Compensation Modification for Sanitation Inspectors Law of 2026

Senter TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE Office of the retaig REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) First Regular Session ) JAN 28 P12:59 SENATE RECEIVED BY 1725 S.B. No. _ Introduced by Senator Panfilo M. Lacson AN ACT MODIFYING THE SALARY GRADE SCHEDULE AND ENHANCING THE BENEFITS OF SANITATION INSPECTORS, PROTECTING THEIR GENERAL WORKING CONDITIONS, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR EXPLANATORY NOTE Presidential Decree No. 856, series of 1975 enacted the Sanitation Code of the Philippines, laying down the functions of the Department of Health in promoting and preserving the health of the people and raising the health standards of individuals and communities throughout the country. The Code provides specific safety requirements for water supply, food establishments, vermin control, and toilet and washing facilities, among others. Central to the implementation of this law are the Sanitation Inspectors who have the duty to enter any premises engaged in the manufacture, preparation, or packing of any article of food for sale or any premises used for any of the purposes referred to in the Sanitation Code for the purpose of inspection or any other action necessary for the administration of the same. A 2021 joint press statement of the Department of Health (DOH), World Health Organization (WHO), and the Unicef stated that the 2,700 sanitation inspectors 1 https://www.unicef.org/philippines/press-releases/five-fold-increase-municipal-targets-needed-end- open-defecation-2025

in the country were unevenly distributed. It likewise stated that 68% of cities in the country have fewer sanitation inspectors than what is required for a given population. It must be noted that the standard ratio is one (1) sanitary inspector for every 20,000 population. Despite all the health hazards that a sanitary inspector encounters in the fulfilment of his or her duties, a Sanitary Inspector I only receives a monthly salary of P18,255.002. This bill aims to professionalize the health and sanitary-related services rendered by sanitation inspectors by requiring the registration and accreditation of the sanitation inspectors to ensure the healthcare and welfare of the community. The bill further intends to positively augment and improve the basic monetary compensation of sanitation inspectors by modifying the salary grade schedule for all registered sanitation inspectors nationwide and correlating the existing position titles of SIs to the next higher salary grade. In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. Panfilo M. La Lacson Senator 2 https://csc.gov.ph/career/job/4767629

Silate TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE Difice of the baring REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) First Regular Session ) JAN 28 P12:59 SENATE S.B. No. 1725 RECEIVED BY 10V Introduced by Senator Panfilo M. Lacson AN ACT MODIFYING THE SALARY GRADE SCHEDULE AND ENHANCING THE BENEFITS OF SANITATION INSPECTORS, PROTECTING THEIR GENERAL WORKING CONDITIONS, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Compensation

2 Modification for Sanitation Inspectors Law of 2026." 3 SECTION 2. Statement of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to provide all government personnel with a just and equitable compensation in accordance 5 with the principle of "equal pay for work of equal value". In pursuit of this 6 policy, the State shall ensure that differences in pay and benefits must be based 7 upon essential differences in duties, responsibilities, accountabilities, and 8 qualification requirements of the job positions concerned. 9 SECTION 3. Definition. - As used in this Act, the term Sanitation inspector (SI) is a person who performs routine inspection, examination, and/or review work in the field of environmental health sanitation in compliance with the Code on Sanitation of the Philippines (Presidential Decree No. 856), and its implementing rules and regulations. The SIs primarily help to develop and promote health and sanitation enhancement programs at the community-level.

SECTION 4. Coverage. - This Act shall apply to all sanitation inspectors

nationwide as defined under Section 3 of this Act: Provided, that all modified compensations and benefits granted under this Act shall extend only to

accredited Sis who have been working with their local health authorities for at least six (6) months, and are duly registered with their respective local health boards.

SECTION 5. Registration. - All sanitation inspectors shall be registered with

the local health boards of the provinces, cities or municipalities in which they render service. Registered SIs shall be issued with officially documented proof 7 of said registration. 8 The provinciai, city and municipai heaith offices snaii reguiariy update and maintain the SI Registry. The SI Registry shall be subject to the approval of 10 the city and municipal health boards. The local health offices shall submit a copy of their updated and duly approved registries to the Provincial Health Office for consolidation and validation with the assistance of the League of Sanitation Inspectors of the Philippines, Inc. (LSIP). These registries shall likewise be subject to the approval of the Provincial Health Board. The Provincial SI Registry shall, furthermore, be publicized through the provincial, city and municipal bulletin boards, including in barangay health centers. The Provincial SI Registry shall be submitted on or before April 30 of every year to the regional and national levels of the Department of Health (DOH) for consolidation purposes. The DOH is hereby mandated to maintain a regularly updated national registry of sanitation inspectors. In order to qualify for registration, a sanitation inspector must: 5.1. Have rendered basic sanitary-related work continuously and satisfactorily for at least six (6) months immediately preceding the date of the filing of application for registration; 5.2. Have completed the basic orientation and training for SIs as prescribed by the DOH and conducted by an accredited government agency, or DOH-recognized academic institution, or non-government organization (NGO); 5.3. Be at least eighteen (18) years of age at the date of filing of the application for registration; and 5.4. Be physically and mentally fit. It shall be the duty of the city and municipal health offices, in cooperation with the Provincial Health Office and the DOH, to provide SI applicants with

additional proper trainings within six (6) months from the date of approval of their applications.

SECTION 6. Accreditation. - To protessionalize the health and sanitarian-

related services rendered by the sanitation inspectors, and to further ensure the healthcare and welfare of the community, a registered SI must be duly 6 accredited by the city or municipal health board. 7 The city or municipal health board shall issue a certificate of accreditation to quaiified sanitation inspectors. in order to qualify for accreditation, the applicant SI must: 6.1. Be registered in accordance with Section 5 hereof; 6.2. Have adequately undertaken the role of a SI in the locality as provided for in Section 7 hereof, with at least six (6) months of continuous and satisfactory service immediately prior to the filing of application for accreditation; and 6.3. Have completed a regular training program on sanitarian-related work in order to upgrade and develop the skills and competency required of a SI. The training program shall be institutionalized by the DOH, in cooperation with local government units (LGUs). It shall be the duty of the city or municipal government, as the case may be, in cooperation with the provincial government and DOH, to provide applicant SIs the necessary support and opportunities for accreditation. A sanitation inspector must complete the regular training program on environmental health sanitation within five (5) years from registration. The provincial, city and municipal health boards, or through their registration and accreditation committees, shall act on the applications for accreditation of SIs not later than thirty (30) days from the date of application. The DOH shall also maintain and publicize a regularly updated central roster of all accredited SIs for the general public's awareness and information.

SECTION 7. Roles, Duties and Responsibilities of Sanitation Inspectors. - The

sanitation inspectors basically ensure that environmental health and sanitation facilities and services are established and delivered, particularly at the community-evei. As key frontine partners in public neaith, the DOh and iGus shall support the SIs as they perform their principal multi-role tasks. The SIs

essentially provide community support, administrative, and technical functions related to environmental health sanitation, school health, control of communicable diseases, and other tasks assigned by their supervising officers. The following are their roles, duties, and responsibilities: 7.1 Advocate - to support, promote and champion sanitation-based health programs, projects and activities for an improved health status of the community; 7.2 Educator - to guide and advise the community on the current health primacies of the DOH, especially the LGU-based health sanitation agenda, priorities and programs; 7.3 Disseminator- to maintain regular communication with other local heaith workers on sanitation-based health updates, issues and concerns relevant to the community and, to equally inform the same to the community for appropriate action, if necessary; 7.4 Linker- to help establish good working relations with (and to facilitate access to) different community organizations, particularly the barangays, in order to link them to the planning and implementation of community- based environmental health sanitation activities; 7.5 Administrative Work - to maintain records and prepare updated reports on sanitation- related data, coordinate activities and events in the community, and schedule appointments; 7.6 Health Care Service Provider- to assist and provide basic health care services as may be needed for the community during any health event; 7.7 Planner - plans the environmental health sanitation programs together with the Provincial, City or Municipal Health Officer and requests the necessary budget from the government agency concerned; 7.8 Participant - contributes to the overall planning of the community's environmental health sanitation programs, participates in pertinent staff and community meetings, attends relevant conferences and trainings, etc.; and 7.9 Legal complaints - attends to complaints and legal matters concerning her/his work on environmental health sanitation.

SECTION 8. Scope of Work of Sanitation Inspectors. - All sanitation

inspectors shall pursue their duties, roles and responsibilities as defined by

Section 7 of this Act: Provided further, that they should apply their functions and

tasks to the field of sanitation as delineated by PD No. 856 (Code on Sanitation of the Philippines). In the protection and promotion of the people's health related to environmental health sanitation under this same law, the SI's scope of work 7 is regulatory in nature. 8 The chief tasks of sanitation inspectors mainly center upon the preservation of the country's water supplies; food establishments; markets and abattoirs; public laundries; school sanitation and health services; industrial hygiene; public swimming or bathing places; rest areas, bus terminals, bus stops and service stations; camps and picnic grounds; dancing schools, dance halls and night clubs; tonsorial and beauty establishments; massage clinics and sauna bath establishments; hoteis, moteis and apartments, lodging, boarding, or tenement houses, and condominiums; port, airport, vessel and aircraft sanitation; vermin control; sewage collection and disposal, excreta disposal and drainage; refuse disposal; nuisances and offensive trades and occupations; pollution of the environment; and, disposal of dead persons. in addition to this, the sanitation inspectors shaii continue to heip impiement major sanitation-related provisions of other associated national laws. This comprises work connected to the Clear Water Act (RA No. 9725), the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act (RA No. 9003), the Toxic Substances and Hazardous and Nuclear Wastes Control Act (RA No. 6969), plus amendments associated with PD No. 600 (Prevention and Control of Marine Pollution).

SECTION 9. Number of Sanitation Inspectors. - A 2021 report of the

Department of Health estimated a figure of less than 3000 sanitation inspectors operating in the Philippines. However, the currently estimated population of the Philippines is over 117 million Filipinos as of mid-2023. Based upon World Health Organization (WHO) benchmarks reflecting the standard ratio of one (1) SI for every 20,000 people (of the general public), the Philippines will now require approximately 6000 SIs to aptly serve the country's sanitation-related healthcare needs. The DOH shall now determine the appropriate number of sanitation inspectors considered necessary for the country: Provided, that the total figure of Sis nationwide shall not be less than the WHO's own standard.

1 The residents of the barangay must be given preference in the employment of 2 Sis and who, shall subsequently work in the city or municipal health offices of their respective local government units. 4 SECTION 10. Modification of Salary Grade Schedule for Sanitation Inspectors. - There shall be a modified salary grade schedule for all registered sanitation inspectors nationwide. This involves correlating the existing position titles of SIs to that of the next higher salary grade. This adjustment is intended to positively augment and improve the basic monetary compensation of the sanitation inspectors. 10 The current level of salary grades matching present SI positions have remained the same since the passage of RA No. 6758 (Compensation and Position Classification Act of 1989). With the enactment of RA No. 11466 (Salary Standardization Law of 2019), however, the Civil Service Commission (CSC) continues to maintain the long-unchanged salary grade table for sanitation inspectors. This modification is being undertaken to correct this partial condition in line with the State's principle of 'all government personnel shall be paid a just and equitable compensation in accordance with the principle of equal pay for work of equal value. The following table indicates the modified and upgraded salary grade schedule for registered sanitation inspectors; this also stipulates the basic qualification standards (QS) per specific and corresponding SI position: Position Title Salary Grade From To

Sanitation Inspector III SG 11 SG 15 - Must have completed at least four (4) years of college-level studies (in any course); - Must have passed the CSC's Professional Level Examination; - Must have undergone the basic orientation on PD No. 856; - Must have concluded at least two (2) trainings related to environmental health sanitation (i.e., on basic food hygiene and safety, water sanitation and hygiene, industrial safe use of hygiene, chemicals, etc.); - Must have at least two (2) years of work experience related to environmental health sanitation; - Must be capabie in preparing reports and other correspondences with limited supervision; and - Must have good verbal, written and basic computer skills.

Sanitation Inspector V SG 15 SG 21 - Must have completed at least four (4) years of college-level studies (in any course); - Must have passed the CSC's Professional Level Examination; - Must have concluded the basic orientation on PD No. 856; - Must have concluded at least three (3) trainings related to environmental health sanitation (i.e., on basic food hygiene water and safety, sanitation and hygiene, industrial hygiene, safe use of chemicals, etc.); - Must have at least five (5) years of varied work experience related to environmental health sanitation; - Must have creative, innovative and critical problem-solving and supervisorial skills; - Must be capable in preparing reports and other correspondences with limited supervision; and - Must have good verbal, written and basic computer skills.

Sanitation Inspector VI SG 18 SG 23 - Must have completed at least four (4) years of college-level studies (in any course); - Must have passed the CSC's Professional Level Examination; - Must have concluded the basic orientation on PD No. 856; - Must have concluded at least four (4) trainings related to environmental health sanitation (I.e., on basic food hygiene and safety, water sanitation and hygiene, industrial hygiene, safe use of chemicals, etc.); - Must have at least six (6) years of varied work experience related to environmental health sanitation; - Must have creative, innovative and critical and problem-solving supervisorial skills; - Must be capable in preparing reports and other correspondences with limited supervision; and - Must have good verbal, written and basic computer skills.

SECTION 11. Enhancement of Benefits and Incentives for Sanitation

Inspectors. - All accredited and registered sanitation inspectors nationwide who are actively and regularly performing their duties and responsibilities shall be entitied to the following benefits and incentives: 11.1 Hazard Allowance - in an amount to be determined by the local health boards of the concerned LGUs, which in no case shall be less than One Thousand Pesos (P1000.00) per month, subject to existing laws, rules and regulations: 11.2 Subsistence Allowance - equivalent to the meals sanitation inspectors take in the course of their duty, which shall be computed in accordance with prevailing conditions as determined by the LGU concerned, which in no case shall be less than Two Hundred Pesos (P200.00) per day: 11.3 Laundry Allowance - of not less than Five Hundred Pesos (P500.00) per month shall be provided for sanitation inspectors who are required to wear prescribed uniforms regularly; 11.4 Transportation Allowance - of not less than One Thousand Pesos (P1000.00) per month, subject to auditing rules and regulations, on the condition that the utilization of transportation services are in line with the performance of the SI's official duties and responsibilities; 11.5 One-time Gratuity Cash Incentive - of not less than Ten Thousand Pesos (P10,000.00) in recognition of the SI's loyalty and dedication and for having continuously and satisfactorily served for at least ten (10) years; 11.6 Discount Privileges for SIs- All sanitation inspectors shall be entitled to Twenty percent (20%) discount on all the items enumerated under

Section 4(a) of RA No. 9994 (Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010):

Provided, that the privileges shall not be claimed if the SI is eligible for a higher discount as may be granted by the commercial establishment and/or other existing laws. The commercial establishment may claim the discount granted under this section as tax deduction based on the cost of goods sold or services rendered: Provided, that the discount shall be allowed as deduction from the gross income for the same taxable year that the discount is granted:

Provided further, that the total amount of the claimed tax deduction net of VAT, if applicable, shall be included in their gross sales receipt for tax purposes and shall be subject to proper documentation and to the provisions of the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC) of 1997, as amended. 11.7 Training, Education, and Career Enhancement Programs - the DOH shall, in coordination with the Department of Education (DepEd), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), DOH-recognized academic institutions, other concerned agencies and NGOs, provide information on and opportunities for education and career enrichment for accredited and registered SIs, such as the following: a. Educational programs which credit the years of environmental health sanitation service of the sanitation inspectors toward higher education completion in institutions with stepladder curricula, thus allowing them to upgrade their skills and knowledge, or to pursue further trainings as SIs; b. Continuing education, study and exposure tours, grants, field immersions, scholarships; and c. Special training programs relevant to the field of environmental health sanitation. 11.8 Health Benefits - during their incumbency, all Sis are entitied to the following health benefits: a. Free medical care, including surgery and surgical expenses, medicines, x-ray and other laboratory fees, when confined in any public or private hospital, or health institution; b. Compulsory medical examination shall be provided free of charge on an annual basis; c. Emergency assistance not exceeding the amount of Ten Thousand Pesos (P10,000.00) chargeable against the funds of the LGU concerned, for expenses incurred in the nearest private

hospital or clinic in case of extreme emergency where there is no available public hospital; and d. Mandatory and immediate membership in the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (Philhealth) as indirect contributors. 11.9 Insurance Coverage - all sanitation inspectors shall be granted insurance coverage and benefits from the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) which shall be borne by their respective LGUs. For this purpose, the GSIS shall design an insurance benefit package suited to the needs and status of SIs; 11.10 Sick and Maternity Leaves - all sanitation inspectors shall be entitled to sick and maternity leaves as prescribed by the local health boards: Provided, that the SIs shall continue to receive their monthly salaries while on leave, for such period in accordance with existing laws and practices; 11.11 Disability Benefit - all accredited and registered SIs who sustain any injury or sickness in the course of the performance of their duties shall be entitied to Five Thousand Pesos (P5000.00) for every year of service; 11.12 Housing - all SIs who are on tour of duty and who, because of unavoidable circumstances are compelled to stay in a hospital, sanitaria, or health infirmary premises shall be entitled to free living quarters within the said sites, or if such places are not available, shall receive monthly living quarters allowances as may be determined by the Secretary of Health and other appropriate government agencies concerned; 11.13 Leave Benefits - all sanitation inspectors are entitled to paid vacation and sick leaves as provided by prevailing laws and practices; 11.14 Freedom from interference or Coercion - it shall be unlawful for any person to harass or interfere with the discharge of the functions of SIs when these are calculated to intimidate or to prevent the performance of her/his duties and responsibilities; 11.15 Longevity Pay - a monthly longevity pay equivalent to Five percent (5%) of the basic monthiy pay shali be paid to a sanitation inspector for every five years of continuous, efficient and meritorious services

rendered as certified by the head of the provincial, city or municipal health office concerned; 11.16 Free Legal Services- legal representation and consultation services shall be immediately provided by the Public Attorney's Office (PAO) to any accredited and/or registered SI in cases of coercion, interference, and in other civil and criminal cases filed by or against SIs arising out of or in connection with the performance of their duties as such; and 11.17 Preferential Access to Loans - the DOH in coordination with other concerned government agencies shall provide, within One Hundred Eighty (180) days after the effectivity of this Act, a mechanism that shall provide all accredited and/or registered sanitation inspectors organized access to loan services. The agencies providing loan services shall set aside One percent (1%) of their loanable funds for organized SI groups that have community-based income generating projects in support of health programs or activities.

SECTION 12. Occupational Safety and Health Standards. - All public

health workers are promised protection by the State in terms of occupational safety and health (OSH) standards. All sanitation inspectors are equally guaranteed the right to safety and healthful working conditions. These principles are granted to them by PD No. 442 (the Labor Code of the Philippines, as Amended) and by RA No. 11058 (An Act Strengthening Compliance With Occupational Safety and Health Standards and Providing Penalties for Violations Thereof). The following OSH standards (rights and duties), together with other related measures, are confirmed for all SIs: 12.1 The right to be provided with complete job safety orientations and instructions; 12.2 The right to be informed of all possible work hazards and health risks involved; 12.3 The right to be provided with the necessary trainings, first-aid arrangements and medical examinations; i2.4 The right to refuse unsafe work;

12.5 The right to be issued with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE); 12.6 To comply with all occupational safety and health standards in the performance of their regular work; and 12.7 The provincial, city and municipal health offices, plus the local health boards, must adopt and implement further administrative control measures to Vitally prevent and/or minimize sanitation-related work hazards and risks. This includes developing, and improving upon present policies and practices (e.g., additional relief Sis, exercise breaks, rotation of sanitation personnel, first-aid and other emergency responses, good housekeeping, a prior understanding of the establishments to be inspected, etc.).

SECTION 13. Annual Review. - The local health boards shall conduct an

annual review of the existing SI-based programs, performances, as well as their benefits, incentives and allowances taking into consideration the prevailing consumer price index (CPI) as published by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

SECTION 14. Discrimination Prohibited. - Discrimination against any

sanitation inspector by reason of gender, civil status, creed, religious or political beliefs, and ethnicity in the exercise of their functions and responsibilities is hereby prohibited.

SECTION 15. Protection of Sanitation Inspectors. - No accredited and/or

registered sanitation inspector with a legitimate work agreement shall be removed except for a valid cause, as determined by the human resource department of the involved local government unit with due process. The department shall resolve termination cases against SIs judiciously and not later than sixty (60) days from the receipt of a complaint: Provided, that if a SI is found to be unjustly removed from service, the SI shall be entitled to reinstatement without loss of benefits and incentives from the time of termination up to the time of reinstatement.

SECTION 16. Grievance Mechanism. - All local health boards shall establish

a grievance mechanism as a means of processing complaints of SIs against alleged acts of discrimination and unjust removal from the service. The decisions rendered by the LHBs shall be final and executory.

SECTION 17. Municipal, City, Provincial, and National Federation of

SIS. - This Act allows for the organizing of accredited and/or registered SIs into different groups/associations, which they see fit. These organizations are venues to ventilate, articulate, and crystalize issues affecting their work and the environmental health sanitation system in general with utmost regard to servicing the public and ensuring the continuous operation of environmental 7 health services. 8 The SI organizations for municipalities, cities, and provinces shall elect their respective board of directors, and a set of national officers to comprise the national board of directors to be headed by a President. A Secretary-General may be chosen from among the national members to manage the day-to-day operations and activities of the federation. The respective board of directors may create such other positions as may be necessary for the management of the affairs of the national and local organizations. The LGUs are to support these SI organizations by allowing their respective employed and/or contracted SIs to participate in their organization's activities through administrative and financial means.

SECTION 18. Representation in the Local Health Boards, Water

Councils, Social Development Councils, Disaster Risk Reduction Management Councils and others where SIs are necessary so as to fulfill their duties effectively. - The President of the national-level SI federation and/or the authorized representatives of the SI organizations shall become a member of the provincial, city and municipal-level health boards and other related bodies that would need their expert inputs (on environmental health sanitation issues and concerns). The respective presidents/leaders of each SI organization at the city, municipal and provincial levels shall elect from among themselves their representatives to the various bodies that require their representation: Provided, that the SI representatives to these bodies shall not be allowed to vote on the accreditation, registration, and disciplinary or removal complaints of SIs.

SECTION 19. Prohibition from Engaging in Partisan Political Activity.

- No accredited/registered/employed/contracted sanitation inspector shall engage in any partisan political activity.

SECTION 20. Continuous Capacity-building for SIs. - The DOH through

its Center for Health Development (CHD) Regional Offices shall conduct

continuous capacity-building for Sis that will enhance and upgrade their 2 knowiedge and skills (especially on new technologies) to help them innovate 3 and to better fulfill their technical tasks. The trainings can be conducted through various methods, including via online learning and multimedia forms in major 5 Philippine languages. 6 SECTION 21. Penalty Clause. - Any person who shall violate any of the provisions of this Act and its rules and regulations, shall, be penalized by a fine 8 of not less than Fifty Thousand Pesos (P50,000.00) nor more than Five Hundred Thousand Pesos (P500,000.00), or imprisonment of not less than Twelve (12) months nor more than Five (5) years, or both fine and imprisonment at the discretion of the Court. 12 SECTION 22. Funding Provisions. - The amount necessary for the implementation of this Act shall be charged to the National Tax Allotment of the LGUs, other local funds, the special health fund under RA No. 11223 (the Universal Health Care Act), including the General Appropriations Act (GAA) of the year following its enactment into law and thereafter.

SECTION 23. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Both the DOH and

the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) shall, in consultation with the DepEd, CSC, GSIS, and other concerned government agencies and non-government entities, promulgate the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) to implement this Act not later than One Hundred Eighty (180) days from the effectivity of this Act.

SECTION 24. Separability Clause. - If any portion or provision of this Act

is declared invalid or unconstitutional, other provisions hereof shall remain in full force and effect.

SECTION 25. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules

and regulations, which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or amended accordingly.

SECTION 26. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect Fifteen (15) days after

its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 32 Approved,