is/are otherwise responsible. This is without
prejudice  to  the  filing  of civil  and  administrative  action  against  said  corporation,
partnership, association or other j uridical person;
b)   Any  person  or  entity  who  shall  refuse,  obstruct  or  hamper  the  entry  of the  duly
authorized representatives of the Authority into any property of the public domain or
private  property  pursuant  to  its  visitorial  powers,  shall  be  liable  to  pay  a  fine  not
exceeding ten thousand pesos ¢hp 10,000.00) or imprisonment not exceeding one (1)
month, or both, at the discretion of the Court.
S;HC. 2S. Fees, Adndnistrative Fines and Sanctions. -
a)   The Authority may suspend or revoke any water permit or license issued to any person
or entity who shall violate any of the terms and conditions therein set forth and/or any
rules and regulations promulgated by the Authority.
b)   The Authority may issue a cease and desist order against any person or entity found to
be violating any of the provisions of this Act, the Water Code, its implementing rules
and regulations or any order or decision of the Authority.
c)   The Authority shall declare a person in contempt for non-compliance with or violation
of its orders. The person so declared in contempt shall be punished in the same manner
as indirect contempt of a Regional Trial Court, mof2j praprjo or upon application by
any aggrieved party herein.
d)   The   Authority   shall   promulgate   rules   and   regulations   for   the   imposition   of
administrative fines and sanctions for failure to comply with any order, decision, rule


and regulation of the authority.
e)   Fees and revenues collected shall be retalned by the Authority  forming a trust fund
which  shall  be  allocated  among  the  (1)  share  of the  local  government  unit  in  the
exploration of the natural resources within its territory in accordance with the Local
Government Code of 1991  as amended;  (2) administrative costs of operation of the
Authority  and  its  deputized  agents;  (3)  awareness  building  for  sustainable  water
resources  utilization,  development  and  management;   (4)  community-based  water
resources plarming efforts; (5) financial grants for data collection, water impoundment
and development proj ects, research activities for the development of technology which
advances the sustainable utilization of water resources; (6) subsidies for water supply
and  sewerage  projects  to  low-income  communities;  (7)  subsidies  from  the  Water
Resources  Development Fund  for the  import  or purchase  of "clean"  equipment  or
technology; (8) compensation for payment of water rights; (9) capability building or
community-based water resources management; ( 10) other areas priority as determined
by the Director-General.
SEC. 26. Coxpe"soJI.o"/or Dfl!muzges. -Compensation for damages to water sources,
due  to  pollution  from  identified  sources,  salt  water  intrusion  of  aquifers  by  reason  of
unauthorized abstraction of underground water, and other damages resulting from violations of
the Water Code, its rules and regulations, and wrongful acts punishable by law, which result in
the deterioration of the quality of water supply sources, shall be collected by the Authority.
Snc. 27. 4xproprJ.¢fromsL - Such sums necessary for the implementation of this Act
shall be taken from the current fiscal year appropriation of the National Water Resources Board
and  such  amounts  as  the  President  of the Philippines  may  allocate  from  other  sources  in
accordance with law. Thereafter, the amount needed for the operation and maintenance of the
Authority shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act. The funds collected or
which  otherwise  come  into  the  possession  of the  Authority  and  its  Offices  from  fees,
surcharges, fines and penalties which the Authority may impose and collect under its Act shall
be disbursed for expenses necessary for the effective discharge of the powers and functions of
the Authority.
SEC. 28. R#/es ¢#d Regri/¢lfous. - The Authority, in coordination with the DENR,
shall, promulgate such rules and regulations for the proper inplementation of this Act.
SHC. 29. Repefl/I.ng C/¢kse. -Section 4(b) of presidential Decree No. 66, as amended,
Presidential  Decree No.  424,  Section 45  (a)  and 62(A)  of Presidential Decree No.  198,  as
amended and NWRB Resolution No.  1444, Series of 1980, as amended, are hereby repealed.
Republic Acts Nos.  3601, 4850, 6234,  7227, 7916 and 7922; Presidential Decrees Nos.  66,
198,  926,  1556,  1067  and  1586,  and  Executive  Orders  No.   124,  192  and  230  are  hereby
modified accordingly. All laws, decrees, executive orders, memoranduni orders, memorandum
Circulars,  administrative  orders,  ordinances  or  any  part  thereof,  inconsistent  herewith  are
hereby deemed repealed or modified accordingly.


SEC. 30. Scp¢rabJ./rty CJ¢us& ~  In the event that any provision of this Act is declared
unconstitutional, the validity of the remainder shall not be affected thereby.
SHC.  31.  EJj7:ccfl.vJtry  CJ¢useL  -This  Act shall  take  effect fifteen (15)  days  after  its
complete  publication  in the  Official  Gazette  or  in  at  least two  (2)  newspapers  of general
circulation.
Approved,