Movie and Television Review and Classification Board Act

TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session JJ. 10 P6:26 BEN AT F45 S.B. No. INTRODUCED BY SENATOR VICENTE C. SOTTO III AN ACT STRENGTHENING THE MANDATE, CAPABILITIES, AND ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE OF THE MOVIE AND TELEVISION REVIEW AND CLASSIFICATION BOARD (MTRCB) AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR EXPLANATORY NOTE The Philippine movie and television industry is facing a decline marked by decreased film and television production, low ticket sales and viewership, and a struggle to compete with foreign-produced materials, as well as with various internet-based or streaming platforms and entertainment alternatives. As a regulatory body, the MTRCB in addition to reviewing and classifying movies, television programs, publicity materials and advertisements brought before it, must also initiate plans and work together with the industry and other stakeholders. MTRCB to improve, upgrade and make viable the industry as a contributor to the economic recovery program of the government. There is a pressing need to strengthen the mandate of MTRCB's regulatory authority for the protection of the general public, particularly minors, from exposure to harmful and inappropriate content. This is in view of the evolving media landscape and proliferation of digital content. In view thereof, immediate approval of this bill is requested. Whar VICENTE C. SOTTO III

TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES } First Regular Session JUL 10 P6:26 SENATE S.B. No. _ RICEO DUF. INTRODUCED BY SENATOR VICENTE C. SOTTO III AN ACT STRENGTHENING THE MANDATE, CAPABILITIES, AND ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE OF THE MOVIE AND TELEVISION REVIEW AND CLASSIFICATION BOARD (MTRCB) 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 "Movie and

Television Review and Classification Board Act."

Section 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State recognizes the vital role of

the youth in nation-building and shall promote and protect their physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual, and social well-being. The State likewise recognizes the vital role of communication and information in nation-building. The State, as parens patride, recognizes the need to strengthen the mandate of its regulatory authority for the protection of the general public, particularly minors, from exposure to harmful and inappropriate content, in view of the evolving media landscape and proliferation of digital content. The best interests of children and the youth shall be the paramount consideration in all actions concerning them, whether undertaken by public or private social welfare institutions, courts of law, administrative authorities, and legislative bodies, consistent with the principle of First Call for Children, as enunciated in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. Towards this end, it is hereby declared the policy of the State to ensure public safety and moral integrity, and to promote general welfare by effectively regulating and classifying movies, television programs, series, publicity materials, advertisements, and publicly accessible content from subscription video on-demand services.

Section 3. Definition of Terms.. - For purposes of this Act:

(a) Adult refers to any person eighteen (18) years of age or over; (b) Advertisement refers to any form of visual communication produced directly by or on behalf of the advertiser intended primarily to promote or to influence consumer behavior; (c) Board refers to the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board; (d) Children refer to persons below eighteen (18) years of age, or those eighteen (18) years of age or over but are unable to fully care for or protect themselves from abuse, neglect, cruelty, exploitation, or discrimination because of a physical or mental disability or condition; (e) Movie refers to a recording of moving images or a series of pictures presented in rapid succession, with objects shown in successive positions slightly changed to produce the optical effect of a continuous picture in which the objects move, whether the picture be black and white or colored, silent or with accompanying sound, on any medium and projected using any mechanism or equipment preserved in any material or recorded for instant projection, or viewed through subscription video on-demand services (SVODs) or any technology of similar nature presently existing or will be developed or invented in the future; (f) News Report a screen broadcast that delivers information about current events specifically limited to straight and factual reporting, and excludes commentaries; (g) Non-Theatrical Distribution refers to: (1) Public showing of long or short movies through the use of mobile projection equipment not imposing admission fees; or (2) Showing of long or short movies such as films for children, or educational, documentary, cultural, scientific, newsreel, industrial, sales, public relations, or instructional films to private organizations, societies, clubs, and groups; (h) Online Curated Content refers to the digital material that has been carefully selected, gathered, organized, and presented from various

sources intended for a specific purpose or audience, and distributed through websites and social media platforms; (i) Other Public Place refers to an indoor or outdoor area other than a movie theater, whether publicly or privately owned, to which the public have access by right or by invitation, expressed or implied, whether by payment of monetary consideration or not, serving as a place of work or used by the general public such as but not limited to theater lobbies, restaurants, hotels, halls, plazas, bars, cafes and other establishments of similar nature; ) Public Exhibition refers to the act of showing motion pictures, television programs, series, publicity materials, and advertisements, in cinemas, theaters, screen broadcast and other public places such as but not limited to common carriers, theater lobbies, restaurants, hotels, halls, plazas, bars, and other similar places that are open to the general public regardless of monetary consideration or the number of persons present; (k) Publicity Materials and/or Promotional Materials refer to any video and non-video material used to generate public interest in movies, television programs, series, and other related media; (1) Review Session refers to the examination of movies, television programs, series, publicity materials, and advertisement by the BOARD; (m) Series refers to a set or collection of episodes of a program shown at intervals through screen broadcast or subscription video on-demand services; (n) Screen Broadcast refers to any content that is viewed, distributed, or consumed through electronic screens (e.g. smartphones, tablets, televisions, computers, or through hologram or projection display) such as but not limited to movies and television programs, online streaming platforms, social media content, interactive media, digital advertisement and video games; (o) Subscription Video On-Demand Service refers to a type of online video service where users pay a recurring subscription fee, typically monthly or annually, to access a library of movies, television shows, series, and other video content on demand;

(p) Theatrical Distribution refers to public showing and/or exhibition of movies in a cinema, theater, or any other place imposing admission fees for entertainment, education, information, and advertising in all screen broadcasting; and (q) User refers to a person who uses subscription video on-demand service with or without a fee.

Section 4. Name and Existence. - The Movie and Television Review and

Classification Board (MTRCB), hereinafter referred to as the BOARD, a regulatory body under the Office of the President of the Philippines, shall operate under the provisions of the Act. The BOARD shall have its principal office in Metro Manila.

Section 5. Composition; Qualifications; Benefits. - The Board shall be

composed of a Chairperson, a Vice-Chairperson, and thirty (30) members appointed by the President of the Philippines. The Chairperson, the Vice- Chairperson, and the members of the BOARD, shall continue to serve unless removed by the President of the Philippines for any cause. An appointee to the BOARD must be a natural-born citizen of the Philippines, at least twenty-one (21) years of age, of good moral character and standing in the community: Provided, That in the selection of the members of the BOARD, due consideration shall be given to such qualifications as would produce a multi-sectoral combination of expertise in the various aspects of the movie and television industries: Provided, further, That at least five (5) members of the BOARD shall be members of the Philippine Bar: Provided, finally, That at least fifteen (15) members of the BOARD, other than the Chairperson and the Vice-Chairperson, shall come from the movie, television, and on-demand streaming industries. The Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson shall have the rank, salary, rights, privileges, and benefits equivalent to a Department Undersecretary and Department Assistant Secretary, respectively. The thirty (30) members of the Board shall receive allowances and honoraria for each movie, trailer, television program, series, TV plug, advertisement, or publicity material reviewed or classified. Such additional allowances shall be subject to the approval of the President upon the recommendation of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).

Section 6. Compensation of the Members of the Board.

- For performing the core mandate of the BOARD, the Board Members shall receive

compensation equivalent to, at least, two salary grades lower than the salary grade of the Vice-Chairperson: Provided, that they shall be entitled to other allowances and benefits provided under existing laws.

Section 7. Powers and Functions. - The Board shall have the following

functions, powers and duties: (a) Promulgate rules and regulations for the implementation of this Act and the accomplishment of its purposes and objectives, including guidelines and standards for production, advertising, and titles, including, without limitation, the registration of all entities subject to the jurisdiction of the Board in accordance with this Act. Such rules and regulations shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following their publication in a newspaper of general circulation in the Philippines; (b) Screen, review, and examine movies, television programs, series, and publicity materials such as advertisements, trailers, and stills, whether for theatrical or non-theatrical distribution, screen broadcast, public exhibition, or any other technology of similar nature, imported or produced in the Philippines, and in the latter case, whether for local public exhibition or export. For on-demand streaming services, the Board may, if necessary, require a reclassification of the relevant material after showing or streaming, upon the final decision of the Board; (c) Approve, disapprove, and/or prohibit the importation, exportation, production, copying, distribution, sale, lease, exhibition, and / or screen broadcast of movies, television programs, series, and publicity materials for public exhibition subject of the preceding paragraph, which, in the judgment of the BOARD, are contrary to law, good morals, good customs, public order and safety, or public policy; (d) Supervise, regulate, and grant, deny, or cancel permits for the importation, exportation, production, copying, distribution, sale, lease, exhibition, screen broadcast of movies, television programs, series, and publicity materials; (e) Classify movies, television programs, series, and similar shows for public exhibition into categories such as "G" or "For General Patronage" (all ages admitted), "PG" or "Parental Guidance" "R" or "Restricted", "X" or "Not for Public Exhibition," or such other categories as may be determined by the BOARD for the public interest. An existing system by an streaming video on-demand streaming service that provides for a

similar, more particular, or more stringent classification than that imposed by the BOARD shall be sufficient and shall not require further modification. Subscription video on-demand services shall likewise establish a classification system as provided in this Act; (f) Close theaters, movie houses and other similar establishments engaged in the public exhibition of movies and television programs which fail, despite notice, to comply with a written order or warning to cease and desist from engaging in acts that grossly violate the provisions hereof; (g) Levy, assess, collect, and adjust and revise fees, charges, and/or penalties, in relation to the registration of entities, the review and examination, and the issuance of the licenses and permits, which the BOARD is authorized to grant in the exercise of its powers and functions; Provided, that if circumstances so warrant, and subject to the approval of the Board, the Chairperson may waive fees, penalties, surcharges and other impositions; (h) Deputize representatives from the government and from various associations in the movie industry to ensure compliance with all laws relative to the import, export, reproduction, distribution, sale, lease, exhibition, screen broadcast of movies, television programs, series, advertisements, and publicity materials in accordance with Sec. 24 hereof. For this purpose, the BOARD may also constitute Local Regulatory Councils composed of representatives from the government and the movie and television industry as may be appropriate; (i) Initiate the prosecution of violators of this Act and other laws pertinent to the movie, television, screen broadcast and on-line streaming services; i) In the exercise of its quasi-judicial functions, hear and resolve Act and, impose administrative cases against violators of this administrative sanctions in accordance with this Act; (k) The BOARD has the power to issue subpoena ad testificandum or subpoena duces tecum to compel the attendance of witnesses and production of documents and other effects, to cite in contempt persons or entities willfully disregarding its process, and to coordinate with the appropriate government agencies to enforce its decisions and issuances in accordance with Sec. 24 of this Act;

(1) Prescribe the internal and operational procedures for the exercise and performance of its powers, functions, duties and responsibilities, including creating and vesting authority on sub-committees of the BOARD for review and other related matters; (m) Prepare the BOARD's annual budget proposal for submission to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM); (n) Recommend the organizational structure and staffing pattern and establish, fix, review, or revise an appropriate compensation package for the officers and employees of the BOARD, subject to approval by the DBM and review by the Civil Service Commission (CSC); (0) Grant financial assistance to the members of the movie and television industry, former and present members of the Board, and staff, subject to guidelines approved by the Board and pertinent rules and regulations of the Commission on Audit (COA); (p) The BOARD may also require commission any law enforcement agency, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), or other concerned agencies, for assistance in the implementation and enforcement of its decisions, orders or awards; and (q) Exercise such other powers and functions which are necessary or incidental to the attainment of the purposes and objectives of this Act.

Section 8. Obligations of Subscription Video On-Demand Services. —

(a) Register the streaming service with the BOARD, providing comprehensive contact information, including the name of the person or office in charge, email address, landline, mobile numbers, and the physical address in the Philippines. Such information shall be prominently displayed on the service provider's platform or website. (b) Establish and provide informative descriptions, in both English and Filipino, of the ratings and classifications on the content offered to assist users in making informed decisions on their viewing choices; (c) Ensure that appropriate classifications and ratings are prominently displayed not only at the beginning of the movies, television programs, and series but also in publicity materials such as advertisements, trailers, and similar materials to notify users of all the content offered;

(d) Submit to the BOARD a comprehensive list of all the content offered in its service, accompanied by their respective classifications and ratings. (e) Implement appropriate safety measures to allow users or parents of minors to restrict content, control access, view, and change privacy account settings of the service, taking • into consideration the appropriateness of classifications and ratings; (f) Establish a feedback mechanism for users within the on-demand streaming service to determine whether the movie, television program, or series corresponds to the displayed classifications and ratings. The feedback mechanism shall be easily accessible and prominently featured on its platform or website; (g) Establish an effective mechanism to respond promptly to users' complaints or inquiries.

Section 9. Age Verification Protocols. - All online providers of adult

content shall be required to adopt an age verification process. For this purpose, the presentation of any valid government-issued identification exhibiting the user's photograph and age or date of birth shall be required. To protect users' personal information, on-demand streaming platforms shall comply with the provisions of Republic Act No. 10173 or the "Data Privacy Act" ", and ensure that any data collected for age verification is encrypted, securely stored, and used solely for the purposes of this Act.

Section 10. Decision and Appeal. - The decision of the BOARD

approving or disapproving the exhibition of a movie, television program, series, publicity material, and advertisement in the Philippines must be rendered within ten (10) days from submission, counted from the date of receipt by the BOARD of an application for the purpose, together with the movie, television program, series, and other non-video publicity material. For each review session, the Chairperson of the BOARD shall designate a committee composed of three (3) BOARD members to undertake the review. A majority vote shall be required for the approval/ disapproval of any material submitted to it for review. Within five (5) days from receipt of the committee's written decision, the applicant may file a motion for reconsideration to the Chairperson. The Chairperson of the BOARD shall designate a committee of five (5) BOARD members to undertake a second review session.

The Chairperson, the Vice-Chairperson, or a member designated by the 2 Chairperson shall preside over the second review session. Upon a majority vote of all its members present, the committee shall render a decision on behalf of the BOARD, within five (5) days from the receipt of the motion for reconsideration. The decision of the BOARD for the second review shall be in writing, with the factual and legal bases clearly stated. In resolving a complaint, the BOARD shall be guided by compelling state interest that must be protected and shall ensure that the restriction or punishment is narrowly drawn to achieve such end. The decision of the BOARD shall be final, except for a decision disapproving a movie, television program, or series, in its entirety, which shall be appealable to the President of the Philippines, who may decide on the appeal or be assisted either by an ad hoc committee created by the President or by the Appeals Committee herein created. An Appeals Committee in the Office of the President of the Philippines is hereby created, composed of a Chairperson and four (4) members to be appointed by the President of the Philippines. The Office of the Deputy Executive Secretary for Legal Affairs shall serve as the Secretariat of the Appeals Committee. The Appeals Committee shall submit its recommendation to the President, whose decision on an appealed matter shall be final.

Section 11. Chief Executive Officer. - The Chairperson of the BOARD

shall be the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the BOARD and shall exercise the following functions, powers, and duties: (a) Execute, implement, and enforce the decisions, orders, awards, rules, and regulations issued by the BOARD; (b) Direct and supervise the operations and internal affairs of the BOARD; (c) Establish the internal organization and administrative procedures of the BOARD, including recommending the appointment of the necessary administrative and subordinate personnel; and (d) Exercise other powers, functions, and duties not specifically lodged in but authorized by the BOARD. The Chairman and CEO shall be assisted by an Executive Director who shall have the rank, salary, rights, privileges, and benefits equivalent to an Executive Director V and shall hold office for a term of three (3) years unless

sooner removed by the President of the Philippines for cause: Provided, that any appointee shall be eligible for re- appointment.

Section 12. Examination and Review. - Except for members of and

persons specifically authorized by the BOARD, no other person shall be allowed inside the review room during the examination and review of a movie, 7 programs, or publicity material. Before each review session, the distributor or producer shall submit to the BOARD a sworn statement declaring the exact number of prints or digital copies made for a subject picture or material and such other related information as the BOARD may require to complete its examination and review.

Section 13. Prohibited Acts. - The following shall be prohibited under

this act: (a) The public distribution, exhibition, streaming, or causing the public distribution, exhibition or streaming of any movie, television program, series, publicity material, or advertisement which is objectionable under Section 7(c) of this Act, in a movie theater or similar establishments, in free or cable television, or subscription video on- demand services; (b) The public distribution, exhibition, or causing the public distribution or exhibition in any cinema or theater or similar establishment, screen broadcast, of any movie, television program, publicity material or advertisement that has not been reviewed or is different from what was reviewed, classified, and approved by the Board for distribution and exhibition, or which, although previously classified, is covered by an expired, cancelled, or tampered permit; (c) The printing or causing the printing of a label or notice which tends to misrepresent a movie, television program, publicity material, or advertisement as having been officially classified by the BOARD when it has not been so classified; (d) Exhibiting a movie other than what is advertised as showing, even if the film shown has a valid permit; (e) Exhibiting or causing the exhibition in a theater, cinema, or similar establishment, of an old or re-issued movie which has been previously approved by the BOARD, but without the word "re-issue" clearly and boldly stamped in the publicity materials of the said movie; exhibiting, showing, or causing the distribution, (f) Distributing, exhibition, or showing of any movie, television program, series, publicity material, and advertisement that has been disapproved for public

• • exhibition by the BOARD; (g) Failure to verify the age and allowing the admission of a person below the age required by the film's rating and classification as indicated in the "Permit to Exhibit." Cinema or Theater personnel may request for additional identification to validate the age of the person seeking admission; and (h) Failure of subscription video on-demand services in any platform to implement sufficient age verification mechanisms as required under

Section 9 of this Act, or allowing individuals below eighteen (18) years

of age to access restricted content.

Section 14. Posting of Permit to Exhibit. - The movie exhibitors shall

post and/or display or cause the posting and/ or display of the BOARD-issued theatrical permit to exhibit at conspicuous places near the theater entrance or place of exhibition. All cinema advertisements shall state the classification rating of the movie being exhibited or advertised. The classification rating must be displayed at the beginning of the TV program and in any of its publicity materials.

Section 15. Exemption. - Movies, television programs, series, publicity

materials, or advertisements produced, imprinted, or exhibited by the Philippine Government and/or its departments and agencies, and news reports without annotations shall not be under the jurisdiction of the Board.

Section 16. Penalties. -

A. Criminal Penalty. - Any person who violates the provisions of this Act shall, upon conviction by a court of law with competent jurisdiction, be punished by a penalty of three (3) months and one (1) day to one (1) year imprisonment. If the offender is a juridical person, the penalty shall be imposed on the corporation and/or upon its Chairperson, Directors, Partners or Officers responsible for the violation or indispensable to its commission. B. Administrative Penalties. - The BOARD shall impose the following administrative penalties, taking into consideration the gravity of the offense and the frequency of violation committed: 1.) Confiscation of the material/s violative of this Act;

2.) Fine of not less than Fifty thousand pesos (Php50,000.00) but not exceeding Five hundred thousand pesos (Php500,000.00) for: i) Violation of Section 13 of this Act; to admit the BOARD and its authorized ii) Refusal representatives, agencies or officially deputized personnel to cinemas, theaters, and similar establishments; iii) Exhibition, display, or distribution of unapproved still photos, billboards, leaflets, posters, layouts, and photo frames; iv) Incorrect display or non-display of the classification rating in the theater lobby or entrance of cinemas, theaters, and similar establishments; v) Tampering with or falsifying a reviewed material; vi) Tampering with or falsifying a permit to exhibit; and vii) Exportation or importation of movies or television programs, series, publicity materials, and advertisement without a valid permit. 3.) Suspension, non-renewal, or cancellation of the licenses or permits to operate and /or exhibit; 4.) Suspension of television programs; and 5.) Removal of the specific movie, episode, or publicity material from the online catalogue, or the objectionable portion of the subscription video on-demand service found to be in violation of this Act upon the final and executory decision of the Board.

Section 17. Banning of Video and Non-Video Materials. - In the event

that movies, television programs, series, publicity materials, and advertisements after examination and review by the BOARD, is declared unfit for public exhibition in the Philippines, said movies, television programs, series, publicity materials, and advertisements shall be banned for exhibition in the Philippines. The BOARD may direct the subscription video on-demand service to take down content which violates the standards laid down in Section 7(c) hereof.

Section 18. Inspection. - In addition to its powers vested by law, and

35 for the effective enforcement of the provisions of this act, the BOARD or its

1 duly authorized representatives shall have the power to inspect all public exhibitions of any movies, television programs, series, publicity materials, and advertisements in movie houses, theaters and other public establishments, and in any case, upon discovery of any movies, television programs, series, publicity materials, and advertising which, although previously approved by the Board, has been tampered with to introduce any unapproved matter, to immediately seize the article containing or incorporating such unapproved matter and to cause the prosecution of the person(s) responsible for violating existing laws, rules, or regulations. Upon conviction of the violators), the materials seized as well as the other proceeds or instruments of the crime shall be disposed of in accordance with applicable laws.

Section 19. Exemption from Tax, Legal Processes and Lien. - All laws to

the contrary notwithstanding, the Board and all its assets and properties, all fees and charges collected, and all accruals thereto and income or investment earnings therefrom, as well as all supplies, equipment, papers or documents, except those taxes which the BOARD holds as a collecting agent, shall be exempt from any tax assessment, fee, charge, or customs or import duty, and shall not be liable to attachments, garnishments, levy, or seizure by or under any legal or equitable process whatsoever. No tax measure of whatever nature enacted shall apply to the Board, unless it expressly revokes the tax exemption herein granted. Any tax assessment against the Board shall be null and void.

Section 20. Organizational Structure and Staffing Pattern. - The BOARD

shall determine its organizational structure and staffing pattern, subject to the approval of the DBM and consistent with civil service laws, rules, and regulations. It shall have the power to suspend or dismiss any employee for cause and/or approve or disapprove their appointment, transfer, or detail. The Board shall appoint its Secretary, who shall be the official custodian of the records of its meetings of and shall perform other duties and functions directed by the BOARD.

Section 21. Applicability of the Civil Service Law. - The BOARD and its

officers and employees shall be subject to the Civil Service law, rules, and regulations: Provided that technical personnel shall be selected based on merit and fitness in accordance with policies and guidelines approved by the BOARD.

Section 22. Annual Report. - The BOARD shall, within three (3)

43 months after the end of every fiscal year, submit its annual report to the

President of the Philippines. The annual report shall include, among others, a statement of the BOARD's accomplishments, plans, and recommendations to improve and develop its operations and the supervision and regulation of the movie and television industry.

Section 23. Retained Income Fund. - Notwithstanding any provision of

law, rule or regulation, executive or administrative order to the contrary, there is hereby established a Retained Income Fund, to be maintained and administered at all times by the BOARD, and without need of remittance to the National Treasury but subject to existing government auditing rules and regulations. Thirty (30%) percent of the net receipts of all fees, charges, impositions, fines, and/or penalties imposed, levied, assessed and collected shall be allocated as contribution to the operating expenses and capital expenditures of the BOARD. The BOARD shall submit, either in printed form or by way of electronic document, to the DBM, with copies given to the House Committee on Appropriations and the Senate Committee on Finance separate quarterly reports on income of, and expenditure from, this fund. Any disbursement in the subsequent quarters shall be void, except upon certification by the DBM that said report has been submitted.

Section 24. Assistance in the Enforcement Functions of the BOARD. -

The BOARD may solicit the direct assistance of other government agencies and units, and deputize, for a fixed and limited period, the heads or personnel of such agencies and units to perform enforcement functions and shall for such purpose, exercise their functions subject to the BOARD'S direction.

Section 25. Transitory Provision. - The incumbent Chairperson, Vice-

Chairperson, and members of the BOARD shall continue to perform their respective duties and functions until their successors have been appointed and have assumed office.

Section 26. Appropriations. - The amount needed for the initial

implementation of this Act shall be charged against the current year's appropriation of the BOARD. Thereafter, such amount as may be necessary for its continued implementation shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

Section 27. Authority to Use Income. - In addition to the annual

appropriations of the BOARD provided under the Annual General Appropriations Act, the BOARD is hereby authorized to use its income not exceeding the amount of Ninety-Five Million Pesos (PhP 95,000,000.00) a year

1 for a period of five (5) years after the effectivity of this Act to implement the program for full computerization/digitalization of the operations of the BOARD, subject to the usual accounting and auditing requirements.

Section 28. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The BOARD, in

coordination with the DICT, the NTC, the DBM, and the CSC, and upon consultation with relevant stakeholders, shall promulgate the rules and regulations to effectively implement the provisions of this Act.

Section 29. Repealing Clause. - Presidential Decree No. 1986, series of

1985 is hereby repealed. All other laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, letters of instruction, proclamations or administrative regulations that are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.

Section 30. Separability Clause. - If any portion or provision of this

Act is declared invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder thereof not otherwise affected shall remain in force and effect.

Section 31. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after

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