Working Draft of A Proposed Bill For The Autonomous Region of The Cordilleras

WORKING DRAFT AS OF JULY 18, 2019
1 Contents
2 AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE AUTONOMOUS REGION OF THE CORDILLERA (ARC) .................. 2
3 PREAMBLE ......................................................................................................................................... 2
4 ARTICLE I: NAME AND PURPOSE ................................................................................................... 2
5 ARTICLE II: CORDILLERAN IDENTITY AND TERRITORY ................................................................. 2
6 ARTICLE III: DECLARATION OF POLICIES AND PRINCIPLES ..................................................... 23
7 ARTICLE IV: THE AUTONOMOUS REGION OF THE CORDILLERA ............................................ 56
8 A. Powers of the Autonomous Region of the Cordillera .................................................................. 56
9 B. Intergovernmental Relations...................................................................................................... 67
10 ARTICLE V: ELECTIVE OFFICIALS OF THE AUTONOMOUS REGION OF THE CORDILLERA –
11 THEIR QUALIFICATIONS, TERMS OF OFFICE, VACANCIES AND SUCCESSION AND
12 ACCOUNTABILITY ........................................................................................................................ 911
13 ARTICLE VI: THE REGIONAL EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT ........................................................ 1418
14 ARTICLE VII: THE REGIONAL VICE-GOVERNOR .................................................................... 2532
15 ARTICLE VIII: THE REGIONAL LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY .......................................................... 2633
16 ARTICLE IX: PATRIMONY, ECONOMY AND DEVELOPMENT ............................................... 3139
17 ARTICLE X: ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES ..................................................... 3340
18 ARTICLE XI: SOURCES OF REVENUES AND OTHER FISCAL MATTERS ................................. 3745
19 ARTICLE XII: AGRICULTURE, AGRARIAN REFORM, TRADE AND INDUSTRY, TOURISM AND
20 COOPERATIVE ........................................................................................................................... 4150
21 ARTICLE XIII: EDUCATION, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, LANGUAGE, ARTS AND CULTURE
22 AND SPORT ................................................................................................................................. 4453
23 ARTICLE XIV: SOCIAL JUSTICE, HEALTH AND WELFARE ....................................................... 4756
24 ARTICLE XV: PEACE AND ORDER ........................................................................................... 5059
25 ARTICLE XVI: GENERAL PROVISIONS...................................................................................... 5160
26 ARTICLE XVII: PERSONAL, FAMILY, INDIGENOUS AND PROPERTY RELATIONS ................ 5161
27 ARTICLE XVIII: AMENDMENTS OR REVISIONS ........................................................................ 5261
28 ARTICLE XIX: TRANSITORY PROVISIONS ................................................................................. 5262
29 ARTICLE XX: EFFECTIVITY .......................................................................................................... 5565
30
31
Page 1 of 55
1 AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE AUTONOMOUS REGION OF THE CORDILLERA (ARC)

2
3 PREAMBLE
4
5 We, the Cordillerans, imploring the will of the Divine Providence, exercising our
6 fundamental and Constitutional right to self-determination, faithful to the pursuit
7 of our forebears for the defense, protection, conservation and development of
8 our patrimony and cultural heritage, in order to secure for ourselves and our
9 posterity a region of peace and prosperity founded on truth, freedom, justice,
10 love and human solidarity through a Regional Autonomous Government that shall
11 ensure our human rights, our human development, and our active participation
12 as citizens in the affairs of a united Philippine State, do proclaim this Organic Act
13 of the Autonomous Region of the Cordillera.
14
15 ARTICLE I: NAME AND PURPOSE
16
17 Section 1. Name. There is hereby established an autonomous region in the
18 Cordillera to be known as the “Autonomous Region of the Cordillera” (ARC).
19
20 Section 2. Purpose. The purpose of this law is to establish a political entity,
21 provide for its basic structure of government in recognition of the justness
22 and cause of the Cordillerans and to secure their identity and posterity and
23 allow for meaningful governance.
24
25 ARTICLE II: CORDILLERAN IDENTITY AND TERRITORY
26
27 Section 3. Cordilleran Identity. The term Cordilleran shall apply to all citizens
28 of the Philippines who are domiciled within the territory of the Autonomous
29 Region of the Cordillera, provided that, Indigenous Peoples (IPs) shall have
30 the right to retain their distinct indigenous and ethnic identity.
31
32 Section 4. Territory of the Autonomous Region of the Cordillera. The territory
33 of the Autonomous Region of the Cordillera shall consist of the city and
34 provinces that shall vote favorably in the plebiscite called for the ratification
35 of this Organic Act pursuant to Sec. 18, Article X of the Constitution. The
36 area of the plebiscite shall be the provinces of Abra, Apayao, Benguet,
37 Ifugao, Kalinga, Mountain Province, and the chartered City of Baguio.
38
39 ARTICLE III: DECLARATION OF POLICIES AND PRINCIPLES

40
41 Section 5. Integral Part of the Republic. The Autonomous Region of the
42 Cordillera shall remain an integral and inseparable part of the national
43 territory of the Republic as defined by the Constitution and existing laws.
44 The autonomous region shall be governed and administered in
45 accordance with the laws enacted by the Regional Legislative Assembly
46 and by this Organic act.
47
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1 Section 6. Equitable share in the National Budget and Development

2 Assistance. The central government or national government shall provide
3 the autonomous region a proportionate and equitable share in the annual
4 national budget and foreign assisted projects in addition to other financial
5 assistance, support and subsidies to accelerate its development. Whenever
6 the Commission on Audit finds that the internal controls set up in the region
7 are inadequate, it may require pre-audit and shall likewise conduct
8 seminars in the communities concerned explaining the benefits and proper
9 use of the internal revenue allotments.
10
11 Section 7. Self-Governance. In the exercise of their right to genuine
12 autonomy and meaningful self-governance, Cordillerans are free to pursue
13 their political, economic, social and cultural development within the
14 framework of national sovereignty.
15
16 Section 8. Democratic Political System. The Autonomous Region of the
17 Cordillera is a democratic political system allowing the people to
18 participate in the political processes.
19
20 Section 9. Prior and preferential right. Cordillerans shall have prior and
21 preferential right to the natural, material, and fiscal resources of the region,
22 *(without prejudice to the priority rights of Indigenous PeoplesIPs to natural
23 resources within their ancestral domains).
24
25 Section 10. Fundamental Rights and Duties of Cordillerans. The fundamental
26 rights and duties of the people in the autonomous region are those defined
27 in the Constitution and this Organic Act, the Geneva Convention, the
28 United Nations Charter, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of
29 Indigenous Peoples, the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights, as
30 well as those prescribed in the laws, practices, and principles binding upon
31 members of the community of nations, and the Indigenous Peoples Rights
32 Act (IPRA).
33
34 Section 11. Rights to Initiatives, Consultations, Referenda and Plebiscites.
35 Without prejudice to other rights guaranteed by the Constitution, the rights
36 of the people to the autonomous region to initiate measures for the
37 passage, amendment or repeal of regional or local legislation; to be
38 consulted on matters that affect their environment; to call for a referendum
39 on important issues affecting their lives; and, to recall regional or local
40 officials as provided by Republic Act 7160, the Local Government Code of
41 1991, are hereby recognized.
42
43 Section 12. Accountability of Public Officers. The Autonomous Region of the
44 Cordillera, to meet the priority needs and service requirements of its
45 constituents, shall adopt the principles of integrity, transparency and
46 accountability in order to ensure an accountable, efficient and dynamic
47 organizational structure.
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1
2 Section 13. Upholding Human Rights. The Autonomous Region of the
3 Cordillera shall take measures to prevent torture, cruel, inhuman and
4 degrading punishment, illegal detention and extra-judicial killings.
5
6 Section 14. Establishment of Peace Zones. The Autonomous Region of the
7 Cordillera adheres to the policy of peace and shall establish peace zones
8 within the region.
9
10 Section 15. Civilian Government. Governance in the Autonomous Region is
11 the responsibility of the duly constituted civilian government.
12
13 Section 16. Devolution of Powers. The Autonomous Region of the Cordillera
14 shall adopt a policy on local autonomy whereby regional powers shall be
15 devolved to LGUs particularly in areas but not limited to education, health,
16 human resources, science and technology, and people empowerment.
17 Until a law implementing this provision is enacted by the Regional
18 Legislative Assembly, RA 7160, the Local Government Code of 1991, shall
19 continue to apply to all provinces, cities, municipalities, and barangays
20 within the autonomous region.
21
22 The Regional Legislative Assembly may not pass any law to diminish, lessen
23 or reduce the powers, functions, and shares in the internal revenue taxes of
24 the said local government units as provided by RA 7160.
25
26 Section 17. Sustainable Use and Management of Resources. The Autonomous
27 Region of the Cordillera shall share with the national government in the
28 dynamic conservation and protection of natural resources by promoting
29 the sustainable use and management thereof, by adopting the use of
30 environmentally sound and appropriate technology and indigenous
31 knowledge systems in the management of natural resources.
32
33 Section 18. Community Responsive Education. The Autonomous Region of
34 the Cordillera with the active involvement of all educational institutions shall
35 establish a system of education that responds to the needs of the Cordillera
36 communities which respects and promotes indigenous knowledge, core
37 values, systems, institutions, culture and practice; encourages the use of
38 indigenous languages and methods of education; promotes science,
39 innovation and appropriate technology and methodologies that
40 encourage creative and critical thinking of the Cordillerans.
41
42 Section 19. Protection and empowerment of the Cordilleran youth, children
43 and women. The Autonomous Region of the Cordillera shall formulate plans
44 and programs for the youth, children and women that empowers them by
45 guaranteeing their effective participation and representation in all aspects
46 of public affairs. Further, laws shall be enacted and measures adopted to
47 protect the youth, children and women against all forms of neglect, cruelty,
Page 4 of 55
1 and exploitation which are harmful to their moral, physical, or mental

2 health.
3
4 Section 20. Regional Arrangements. The Autonomous Region of the Cordillera
5 shall pursue a policy of interregional development planning, coordination
6 and mutual cooperation in order to sustain the use, development as well
7 as the protection and conservation of its resources which benefits other
8 regions.
9
10 Section 21. Equal Access and non-discrimination. The Autonomous Region of
11 the Cordillera shall ensure equal access by Cordillerans to resources,
12 employment opportunities and services regardless of ethnic origin, gender,
13 language, political conviction, economic, social status and/ or religious
14 belief.
15
16 Section 22. Social Justice. The Autonomous Region of the Cordillera shall
17 minimize disparities between the rich and the poor, rural and urban areas
18 within the region by providing, maintaining and ensuring the equitable
19 allocation and distribution of resources for the delivery of basic services
20 such as but not limited to: responsive health programs, accessible and
21 quality education, livelihood opportunities, infrastructure projects, natural
22 resource development, and other appropriate services.
23
24 Section 23. Safeguards on foreign investments. The Autonomous Region of
25 the Cordillera shall provide incentives to investors, corporations and other
26 businesses, but shall adopt measures to prevent the abuse of human rights
27 and Indigenous PeoplesIP rights in the exploration of natural resources. To
28 this end, the regional government through its regional legislative assembly
29 shall adopt local and international safeguards to review and audit the
30 impact of all forms of foreign aid, loans special projects and the like.
31
32 Section 24. Promotion of unity. The Autonomous Region of the Cordillera shall
33 promote unity, peace, justice and goodwill among Cordillerans as well as
34 encourage just and peaceful settlement of disputes.
35
36 ARTICLE IV: THE AUTONOMOUS REGION OF THE CORDILLERA
37
38 A. Powers of the Autonomous Region of the Cordillera
39 Section 25. Powers and Functions. The Autonomous Region of the Cordillera
40 shall exercise powers and functions necessary for the proper governance
41 and development of all provinces, cities, municipalities, and barangays
42 within the autonomous region consistent with the declared constitutional
43 policy on regional and local autonomy and decentralization: Provided,
44 that nothing in this Act shall be construed as to authorize the diminution of
45 the powers and functions already enjoyed by local government units.
46
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1 Section 26. Powers of the Autonomous Region of the Cordillera. The

2 autonomous region shall exercise both governmental and corporate
3 powers with jurisdiction over all matters devolved to it by the Constitution
4 and this Organic Act as herein enumerated:
5 (1) Administrative organization;
6 (2) Creation of sources of revenues;
7 (3) Ancestral domain and natural resources;
8 (4) Personal, family and property relations;
9 (5) Regional urban and rural planning development;
10 (6) Economic, social and tourism development;
11 (7) Educational policies;
12 (8) Preservation and development of the cultural heritage; and
13 (9) Such other matters as may be authorized by law for the promotion of
14 the general welfare of the people of the region.
15
16 Section 27. The Autonomous Region of the Cordillera shall have the power to
17 engage in economic enterprises by itself or in partnership with other entities,
18 including Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples who own
19 the ancestral domains.
20
21 Section 28. The Autonomous Region of the Cordillera shall have the power of
22 eminent domain.
23
24 Section 29. Management of ODA Funds, Programs and Projects. The
25 autonomous region may, upon authority of the Regional Legislative
26 Assembly, avail of Official Development Assistance (ODA)-funded projects
27 and other foreign financial grants or donations and shall undertake these
28 projects through the regional line agencies, government-owned and
29 controlled corporations (GOCCs), state colleges and universities, local
30 government units or whichever is deemed appropriate.
31 B. Intergovernmental Relations
32 Section 30. General Supervision. The President shall exercise general

33 supervision over the Autonomous Region of the Cordillera to ensure that
34 laws are faithfully executed.1
35
36 Section 31. Powers of the regional governor over the line agencies. The
37 regional governor shall exercise supervision over the devolved regional line
38 agencies under section 26 of this Organic Act.
39
40 Section 32. Powers of devolved line agencies and regional offices under Sec
41 26. Devolved Line Agencies and regional offices shall perform those
42 functions devolved by the Constitution to autonomous regions as
43 enumerated in Section 26 of this Organic Act. Their annual budgets shall be
1
Deleted contents
Page 6 of 55
1 incorporated in the general budget of the Autonomous Region of the

2 Cordillera.
3
4 Existing assets and properties of the regional line agencies and offices shall
5 remain under their custody and accountability.
6 a. Rights of Personnel of Devolved Agencies

7 Regional line agency officials and employees shall continue to be paid
8 in accordance with Section 115. There shall be no diminution of their
9 compensation and other benefits due its officials and employees. The
10 officials and employees shall enjoy security of tenure and non-
11 diminution of benefits.
12 b. The Role of National Government

13 The National Government shall provide funding and support to
14 devolved line agencies and regional offices.
15
16 Section 33. Powers of Regional Line Agencies whose Functions are not
17 Devolved. The Regional Line Agencies whose functions are not devolved
18 shall continue to exist without diminution of their mandated authority and
19 perform their functions. They shall coordinate with the regional government
20 and its component Local Government Units on matters affecting the
21 region.2
22
23 Section 34. Priority in Hiring. Civil service officials and employees of the
24 regional autonomous government and the regional line agencies in the
25 autonomous region shall be hired in accordance with appropriate Civil
26 Service rules and regulations, but priority shall be accorded to qualified
27 Cordillerans.
28
29 Section 35. Appointment to Third Level Positions. The Regional Governor shall
30 fill up third level positions from among at least three (3) recommendees of
31 the regional Personnel Selection Board (PSB) that shall be duly constituted.
32 Filling up of third level positions of regional line agencies and offices shall
33 be subject to the Career Executive Service Board (CESB) requirements,
34 where applicable. Otherwise, the selection requirements of the concerned
35 agency shall apply. Filling up of vacant regional director and assistant
36 regional director positions of regional line agencies and offices in the
37 autonomous region shall follow the existing screening procedure of the
38 concerned agency or office and the guidelines provided by the career
39 executive service board (CESB). The regional governor shall recommend a
40 minimum of three (3) applicants from those who applied and who were
41 screened from whom the president shall select and appoint. Regional
42 directors posted in the autonomous region shall be as equally qualified like
43 those in other regions for promotion to higher positions in the various
44 departments, line agencies and offices of the national government.
2
GOCC’s deleted
Page 7 of 55
1
2 Section 36. Autonomy of Local Government Units. The local government units
3 shall continue to be independent from each other and shall have the same
4 set of local officials and employees and shall enjoy autonomy and continue
5 to exercise the powers granted them under the Local Government Code
6 and other existing laws. The Local Government Code shall apply to all
7 provinces, cities, municipalities and barangays in the autonomous region
8 until the Regional Legislative Assembly shall enact a regional Local
9 Government Code. Nothing herein provided shall be construed in any
10 manner as to diminish the powers and functions as well as benefits and
11 privileges already being enjoyed by the local government units.
12
13 Section 37. Revenues and Taxes accruing to LGUs. Revenues, taxes, fees and
14 charges generated by the local government units and the Autonomous
15 Region of the Cordillera from their respective local tax ordinances shall
16 exclusively accrue to them.
17
18 Section 38. Just share in National Taxes. The local government units in the
19 autonomous region, including the Autonomous Region of the Cordillera,
20 shall have a just share in the national taxes and applicable revenues which
21 shall be automatically released to them.
22
23 Section 39. Equitable Share in Utilization of Resources. The local
24 government units in the autonomous region including the Autonomous
25 Region of the Cordillera shall be entitled to an equitable share in the
26 proceeds of the utilization and development of the national wealth within
27 their respective areas, in the manner provided by law and this Organic Act.
28
29 Section 40. City Charters. Any chartered city within the autonomous region
30 shall be governed primarily by its Charter.
31
32 Section 41. Creation of special political subdivisions. Special metropolitan
33 political subdivisions may, by law, be created by the Regional Legislative
34 Assembly, subject to a plebiscite. The component cities and municipalities
35 shall retain their basic autonomy and shall be entitled to their own local
36 executive and legislative bodies. The jurisdiction of the metropolitan
37 authority that will thereby be created shall be limited to basic services
38 requiring coordination.
39
40 Section 42. Right of LGU’s to aggregate. The local government units in the
41 autonomous region may group themselves, consolidate or coordinate their
42 efforts, services, and resources for purposes commonly beneficial to them
43 in accordance with law.
44
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1 ARTICLE V: ELECTIVE OFFICIALS OF THE AUTONOMOUS REGION OF THE

2 CORDILLERA –THEIR QUALIFICATIONS, TERMS OF OFFICE, VACANCIES AND
3 SUCCESSION AND ACCOUNTABILITY
4
5 Section 43. Elective Officials. The elective officials of the Autonomous
6 Region of the Cordillera are the (a) Regional Governor, (b) Regional Vice-
7 Governor, and (c) Members of the Regional Legislative Assembly.
8
9 Section 44. Qualifications
10 a. Candidates for Regional Governor and Vice-Governor positions must be

11 a citizen of the Philippines and a Cordilleran, at least thirty-five (35) years
12 of age on election day, a registered voter in the region and a resident
13 thereof for a period of at least five (5) years immediately preceding the
14 day of election, able to read and write Filipino or English or any 2 other
15 local languages in the region.
16 b. Candidates for the position of Member of the Regional Legislative
17 Assembly must be a citizen of the Philippines and a Cordilleran, at least
18 thirty (30) years of age on election day, a registered voter in the
19 provincial district or city and a resident thereof for a period of at least
20 five (5) years immediately preceding the day of election, able to read
21 and write Filipino or English or any other local language in the region.
22 Section 45. Disqualifications. The following persons are disqualified from

23 running for any elective local position.
24
25 a. Those sentenced by final judgment for an offense involving moral
26 turpitude or for an offense punishable by one (1) year or more of
27 imprisonment, within two (2) years after serving sentence;
28
29 b. Those removed from office as a result of an administrative case;
30
31 c. Those convicted by final judgement for violating the oath of allegiance
32 to the Republic;
33
34 d. Those with dual citizenship;
35
36 e. Fugitives from justice in criminal or non-political cases here or abroad;
37
38 f. Permanent residents in a foreign country or those who have acquired
39 the right to reside abroad and continue to avail of the same right after
40 the effectivity of this Code;
41
42 g. The insane or feeble-minded; and,
43
44 h. Candidates for Regional Governor, Vice-Governor and members of the
45 Regional Legislative Assembly must not be related to the incumbent
46 elected regional officials within the 2nd degree of consanguinity or
47 affinity.
48
Page 9 of 55
1
2
3 Section 46. Manner of Election
4 a. The Regional Governor and Vice-Governor shall be elected at large by

5 direct vote of the registered voters of the Autonomous Region of the
6 Cordillera. *(Alternate proposal: The regional governor shall be elected
7 from among the members of the regional legislative assembly and on
8 rotation basis.)
9
10 b. Each province and city shall elect their own representatives to the
11 Regional Legislative Assembly. Any chartered city in the autonomous
12 region is entitled to two (2) representatives to the Regional Legislative
13 Assembly. Any component city shall be entitled to one (1)
14 representative. Each province shall be entitled to two (2)
15 representatives, one (1) per provincial district. Provided, that any
16 political subdivision created after the effectivity of this Organic Act shall
17 be entitled to representation to the Regional Legislative Assembly as
18 may be provided by law. *(Alternate proposal: Component cities shall
19 not have a representative in the regional legislative assembly)
20
21 c. Unless otherwise provided, the regular election of the Regional
22 Governor, Vice Governor, and members of the Regional Legislative
23 Assembly shall be held on the second Monday of May.
24
25 Section 47. Term of Office
26 a. The term of office of all elective regional officials elected after the
27 effectivity of this Organic Act shall be three (3) years which shall begin
28 at noon on the 30thday of June next following the day of election and
29 shall end at noon of the same date three (3) years thereafter. No
30 Regional Governor, Vice-Governor, or Member of the Regional
31 Legislative Assembly shall serve for more than three (3) consecutive
32 terms.
33
34 b. Voluntary renunciation of, or removal from, office for any length of time
35 shall not be considered as an interruption in the continuity of the service
36 for the full term for which officials were elected.
37 Section 48. Oath of Office. The Regional Governor, Vice-Governor and

38 Members of the Regional Legislative Assembly assuming office shall take
39 the following oath or affirmation:
40 “I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully and conscientiously

41 fulfill my duties as Governor/Vice-Governor/Member of the Regional
42 Legislative Assembly of the Autonomous Region of the Cordillera,
43 preserve and defend the Constitution of the Republic of the
44 Philippines and the Organic Act of the Autonomous Region of the
45 Cordillera, execute these laws, do justice to all and consecrate
Page 10 of 55
1 myself to the service of the nation and the Autonomous Region of

2 the Cordillera. So help me God.” (In case of affirmation, the last
3 sentence will be omitted.)
4 Section 49. Prohibitions
5 a. The Regional Governor and Vice-Governor shall not, during their tenure,
6 engage in the practice of any profession or hold any other office or
7 employment, except as otherwise provided in this Act.
8
9 b. The spouse and other relatives by consanguinity or affinity within the
10 fourth civil degree of the Regional Governor and the Regional Vice-
11 Governor shall not, during their tenure, be appointed officers or
12 employees of the Autonomous Region of the Cordillera, except as
13 members of their confidential staff.
14
15 c. No members of the Regional Legislative Assembly may hold any other
16 office or employment in the government or any subdivision, agency or
17 instrumentality thereof, including government-owned or controlled
18 corporations, or their subsidiaries, during their term without forfeiting their
19 seat. Neither shall he/she be appointed to any office which has been
20 created or the emoluments whereof increased by the Regional
21 Legislative Assembly during the term for which he/she was elected.
22
23 d. The Regional Governor, and Regional Vice-Governor, and members of
24 the Regional Legislative Assembly shall not personally appear as counsel
25 before any court of justice or before the Electoral Commission or quasi-
26 judicial and other administrative bodies.
27
28 e. The Regional Governor, Regional Vice-Governor, and members of the
29 Regional Legislative Assembly shall not participate directly or indirectly
30 in any contract with or in any franchise or special privilege granted by
31 the Autonomous Region of the Cordillera or any subdivision, agency or
32 instrumentality thereof, including any government-owned or–controlled
33 corporations or in any of their subsidiaries. They shall not intervene in any
34 matter before any office of the Autonomous Region of the Cordillera for
35 their pecuniary benefit or where they may be called upon to act on
36 account of their office.3
37
38 Section 50. Vacancies and Succession
39 a. In the event that the position of the Regional Governor becomes

40 permanently vacant, the Regional Vice-Governor shall automatically
41 become the Regional Governor.
42
3
Deleted letter f.
Page 11 of 55
1 b. If the position of the Regional Vice-Governor becomes permanently

2 vacant, the member of the assembly garnering the highest percentage
3 of votes in the district represented shall become the vice-governor or in
4 case of his/her permanent disability, the next higher shall assume said
5 position.
6
7 c. In case of a permanent vacancy in the assembly where automatic
8 succession does not apply, the Regional Governor shall appoint to the
9 position so vacated the nominee of the political party to which the
10 member who caused the vacancy belonged at the time of his election.
11 Provided, however, that the appointee has all the qualifications and
12 none of the disqualifications as provided by this Organic Act. Provided,
13 that should the one causing the vacancy did not belong to any political
14 party shall be filled by nomination by majority members of the assembly.
15 Provided further, that in both cases, he/she comes from the same district
16 represented by the member who caused the vacancy.
17
18 d. For purposes of this article, a permanent vacancy arises when the
19 incumbent elective official concerned dies, voluntarily resigns, is
20 removed from office, fills up a higher vacant office, refuses to assume
21 office, fails to qualify, or is otherwise permanently incapacitated to
22 exercise the powers and discharge the functions of his office.
23
24 Section 51. Temporary Vacancies
25 a. When the Regional Governor is temporarily incapacitated to perform his

26 duties for physical or legal reasons such as, but not limited to, leave of
27 absence, travel abroad, and suspension from office, the regional vice
28 governor shall automatically exercise the powers and perform the duties
29 and functions of the former except the power to appoint, suspend or
30 dismiss employees which can only be exercised if the period of
31 temporary incapacity exceeds thirty (30) working days.
32
33 b. Said temporary incapacity shall terminate upon submission to the
34 Regional Legislative Assembly of a written declaration by the Regional
35 Governor that he has reported back to office. In cases where the
36 temporary incapacity is due to legal causes, the regional official
37 concerned shall also submit necessary documents showing that said
38 legal causes no longer exist.
39
40 c. When the incumbent Regional Governor is traveling within the country
41 but outside his territorial jurisdiction for a period not exceeding three (3)
42 consecutive days, he may designate in writing, the officer-in-charge of
43 the said office. Such authorization shall specify the powers and functions
44 that the regional official concerned shall exercise except the power to
45 appoint, suspend or dismiss employees.
46
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1 d. In the event, however, that the Regional Governor concerned fails or

2 refuses to issue such authorization, the Regional Vice-Governor shall
3 have the right to assume the powers, duties and functions of the said
4 office on the fourth (4th) day of absence of the Regional Governor,
5 subject to the limitations provided in subsection c, hereof.
6
7 e. Except as provided above, the Regional Governor shall in no case
8 authorize any regional official to assume the powers, duties and
9 functions of the office, other than the Regional Vice-Governor or the
10 highest ranking Member of the Regional Legislative Assembly, as the
11 case may be.
12
13 Section 52. Temporary Vacancy in the Office of the Regional Vice Governor.
14 When the regional vice-governor is temporarily incapacitated to perform his
15 duties due to physical or legal reasons such as, but not limited to, leave of
16 absence, travel abroad, and suspension from office, the highest ranking
17 member of the Regional Legislative Assembly or, in case of his inability, the
18 second highest ranking member of the Regional Legislative Assembly shall
19 be designated by the Regional Governor with the recommending approval
20 of the majority of all members of the Regional Legislative Assembly.
21
22 Section 53. Other Temporary Vacancy in the Autonomous Region of the
23 Cordillera. Where despite the application of the modes of succession as
24 provided in the above sections or for reasons which render the said modes
25 of succession inapplicable, there remain vacancies in certain regional
26 elective positions, which may effectively hamper the operations of the office
27 or LGU concerned, the Regional Governor shall appoint or designate the
28 qualified person.
29
30 Section 54. Approval of Leaves of Absence
31 Leaves of absence of elective officials of the Autonomous Region of the

32 Cordillera shall be approved as follows:
33 a. Leaves of absence of regional officials, provincial governor, mayor of a

34 highly urbanized city or an independent component city shall be
35 approved by the Regional Governor or his duly authorized representative;
36
37 b. Applications for leaves of absence of other officials and employees other
38 than those enumerated above shall follow those stipulated in the Local
39 Government Code;
40
41 c. Application for leave of the Regional Governor shall be approved by the
42 President.
43
44 Section 56.Section 55. Compensation
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1 a. Unless otherwise provided by law or regional ordinance, the Regional

2 Governor and Regional Vice-Governor shall receive an annual salary
3 equivalent to that of a department secretary and undersecretary,
4 respectively, of the national government, which shall not be decreased
5 during their tenure. No increase in the salary of the Regional Governor
6 and Regional Vice-Governor shall take effect until after the expiration of
7 the term of the Regional Governor and Regional Vice-Governor
8 approving the same.
9 b. Unless otherwise provided by a regional ordinance, a member of the
10 Regional Legislative Assembly shall receive an annual salary not lower
11 than that of an assistant secretary of the national government. No
12 increase in salary provided for by ordinance shall take effect until after
13 the expiration of the term of office of all members of the Regional
14 Legislative Assembly approving the same.
15
16 c. They shall not receive during their tenure any other emoluments from the
17 government or any other sources.
18
19 Section 57.Section 56. Accountability
20 a. Disclosure. All regional officials shall, upon their assumption of office,

21 make a full disclosure of their financial and business interests, including
22 those of their spouses and unmarried children under eighteen (18) years
23 of age living in their households. Members of the Regional Legislative
24 Assembly shall notify the Regional Legislative Assembly of any potential
25 conflict of interest that may arise from the filing of measures of which
26 they are authors. This section shall be governed by R.A. 6713 or the Code
27 of conduct and ethical standards for public officials and employees.
28
29 b. Discipline of Regional Elective Officials shall be governed by Chapter 4,
30 Title Two of Book I of R.A 7160 and other applicable laws.
31
32 c. Recall. Regional Elective Officials may be recalled on grounds and

33 procedures as provided for by Chapter 5, Title Two of Book I of R.A. 7160,
34 and until the passage of aother applicable laws regional government
35 code.
36
37 ARTICLE VI: THE REGIONAL EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT

38
39 Section 58.Section 57. Executive Authority. The executive power in the region
40 shall be vested in a Regional Governor. He shall exercise such powers and
41 perform such duties and functions as provided by this Organic Act and other
42 laws.
43
44 Section 59.Section 58. Scope of Executive Authority. As chief executive of the
45 Autonomous Region of the Cordillera, the Regional Governor shall exercise
Page 14 of 55
1 control and supervision over all programs, projects, services and activities of
2 the Autonomous Region of the Cordillera and regional line agencies and
3 offices absorbed by the Autonomous Region of the Cordillera; and supervision
4 over local government units within the autonomous region.
5
6 Section 60.Section 59. Extent of Representation by Regional Governor. The
7 Regional Governor shall represent the Autonomous Region of the Cordillera,
8 including the absorbed regional line agencies and offices and the local
9 government units within the autonomous region in Cabinet meetings called by
10 the President and other affairs involving the region.
11
12 Section 61.Section 60. Regional Governor and Regional Legislative Assembly.
13 The Regional Governor shall deliver the State of the Region Address to the
14 Regional Legislative Assembly at the opening of its regular sessions. He/she
15 may also appear before it at any time.
16
17 Section 62.Section 61. Regional Governor to submit Budget. The Regional
18 Governor shall submit to the Regional Legislative Assembly within thirty (30)
19 days from the opening of every regular session, as the basis of the regional
20 appropriations bill, budget of expenditures and sources of financing, including
21 receipts from existing and proposed revenue measures.
22
23 Section 63.Section 62. Administrative Support. The Regional Governor and the
24 different regional departments shall have sufficient administrative and support
25 staff to efficiently and effectively carry out their mandates and the purposes
26 of the Autonomous Region of the Cordillera.
27
28 Section 64.Section 63. Mandatory Staff. The regional autonomous government
29 shall have the following mandatory staff: (1) Regional Executive Secretary, (2)
30 Regional Accountant, (3) Regional Budget Officer, (4) Regional Administrator,
31 (5) Regional Legal Officer, (6) Regional Treasurer, (7) Regional General Services
32 Officer and (8) Regional Planning and Development Officer. In addition,
33 thereto, the Regional Governor may, subject to the approval of the Regional
34 Legislative Assembly and availability of funds, create other offices deemed
35 necessary.
36 The Regional Executive Secretary and the heads of the various regional
37 offices and employees under the executive department shall be
38 appointed by the Regional Governor. The appointment of the heads of Formatted: Font color: Text 1
39 regional offices requires the concurrence of the majority of the members of
40 the Regional Legislative Assembly and compliance to civil service law, rules
41 and regulations and this Organic Act. The Regional Legislative Assembly
42 shall act on said appointment within fifteen (15) days from the date of
43 submission otherwise the same shall be deemed confirmed.
44 The rank and salary grade level of the heads of the different regional
45 departments shall be equivalent to the regional directors of regional line
Page 15 of 55
1 agencies. They shall receive compensation, allowances and other

2 emoluments and benefits allowed by law or ordinance. With the exception
3 of the Regional Executive Secretary, the heads of the regional departments
4 shall be mandatory.
5 The qualifications of regional appointive officials, their duties and functions,

6 are as follows:
7 (1) Regional Executive Secretary
8 a. The Regional Executive Secretary of the Autonomous Region of the

9 Cordillera shall be a citizen of the Philippines and a Cordilleran, of
10 good moral character, a holder of a college degree preferably in
11 law, administration or any other related course from a recognized
12 college or university. He/she must have acquired experience in
13 management work for at least five (5) years.
14
15 b. The term of office of the Regional Executive Secretary shall be co-
16 terminus with that of the appointing authority.
17
18 c. The Regional Executive Secretary shall, subject to the control and
19 supervision of the Regional Governor, carry out the functions and
20 duties delegated to him/her and shall:
21 1. Directly assist the Regional Governor in the management of the
22 affairs pertaining to the Autonomous Region of the Cordillera.
23 2. Implement directives, orders and decisions.
24 3. Decide, for and in behalf of the Regional Governor, matters not
25 requiring personal attention of the Regional Governor.
26 4. Exercise supervision and control over the various units in the Office
27 of the Regional Governor including their internal administrative
28 requirements.
29 5. Exercise supervision, in behalf of the Regional Governor, over the
30 various agencies under the Office of the Regional Governor.
31 6. Provide overall coordination in the operation of the Regional
32 Executive Office.
33 7. Determine and assign matters to the appropriate units in the
34 Office of the Regional Governor.
35 8. Have administrative responsibility for matters in the Office of the
36 Regional Governor coming from the various regional offices and
37 agencies of government.
38 9. Exercise primary authority to sign papers "By authority of the
39 Regional Governor", attest executive orders and other issuances
40 unless attestation is specifically delegated to other officials by him
41 or by the Regional Governor.
42 10. Determine, with the approval of the Regional Governor, the
43 appropriate assignment of offices not placed by law under any
44 specific regional executive department.
Page 16 of 55
1 11. Provide consultative, research, fact-finding and advisory service

2 to the Regional Governor.
3 12. Assist the Regional Governor in the performance of functions
4 pertaining to legislation.
5 13. Assist the Regional Governor in the administration of special
6 projects.
7 14. Take charge of matters pertaining to protocol in the Autonomous
8 Region of the Cordillera and ceremonial functions.
9 15. Provide secretarial and clerical services for the Regional Governor
10 and other bodies.
11 16. Promulgate such rules and regulations necessary to carry out the
12 objectives, policies and functions of the Office of the Regional
13 Governor.
14 17. Perform such other functions as the Regional Governor may
15 direct.
16
17 (2) Regional Accountant
18 a. The Regional Accountant shall be a citizen of the Philippines and a

19 Cordilleran, of good moral character, and a certified public
20 accountant. He/she must have acquired experience in the treasury
21 or accounting service for at least five (5) years.
22 b. The incumbent chief accountant in the office of the treasurer shall
23 be given preference in the appointment to the position of the
24 regional accountant.
25
26 c. The regional accountant shall take charge of both the accounting
27 and internal audit services of the autonomous region and shall:
28 1. Install and maintain an internal audit system in the autonomous
29 region.
30 2. Prepare and submit financial statements to the Regional
31 Governor and to the Regional Legislative Assembly.
32 3. Apprise the Regional Legislative Assembly and other government
33 officials on the financial condition and operations of the
34 autonomous region.
35 4. Certify to the availability of budgetary allotment to which
36 expenditures and obligations may be properly charged.
37 5. Review supporting documents before preparation of vouchers to
38 determine completeness of requirements.
39 6. Prepare statements of cash advances, liquidation, salaries,
40 allowances, reimbursements and remittances pertaining to the
42 7. Prepare statements of journal vouchers and liquidation of the
43 same and other adjustments related thereto.
44 8. Post individual disbursements to the subsidiary ledger and index
45 cards.
Page 17 of 55
1 9. Maintain individual ledgers for officials and employees of the

2 autonomous region pertaining to payrolls and deductions.
3 10. Record and post in index cards details of purchased furniture,
4 fixtures, and equipment, including disposal thereof, if any.
5 11. Account for all issued requests for obligations and maintain and
6 keep all records and reports related thereto.
7 12. Prepare journals and the analysis of obligations and maintain and
8 keep all records and reports related thereto.
9 13. Exercise such other powers and perform such other duties and
10 functions as may be provided by law or ordinance.
11
12 (3) Regional Budget Officer
13 a. The Regional Budget Officer shall be a citizen of the Philippines and a

14 Cordilleran, of good moral character, a holder of a college degree
15 preferably in accounting, economics, public administration or any
16 related course from a recognized college or university, and a first grade
17 civil service eligible or its equivalent.
18
19 b. He/she must have acquired experience in government budgeting for at
20 least five (5) years.
21
22 c. The budget officer shall take charge of the budget office and shall:
23 1. Prepare forms, orders, and circulars embodying instructions on
24 budgetary and appropriation matters for the signature of the
25 Regional Governor;
26 2. Review and consolidate the budget proposals of different
27 departments and offices of the Autonomous Region of the Cordillera;
28 3. Assist the Regional Governor in the preparation of the budget and
29 during budget hearings;
30 4. Study and evaluate budgetary implications of proposed legislation
31 and submit comments and recommendations thereon;
32 5. Submit periodic budgetary reports to the Department of Budget and
33 Management;
34 6. Coordinate with the treasurer, accountant, and the planning officer
35 for the purpose of budgeting;
36 7. Assist the Regional Legislative Assembly in reviewing the approved
37 budgets of the provincial and highly urbanized cities;
38 8. Coordinate with the regional planning officer in the formulation of
39 the regional development plan; and
41 functions as may be prescribed by law or ordinance.
42
43 (4) Regional Administrator
44 a. The Regional Administrator shall be a citizen of the Philippines and a

45 Cordilleran, of good moral character, and a holder of a college degree
Page 18 of 55
1 preferably in law, public administration or any other related course from

2 a recognized college or university. He/she must have acquired
3 experience in management and administration work for at least five (5)
4 years.
5
6 b. The term of office of the Regional Administrator shall be
7 coterminuscoterminous with that of the appointing authority.
8
9 c. Subject to the control and supervision of the Regional Governor, the
10 Regional Administrator shall:
11 1. Develop plans and strategies and upon approval thereof by the
12 Regional Governor, implement the same particularly those which
13 have to do with the management and administration-related
14 programs and projects which the Regional Governor is empowered
15 to implement and which the Regional Legislative Assembly is
16 empowered to provide for under this Organic Act.
17 2. Assist in the coordination of the work of all the officials of the
18 autonomous region, under the supervision, direction, and control of
19 the Regional Governor, and for this purpose, he may convene the
20 chiefs of offices and other officials of the autonomous region.
21 3. Establish and maintain a sound personnel program for the
22 autonomous region designed to promote career development and
23 uphold the merit principle in the local government service.
24 4. Conduct a continuing organizational development of the
25 autonomous region with the end in view of instituting effective
26 administrative reforms.
27 5. Be in the frontline of the delivery of administrative support services,
28 particularly those related to the situations during and in the aftermath
29 of man-made and natural disasters and calamities.
30 6. Recommend to the Regional Legislative Assembly and advise the
31 Regional Governor, as the case may be, on all other matters relative
32 to the management and administration of the regional autonomous
33 government.
35 functions as may be 15 prescribed by law or by ordinance.
36
37 (5) Regional Legal Officer
38 a. The Regional Legal Officer shall be a citizen of the Philippines and a

39 Cordilleran, of good moral character, and a member of the Philippine
40 Bar. He must have practiced his profession or at least five (5) years.
41
42 b. The term of office of the Regional Legal Officer shall be coterminous with
43 that of the appointing authority.
44
Page 19 of 55
1 c. The Regional Legal Officer, the chief legal counsel of the regional
2 autonomous government, shall take charge of the office of legal
3 services and shall:
4 1. Formulate measures for the consideration of the Regional Legislative
5 Assembly and provide legal assistance and support to the Regional
6 Governor, as the case may be, in carrying out the delivery of basic
7 services and provisions of adequate facilities necessary.
9 Regional Governor, as the case may be, implement the same,
10 particularly those which have to do with programs and projects
11 related to legal services which the Regional Governor is empowered
12 to implement and which the Regional Legislative Assembly is
13 empowered to provide for under this Organic Act.
14 3. Recommend measures and advise the Regional Governor on all
15 other matters related to upholding the rule of law.
16 4. Be in the frontline of protecting human rights and prosecuting any
17 violations thereof, particularly those which occur during and in the
18 aftermath of man-made or natural disasters or calamities.
21 6. In addition to the foregoing duties and functions, the legal officer
22 shall:
23 i. Represent the regional autonomous government in all civil
24 actions and special proceedings wherein the autonomous
25 region or any official thereof, in his official capacity, is a party.
26 ii. When required by the Regional Governor, draft ordinances,
27 contracts, bonds, leases and other instruments, involving any
28 interest of the autonomous region and provide comments and
29 recommendations on any instrument already drawn.
30 iii. Render his/her opinion in writing on any question of law when
31 requested to do so by the Regional Governor.
32 iv. Investigate or cause to be investigated any Autonomous Region
33 of the Cordillera official or employee for administrative neglect
34 or misconduct in office, and recommend appropriate action to
35 the Regional Governor as the case may be.
36 v. Investigate or cause to be investigated any person, firm or
37 corporation holding any franchise or exercising any public
38 privilege for failure to comply with any term or condition in the
39 grant of such franchise or privilege by the Autonomous Region of
40 the Cordillera, and recommending appropriate action to the
41 Regional Governor, as the case may be.
42 vi. When directed by the Regional Governor, initiate and prosecute
43 in the interest of the autonomous region any civil action on any
44 bond, lease or other contract upon any breach or violation
45 thereof.
Page 20 of 55
1 vii. Review and submit recommendations on ordinances approved

2 and execute orders issued.
3
4 (6) Regional Treasurer
5 a. The Regional Treasurer shall be a citizen of the Philippines and a

6 Cordilleran, of good moral character, and a holder of a college degree
7 preferably in commerce, public administration or law from a recognized
8 college or university. He/she must have acquired experience in treasury
9 or accounting service for at least five (5) years.
10
11 b. The Regional Treasurer shall take charge of the Treasury Office, perform
12 the duties provided for under Book II of the Local Government Code,
13 and shall:
14 1. Advise the Regional Governor and other Autonomous Region of the
15 Cordillera officials concerned regarding the disposition of
16 government funds, and on such other matters relative to public
17 finance.
18 2. Take custody of and exercise proper management of the funds of
19 the autonomous region.
20 3. Take charge of the disbursement of all Autonomous Region of the
21 Cordillera funds and such other funds the custody of which may be
22 entrusted to him/her by law or other competent authority.
23 4. Maintain and update the tax information system of the autonomous
24 region.
27
28 (7) Regional General Services Officer
29 a. The Regional General Services Officer shall be a citizen of the Philippines

30 and a Cordilleran, of good moral character, and a holder of a college
31 degree preferably on public administration, business administration and
32 management or any other related course from a recognized college or
33 university. He/she must have acquired experience in general services,
34 including management of supply, property, solid waste disposal, and
35 general sanitation, for at least five (5) years.
36
37 b. The Regional General Services Officer shall take charge of the Office on
38 General Services and shall:
39 1. Formulate measures for the consideration of the Regional Governor
40 and provide him technical assistance and support in carrying out
41 measures to ensure the delivery of basic services and provision of
42 adequate facilities pursuant to the Local Government Code and this
43 Organic Act which require general services expertise and technical
44 support services.
Page 21 of 55

2 Regional Governor implement the same, particularly those which
3 have to do with the general services supportive of the welfare of the
4 inhabitants which the Regional Governor is empowered to
5 implement.
6 3. Be in the frontline of general services related activities, such as the
7 possible or imminent destruction or damage to records, supplies,
8 properties, and structures and the orderly and sanitary clearing up of
9 waste materials or debris, particularly during and in the aftermath of
10 man-made and natural calamities and disasters.
11 4. Recommend and advise the Regional Governor on all matters
12 relative to general services.
13 5. In addition to the foregoing duties and functions, the General
14 Services Officer shall:
15 i. Take custody of and be accountable for all properties, real or
16 personal, owned by the autonomous government and those
17 granted to it in the form of donation, reparation, assistance and
18 counterpart of joint projects.
19 ii. With the approval of the Regional Governor, assign building or
20 land space to regional officials, who by law, are entitled to such
21 space. Recommend to the Regional Governor reasonable rental
22 rates for Autonomous Region of the Cordillera properties, whether
23 real or personal, which will be leased to public or private entities.
24 iii. Recommend to the Regional Governor reasonable rental rates of
25 private properties which may be leased for the official use of the
26 Autonomous Region of the Cordillera.
27 iv. Maintain and supervise janitorial, security, government public
28 buildings and other real property, whether owned or leased by
29 the Autonomous Region of the Cordillera.
30 v. Collate and disseminate information regarding prices, shipping
31 and other costs of supplies and other items commonly used by the
33 vi. Perform archival and record management with respect to
34 records of offices and departments of the Autonomous Region of
35 the Cordillera.
36 vii. Perform all other functions pertaining to supply and property
37 management heretofore performed by the Regional
38 Government Treasurer and enforce policies on records creation,
39 maintenance, and disposal.
40 viii. Exercise such other powers and perform such other duties and
42
43 (8) Regional Planning and Development Officer
44 a. The Regional Planning and Development Officer shall be a citizen of

45 the Philippines, of good moral character and a holder of a college
46 degree preferably in urban planning, development studies,
Page 22 of 55
1 economics, public administration, or any related course from a

2 recognized college or university, and a first grade civil service eligible
3 or its equivalent. He must have acquired experience in development
4 planning or in any related field for at least five (5) years in the case
5 of the provincial or city planning and development coordinator.
6 The appointment of a planning and development coordinator shall

7 be mandatory for provincial, city and municipal governments.
8 b. The planning and development officer shall take charge of the

9 planning and development office and shall:
10 1. Formulate integrated economic, social, physical, and other

11 development plans and policies for consideration of the local
12 government development council;
13 2. Conduct continuing studies, researches, and training programs
14 necessary to evolve plans and programs for implementation;
15 3. Integrate and coordinate all sectoral plans and studies undertaken
16 by the different functional group or agencies;
17 4. Monitor and evaluate the implementation of the different
18 development programs, projects, and activities in the local
19 government unit concerned in accordance with the approved
20 development plan;
21 5. Prepare comprehensive plans and other development planning
22 documents for the consideration of the local development council;
23 6. Analyze the income expenditure patterns, and formulate and
24 recommend fiscal plans and policies for consideration of the finance
25 committee of the local government unit concerned as provided
26 under Title Five, Book II of the Local Government Code;
27 7. Promote people participation in development planning within the
28 local government unit concerned;
29 8. Exercise supervision and control over the secretariat of the local
30 development council; and,
31 9. Exercise such other powers and perform such other functions and
32 duties as may be prescribed by law or ordinance.
33 9. *(Alternate proposal: Recommended for removal because it is
34 redundant to NEDA and CDC’s functions (section 65-68))
35
36 Section 65.Section 64. There shall be a Cordillera Development Council (CDC)
37 which shall function as the main planning and advisory body of the
38 autonomous government, setting the direction of economic and social
39 development of the autonomous region and through which regional
40 development efforts shall be coordinated.
41
42 Section 66.Section 65. The Cordillera Development Council (CDC), which shall
43 be headed by the Regional Governor, shall be composed of the Regional
44 Governor as chair, Private Sector Representative as co-chair, the Regional
45 Director of NEDA as vice-chair, and the following as members:
Page 23 of 55
1 a. All the provincial governors, the city and capital town mayors.
2 b. Two (2) members of the Regional Legislative Assembly, to be designated
3 by its presiding officer preferably the appropriations chair as a member.
4 c. Private sector representatives of duly accredited private sector and
5 non-government organizations/people's organizations, provided that
6 their composition shall not be less than one-fourth of the total
7 membership.
8 d. Regional heads of devolved and non-devolved line agencies who are
9 members of the NEDA Board.
10 e. The Council may designate special non-voting members (SNVMs)
11 coming from both the public and private sectors, upon concurrence of
12 the majority of its regular members.
13 f. Representatives of all ethno-linguistic cultural groups.
14
15 Section 67.Section 66. The regional office of the National Economic and
16 Development Authority (NEDA) shall serve as the secretariat and technical
17 operations arm of the Council.
18
19 Section 68.Section 67. The Cordillera Development Council shall:
20 a. Coordinate the preparation, implementation, monitoring and

21 evaluation of short- and long- term regional development plans and
22 investment programs, regional physical framework plans and special
23 development plans, including the formulation of policy
24 recommendations.
25
26 b. Integrate approved development plans of provinces and cities, line
27 agencies, state universities and colleges, government owned and
28 controlled corporations and special development authorities in the
29 autonomous region into the regional development plan.
30
31 c. Review, prioritize, and endorse to the autonomous government the
32 annual and multi-year sectoral investment programs of the autonomous
33 region for funding and implementation.
34
35 d. Review and endorse to the national government the annual budgets of
36 agency regional offices, state colleges and universities and special
37 development authorities.
38
39 e. Promote and direct the inflow and allocation of private investments in
40 the autonomous region to support regional development objectives,
41 policies, strategies.
42
43 f. Review and endorse national plans, programs and projects proposed
44 for implementation in the autonomous region.
45
Page 24 of 55
1 g. As required by the Investment Coordinating Committee (ICC), review

2 and endorse projects of national government agencies that have
3 impact on the region and projects of LGUs in the region requiring
4 national government exposure which may come in the form of
5 guarantees, national government budget appropriations or subsidies,
6 among others.
7
8 h. Initiate and coordinate the development, funding and implementation
9 of regional and special development projects such as those involving
10 several agencies or LGUs.
11
12 i. Coordinate the monitoring and evaluation of development projects
13 undertaken by government agencies, local government units, state
14 colleges and universities, government-owned and/or controlled
15 corporations and special development authorities in the autonomous
16 region.
17
18 j. Perform other related functions and activities as may be necessary to
19 promote and sustain the socio-economic development of the
21
22 Section 69.Section 68. Creation of Committees. The Council shall create
23 appropriate technical and sectoral committees to assist in its work.
24
25 Section 70.Section 69. Existing committees placed under the Cordillera
26 Development Council (CDC). Existing regional coordinating committees that
27 are created by various laws and currently attached to specific agencies, and
28 ad-hoc program/project-based steering committees, such as, but not limited
29 to Development Administration Committee, Economic Development
30 Committee, Social Development Committee, Infrastructure Development
31 Committee, Watershed and Environmental Management Committee,
32 Committee on Indigenous Peoples’ Concerns, Regional Land Use Committee,
33 Regional Gender and Development Committee, Regional Project Monitoring
34 Committee, Regional Competitiveness Committee, Regional Development
35 Budget Coordinating Committee, Regional Statistical Coordination
36 Committee, and the Cordillera Geographic Information System Network, shall
37 be placed under the umbrella of the CDC. Secretariat work of these inter-
38 agency committees shall continue to be provided by their mother agency
39
40 Section 71.Section 70. Attendance of Representatives to the RDC. When the
41 need arises, the Council shall invite the Congressmen of the provinces and
42 cities of the autonomous region.
43
44 ARTICLE VII: THE REGIONAL VICE-GOVERNOR
45
Page 25 of 55
1 Section 72.Section 71. Presiding Officer. The Regional Vice-Governor shall

2 automatically become the Presiding Officer of the Regional Legislative
3 Assembly.
4
5 Section 73.Section 72. Functions of the Presiding Officer. As the Presiding Officer
6 of the Regional Legislative Assembly, the Regional Vice-Governor shall:
7 a. Sign all warrants drawn on the Regional Treasury Office for all
8 expenditures appropriated for the operation of the Regional Legislative
9 Assembly;
10
11 b. Subject to civil service law, rules and regulations, and this Organic Act,
12 appoint all officials and employees of the Office of the Regional Vice-
13 Governor, the Regional Legislative Assembly and the Office of the
14 Secretary to the Regional Legislative Assembly. The appointment of the
15 Secretary to the Regional Legislative Assembly shall however require the
16 concurrence of the majority of the members of the Regional Legislative
17 Assembly as well as compliance to civil service law, rules and regulations
18 and this Organic Act;
19 c. Assume the office of the Regional Governor for the unexpired term of
20 the latter in the event of a permanent vacancy as provided in this
21 Organic Act;
22
23 d. Exercise the powers and perform the duties and functions of the
24 Regional Governor in cases of temporary vacancy as provided in this
25 Organic Act;
26
27 e. Exercise the powers and perform the duties and functions as may be
28 prescribed by an ordinance.
29
30 ARTICLE VIII: THE REGIONAL LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY

31
32 Section 74.Section 73. Legislative Authority. The legislative power of the
33 Regional Government in the Autonomous Region of the Cordillera, shall be
34 vested in the Regional Legislative Assembly, except to the extent reserved by
35 the Constitution and this Organic Act on initiative and referendum. Within its
36 territorial jurisdiction and subject to the provisions of the Constitution and
37 national laws, the Regional Legislative Assembly of the Autonomous Region of
38 the Cordillera shall have legislative powers over those functions enumerated
39 under Section 267.
40
41 Section 75.Section 74. Composition/Members
42 The Regional Legislative Assembly shall be composed of the following:
43
44 a. Elected representatives of cities and provinces;
45
Page 26 of 55
1 b. IIndigenous Peoples mandatory representative, who shall be selected from

2 among the provincial Indigenous Peoples mandatory representatives in
3 accordance with their rules and processesby the RLA; and,
4
5 c. Sectoral representatives, as may be provided by ordinance.
6
7 c. The Indigenous Peoples mandatory representative and sectoral
8 representatives shall be subject to the same qualifications and
9 disqualifications of the elected representatives of the regional legislative
10 assembly.
11
12 Section 76.Section 75. Enactment of Ordinances and Resolutions. The
13 Regional Legislative Assembly shall enact ordinances, approve resolutions and
14 appropriate funds for the general welfare of the region and its inhabitants as
15 well as for the efficient and effective operation of the Autonomous Region of
16 the Cordillera.
17
18 Section 77.Section 76. Administrative Support. The Regional Legislative
19 Assembly shall have an administrative and support staff. Each member shall
20 have at least three (3) confidential Legislative Assistants whose qualifications,
21 rank and salary grade level shall be equivalent to regional executive assistants.
22 Their term of service shall however be coterminus with their overseer.
23
24 Section 78.Section 77. Regular and Special Sessions. The Regional Legislative
25 Assembly shall start its regular session on the first Monday of July, and by
26 resolution fix the day, time and place of its regular sessions, which shall be held
27 at least once a week. However, the Assembly may be called to a special
28 session by the Chairperson or the Regional Governor whenever necessary and
29 a notice of meeting shall be sent to the member's place of residence at least
30 twenty-four (24) hours before the special session is held. Unless otherwise
31 concurred in by two-thirds (2/3) votes of the members, there being a quorum,
32 no other matters may be considered at a special session except those stated
33 in the notice. The Regional Legislative Assembly may invite the President and
34 other government officials to address it.
35
36 Section 79.Section 78. Sessions and Quorum
37
38 a. A majority of all the members of the Regional Legislative Assembly shall
39 constitute a quorum to do business, but a smaller number may adjourn from
40 day to day, and may compel the attendance of absent members in such
41 manner, and under such penalties as the Assembly may provide.
42
43 b. On the first regular session following the election of its members, and within
44 ninety (90) days thereafter, the Regional Legislative Assembly shall adopt
45 or update its rules of proceedings which shall include, among other things,
46 the organization of the Assembly and the election of its officers, creation of
47 standing committees, the time, place and manner of convening its regular
48 and special sessions, the conduct and discipline of its members, the
49 conduct and discipline of every person present during its session, the
Page 27 of 55
1 preparation and publication of its journal, the determination of quorum,

2 and the necessary votes to pass any measure, and recall proceedings in
3 accordance with the Local Government Code.
4
5 Section 80.Section 79. Ordinance
6
7 a. Every ordinance shall embrace only one (1) subject which shall be
8 expressed in the title thereof.
9
10 b. No ordinance shall become a law unless it has passed three readings on
11 separate days, and printed copies thereof in its final form have been
12 distributed to the members three (3) days before its passage, except when
13 the Governor certifies to the necessity of its immediate enactment to meet
14 a public calamity or emergency affecting the region, or the component
15 provinces, cities, municipalities or barangays.
16
17 c. Upon the last reading of an ordinance, no amendment thereto shall be
18 allowed, and the vote thereon shall be taken immediately thereafter, and
19 the yeas and nays entered in the Journal.
20
21 d. Every ordinance passed by the Regional Legislative Assembly shall, before
22 it becomes a law, be presented to the Regional Governor. If he/she
23 approves the same, he/she shall sign it. Otherwise, he/she shall veto it and
24 return the same with his objections to the Regional Legislative Assembly,
25 which shall enter the objections in its Journal and proceed to reconsider it.
26 If, after such reconsideration, two-thirds (2/3) of all the members of the
27 Regional Legislative Assembly shall agree to pass the ordinance, it shall
28 become a law. The Regional Governor shall communicate his veto of any
29 ordinance to the Regional Legislative Assembly within ten (10) days from
30 receipt thereof otherwise; it shall become a law as if he/she had signed it.
31 e. The Regional Governor shall have the power to veto any particular item or
32 items in an appropriation or revenue, but the veto shall not affect the item
33 or items to which he/she does not object.
34
35 Section 81.Section 80. People's Question Hour
36
37 a. There shall be a people's hour at least once a month or as often as the rules
38 of the Regional Legislative Assembly may provide, which shall be included
39 in the Order of Business, during which any member of the Cabinet may,
40 upon his own initiative, with the consent of the Regional Governor, or upon
41 the request of the Regional Legislative Assembly, appear and answer
42 questions and interpellations by members of the Assembly on any matter
43 pertaining to his department.
44
45 b. The Regional Legislative Assembly or any of its committees may conduct
46 inquiries in aid of legislation in accordance with its duly published rules of
Page 28 of 55
1 procedure. The rights and dignity of persons appearing in or affected by

2 such inquiries shall be respected.
3
4 Section 82.Section 81. Immunity from suit. No member shall be questioned or
5 be held liable in any other place for any speech or debate in the Regional
6 Legislative Assembly or in any committee thereof.
7
8 Section 83.Section 82. Appropriations Ordinance. The Regional Legislative
9 Assembly shall pass an appropriations ordinance for the ensuing year at or
10 before the end of each year, based on the budget of expenditures and
11 sources of funds submitted to it by the Regional Governor.
12
13 a. No provision or enactment shall be embraced in the regional
14 appropriations ordinance, unless it relates specifically to some particular
15 appropriations therein. Any such provision or enactment shall be limited in
16 its operation to the appropriation to which it relates.
17
18 b. The procedure in approving appropriations for the Regional Legislative
19 Assembly shall strictly follow the same procedure for approving
20 appropriations for the regional executive department.
21
22 c. A special appropriations ordinance shall specify the purpose for which it is
23 intended, and shall be supported by funds actually available as certified
24 by the Regional Treasurer or to be raised by a corresponding revenue
25 proposal therein.
26
27 d. No ordinance shall be passed authorizing any transfer of appropriations.
28 However, the Regional Governor and the presiding officer of the Assembly
29 may, by ordinance, be authorized to augment any item in the general
30 appropriations ordinance for their respective departments from savings in
31 other items of their respective appropriations.
32
33 e. The Regional Legislative Assembly may not increase the appropriations
34 recommended by the Regional Governor for the operation of the
35 Autonomous Region of the Cordillera as specified in the budget. The form,
36 content and manner of preparation of the budget shall be prescribed by
37 regional law: Provided, however, that pending the enactment of such a
38 regional law, the budgeting process of the Autonomous Region of the
39 Cordillera shall be governed by existing national laws and rules and
40 regulations prescribed by the Department of Budget and Management.
41
42 Section 84.Section 83. Expenditure of Public Funds
43
44 a. No money shall be paid out of the regional treasury except in pursuance of
45 an appropriation made by regional law.
46
47 b. No money or property shall be appropriated, applied, paid or used, directly
48 or indirectly, for the use, benefit or support, of any sect, church,
Page 29 of 55
1 denomination, sectarian institution, or system of religion or for the use,

2 benefit or support of any priest, preacher, minister or other religious teacher
3 or dignitary as such, except when such priest, preacher, minister or dignitary
4 is assigned to the regional police or government orphanage and
5 rehabilitation centers or similar institutions.
6
7 c. All money collected on any regional tax levied for a special purpose shall
8 be treated as a special fund and paid out for such purpose only. If the
9 purpose for which a special fund was created has been fulfilled or Formatted: Font color: Text 1
10 abandoned, the balance, if any, shall be transferred to the general fund of
11 the Autonomous Region of the Cordillera.
12
13 Section 85.Section 84. Certified True Copies of Ordinance. The Regional
14 Legislative Assembly shall, within ten (10) working days from approval thereof,
15 submit to the President and to both Houses of Congress a certified true copy
16 of all ordinances and resolutions it passed.
17
18 Section 86.Section 85. Creation of Offices. The Regional Legislative Assembly
19 may create such other offices and positions as may be necessary to carry out
20 the purpose of the Autonomous Region of the Cordillera subject to availability
21 of funds.
22
23 Section 87.Section 86. Secretary to the Regional Legislative Assembly. There
24 shall be a Secretary to the Regional Legislative Assembly with a rank, status
25 and salary grade level equivalent to a head of a regional department. He
26 must be a citizen of the Philippines and a Cordilleran, of good moral character,
27 and a holder of a college degree preferably in law, commerce, public
28 administration, or any other related course from a recognized college or
29 university. He must have at least three (3) years of relevant experience.
30
31 Section 88.Section 87. Program for Development. Subject to national laws and,
32 sound public administration principles, exercising the corporate powers of the
33 Autonomous Region of the Cordillera under the Constitution and R.A. 7160 of
34 1991, the Regional Legislative Assembly shall evolve a program for generating
35 development financing to accelerate social and economic development in
36 the region and implement the same, and after conducting public
37 consultation. Provided, that when regional revenues are insufficient, the
38 difference shall be funded by the national government.
39
40 Section 89.Section 88. Approval of Plans. The Regional Legislative Assembly
41 shall approve by ordinance the recommended regional physical framework
42 plan, the regional development plan, the regional development investment
43 program, the regional annual investment plan and regional annual budget
44 within the prescribed timetable.
45
46 Section 90.Section 89. Enactment of necessary legislation. When the need
47 arises, the Regional Legislative Assembly shall enact ordinances and necessary
48 legislative measures that shall strengthen and supplement the implementation
49 of national laws, devolved functions and address conflicting laws.
50
Page 30 of 55
1 Section 91.Section 90. Review of Ordinances by the Regional Legislative

2 Assembly.
3
4 a. All ordinances of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan and Sangguniang
5 Panlungsod of highly urbanized cities shallould be submitted to the Regional
6 Legislative Assembly RLA for review.
7
8 b. Within three (3) days after approval, the secretary to the Sangguniang
9 Panlalawigan and Sangguniang Panlungsod of highly urbanized cities shall
10 forward to the Regional Legislative Assembly; for review, copies of approved
11 ordinances.
12
13 c. Within thirty (30) days after the receipt of copies of such ordinances, the
14 Regional Legislative Assembly shall examine the documents or transmit them
15 to the Rregional Legal Officer , or if there be none, to the provincial
16 prosecutor for prompt examination. The Regional Legal Officer, provincial
17 attorney or provincial prosecutor shall, within a period of ten (10) days from
18 receipt of the documents, shall inform the Regional Legislative Assembly in
19 writing of his comments or recommendations, which may be considered by
20 the Regional Legislative Assembly in making its decision.
21
22 d. If the Regional Legislative Assembly finds that such an ordinance is beyond
23 the power conferred upon the Sangguniang Panlalawigan and
24 Sangguniang Panlungsod of highly urbanized cities concerned or contrary
25 to the Constitution, laws, morals, public policy and customs, it shall advise
26 the corresponding 4city or provincial authorities to take appropriate actions
27 on the matter.
28
29 e. If no action has been taken by the Regional Legislative Assembly within thirty
30 (30) days after submission of such an ordinance, the same shall be
31 presumed consistent with law and therefore valid.
32 *(Alternate proposal: whole section is recommended to be deleted)
33 e.
34 ARTICLE IX: PATRIMONY, ECONOMY AND DEVELOPMENT
35
36 Section 92.Section 91. Coordination and Cooperation of the Autonomous
37 Region of the Cordillera with the national government to achieve quality of life.
38 The Autonomous Region of the Cordillera with the support of the national
39 government, shall pursuant to regional autonomy and poverty alleviation
40 initiate, stimulate, facilitate, support and coordinate development in the
41 region towards attaining equitable distribution of opportunities, income, and
42 wealth; a sustained increase in the amount of goods and services available to
43 Cordillerans and an expanding productivity and income as the key to raising
44 the quality of life for all.
45
4
To be replaced with “concerned” as suggested by Dr. Cosalan during the plenary last July 18, 2019
Page 31 of 55
1 Section 93.Section 92. Autonomous Region of the Cordillera Development

2 Plan. The Autonomous Region of the Cordillera shall formulate its
3 development plans taking into consideration the Ancestral Domain
4 Development and Management Plans of the Indigenous Cultural
5 Communities/Indigenous Peoples and the Cordilleran’s unique needs and
6 aspirations, consistent with national development goals. The Development
7 Plan shall include the promotion of growth and full employment, human
8 development, and address social and economic inequities that have resulted
9 from decades of neglect, historical injustice, poverty and inequality.
10
11 Section 94.Section 93. Transportation and communication system. The
12 Autonomous Region of the Cordillera shall, in coordination with the national
13 government, establish an efficient and environmentally sound transportation
14 and communication system interconnecting the various areas of the
15 autonomous region with each other and to other regions adjacent to the
16 Cordilleras. Likewise, the Autonomous Region of the Cordillera in close
17 coordination with component local government units shall plan, construct,
18 modernize and maintain rural and urban infrastructure facilities and utilities,
19 including alternative transport systems within critical environments.
20
21 Section 95. Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program. Subject to ecological
22 considerations, the Autonomous Region of the Cordillera shall adopt and
23 implement a comprehensive rural agrarian reform program, as well as an
24 urban development program consistent with the Constitution and national
25 laws and policies to ensure the just and sustainable utilization of land within its
26 jurisdiction. Ancestral domains shall not be covered by any Agrarian/Urban
27 Reform Program, without the FPIC of the concerned ICCs/IPs.
28
29 Section 96.Section 94. Policies of the Autonomous Region of the Cordillera on
30 Renewable and other Energy Resources and Extractive Industries. Policies on
31 Renewable and other energy resources and extractive industries shall be
32 drawn up by the Legislative Assembly in accordance with its Comprehensive
33 Sustainable Development Plan, as well as its over-all medium-term and long-
34 term Regional Development Plan.
35
36 Section 97.Section 95. Financial and Technical Assistance Agreements. The
37 applications for financial and technical assistance agreements covering
38 mineral resources within the region shall be commenced at and
39 recommended by the Regional Government to the President. The manner by
40 which the Regional Government shall make the recommendation shall be in
41 accordance with Section 98.
42
43 Section 98.Section 96. Participation of the Autonomous Region of the Cordillera
44 in Government in National Development Planning. To ensure that the Regional
45 development plans are reflected in the national development plans, the
46 Autonomous Region of the Cordillera shall participate in national
47 development planning. The Regional Governor shall be a full-fledged member
48 of the Board of the National Economic and Development Authority.
49
Page 32 of 55
1 ARTICLE X: ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES5 Formatted: Font color: Text 1

2 Formatted: Font color: Text 1
3 Section 99.Section 97. Exploration, development and utilization of Natural Formatted: Font color: Text 1
4 Resources, Nature Reserves, and Protected Areas. - Subject to the provisions of
5 the Constitution, the Autonomous Region of the Cordillera shall have the
6 power, authority, and right to explore, develop, and utilize the natural
7 resources, including surface and subsurface rights, inland waters, coastal
8 waters, and renewable and non-renewable resources in the Autonomous
9 Region of the Cordillera, without prejudice to the rights to Free, Prior and
10 Informed Consent of Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples
11 within their ancestral domain..
12
13 The protection, conservation, rehabilitation, and development of forests ,
14 coastal, and marine resources, including the adoption of programs and
15 projects, to ensure the maintenance of ecological balance and biodiversity
16 shall be given priority.
17
18
19 The Autonomous Region of the Cordillera shall also have the power to declare
20 nature reserves and aquatic parks, forests, watershed reservations, and other
21 protected areas in the Autonomous Region of the Cordillera, including collection
22 of payments of environmental services.
23
24 The Autonomous Region of the Cordillera shall pass a law to establish protected areas, the
25 procedure for the declaration and the management thereof, and the role of the Autonomous
26 Region of the Cordillera and other stakeholders in the process: Provided, that protected areas
27 be declared within the ancestral domains shall be subject to the Free, Prior And Informed
28 Consent.
29
30 Pending the enactment of such law, the declaration and management of protected areas shall
31 be governed by existing laws rules and regulations. Existing nature reserves and protected
32 areas shall remain as such. These, including those to be declared, shall be managed in
33 accordance with sustainable development and biodiversity conservations and treaties to which
34 the Philippines is a party.6
35
36
37 All explorations, developments and utilization of the foregoing natural
38 resources is subject to the right to Free, Prior and Informed Consent of
39 Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples within their ancestral
40 domain, as well as the right Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous
41 Peoples to participate in the benefits therefrom.
5
Entirely new article and its sections; mostly lifted from BOL but highlighted in red font were the changes included
by the cluster on ENR
6
(src: Section 8, Article XIII of BOL, RA 11054)
Page 33 of 55
1
2 Section 98. Grant of permits, licenses and contracts. The Autonomous Region
3 of the Cordillera shall have the authority, power, and right to the control and
4 supervision over the exploration, utilization, development, and protection of
5 the lands, forests, water, minerals and other natural resources, including
6 biodiversity within the autonomous region in accordance with the Constitution
7 and the pertinent provisions of this Organic Act, except for the strategic
8 minerals such as uranium, petroleum, and other fossil fuels, mineral oil, and all
9 sources of potential energy, provided that the autonomous government shall
10 be consulted. Permits and licenses and the granting of contracts for this
11 purpose shall be within the powers of the Autonomous Region of the Cordillera.
12
13 Section 99. Transfer of Management of Existing Nature reserves and Protected
14 Areas. -– The Autonomous Region of the Cordillera shall also have the power
15 to declare nature reserves and aquatic parks, forests, watershed reservations,
16 and other protected areas in the Autonomous Region of the Cordillera,
17 including collection of payments of environmental services.
18
19 The Autonomous Region of the Cordillera may pass ordinances to establish
20 protected areas, the procedure for the declaration and the management
21 thereof, and the role of the Autonomous Region of the Cordillera and other
22 stakeholders in the process, without prejudice to the rights to Free, Prior and
23 Informed Consent of Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples
24 within their ancestral domain.
25
26 Pending the enactment of such ordinance, the declaration and management
27 of protected areas shall be governed by existing laws rules and regulations.
28 Existing nature reserves and protected areas shall remain as such. These,
29 including those to be declared, shall be managed in accordance with
30 sustainable development and biodiversity conservations and treaties to which
31 the Philippines is a party.
32
33 Section 100. The management and protection of nature reserves and
34 aquatic parks, forests, watershed and mineral reservations, and other
35 protected areas in the territorial jurisdiction of the Cordillera that have already
36 been defined by under the authority of the National Government shall be
37 transferred to the Autonomous Region of the Cordillera.
38
39 Within three (3) months from the establishment of the Regional Transition
40 CommitteeThe Autonomous Region of the Cordillera, the Autonomous Region
41 of the Cordillera and the the Department of Environment and Natural
42 Resources, the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, as well as other
43 relevant government agencies, shall start the process of transferring the
44 management of these areas to the Autonomous Region of the
45 Cordilleraregional government, including the conduct of surveys of all
46 affected areas and the planning and transition for each and every protected
47 area.. The transfer shall be completed within a period not exceeding six
Page 34 of 55
1 months upon the full creation and establishment of the Autonomous Region of
2 the Cordillera. 7
3
4 Section 101.Section 100. Exploration, Development, and Utilization of Fossil Fuels
5 and Uranium. -– Subject to the provisions of the Constitution and national laws
6 that are not prejudicial or oppressive to the region as determined by our
7 regional legislative assembly, the Autonomous Region of the Cordillera and
8 the National Government shall jointly exercise the power to grant rights,
9 privileges, and concessions over the exploration, development, and utilization
10 of uranium and fossil fuels such as petroleum, natural gas, and coal in the
11 territorial jurisdiction of the Autonomous Region of the Cordillera. The use of the
12 renewable energy shall be promoted for power generation to achieve the
13 sustainable development goals and promote low carbon energy generation
14 policies.
15 The National Government, through the Department of Energy, and the

16 Autonomous Region of the Cordillera shall adopt a competitive and Formatted: Font color: Text 1
17 transparent process for the grant of rights, privileges, and concessions in the
18 exploration, development, and utilization of fossil fuels and uranium.
19 The Department of Energy and the Regional Govern Autonomous Region of

20 the Cordillera shall identify and select prospective contract areas to be
21 offered for exploration and development. Qualified Filipino citizens who
22 are bona fide residents of the Autonomous Region of the Cordillera shall be
23 given a rating higher than other proponents during the evaluation process. The
24 award of service contract shall be made jointly by the Department of Energy
25 and the Autonomous Region of the Cordillera.8
26 Section 102.Section 101. Preferential Rights of Bona Fide Residents of the

27 Autonomous Region of the Cordillera. - Qualified citizens who are bona
28 fide residents of the Autonomous Region of the Cordillera, all other conditions
29 being equal, shall have preferential rights over the exploration, development,
30 and utilization of natural resources, including uranium and fossil fuels such as
31 petroleum, natural gas, and coal within the territorial jurisdiction of the
32 Cordillera. Existing rights over the exploration, development and utilization of
33 natural resources shall be respected until the expiration of the corresponding
34 leases, permits, franchises, or concessions, unless legally terminated.9
35
36 Section 103.Section 102. Rights of Indigenous Peoples to Natural Resources. - The
37 regional legislative assembly shall enact a lawn ordinance recognizing the
38 rights of indigenous peoples in the Autonomous Region of the Cordillera in
39 relation to natural resources within the areas covered by a native title,
40 including their share in revenues as provided in this Organic Law, and priority
41 rights in the exploration, development, and utilization of such natural resources
42 within their area.
43
7
8
9
Page 35 of 55
1 The right of indigenous peoples to free, prior and informed consent in relation
2 to development initiatives and exploration, development, and utilization of the
3 natural resources within the ancestral domains shall be recognized.10
4
5 Section 104.Section 103. Protection of the ancestral domain and ancestral lands
6 of indigenous cultural communities (ICCs). All lands and natural resources in
7 the autonomous region that have been possessed or occupied by Indigenous
8 Cultural CommunitiesICCs since time immemorial, except when prevented by
9 war, force majeure, or other forms of forcible usurpation, shall form part of the
10 ancestral domain. Such ancestral domain shall include pasture lands, worship
11 areas, burial grounds, forests and fields, mineral resources, lakes, rivers, and
12 lagoons; and national reserves and marine parks, as well as forest and
13 watershed reservations except strategic minerals such as uranium, coal,
14 petroleum; and other fossil fuels, mineral oils, and all sources of potential
15 energy11.
16
17 Section 105. Authority, power, and right to the control and supervision over the
18 exploration, utilization, development, and protection of the lands, forests,
19 water, minerals and other natural resources including biodiversity within the
20 autonomous region in accordance with the Constitution and the pertinent
21 provisions of this Organic Act except for the strategic minerals such as uranium,
22 petroleum, and other fossil fuels, mineral oil, and all sources of potential
23 energy, provided that the autonomous government shall be consulted.
24 Permits and licenses and the granting of contracts for this purpose shall be
25 within the powers of the Autonomous Region of the Cordillera. 12
26
27 Section 106.Section 104. Mines and Mineral Resources. - Subject to the provisions
28 of the Constitution and national laws that are not prejudicial or oppressive to
29 the region as determined by our regional legislative assembly, the
30 Autonomous Region of the Cordillera shall have the authority and jurisdiction Formatted: Font color: Text 1
31 over the exploration, development, and utilization of mines and minerals in its
32 territorial jurisdiction, taking into consideration environmental protection and
33 ecological balance. The Autonomous Region of the Cordillera shall have the
34 power to grant permits, licenses, and contracts for this purpose.13
35
36 Section 107.Section 105. Regulation of Small-Scale Mining. - Small-scale Mining
37 shall be regulated by the Autonomous Region of the Cordillera to the end that
38 the ecological balance, safety and health, and the interests of the affected
39 communities, the miners, the indigenous peoples, and the local government
40 units of the place where such operations are conducted are duly protected
41 and safeguarded. All gold produced by small-scale miners in any mineral area
42 shall be sold to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, or its duly authorized
43 representatives, which shall buy the same prices competitive with those
44 prevailing in the world market, regardless of volume or weight. 14
45
10
11
Section 25, 3a of HB 5343
12
Section 25, 3d of HB5343
13
14
Page 36 of 55
1 Section 108.Section 106. Development of Lands 18% above in slope. - The

2 developed areas in above 18% in slope at the time of adoption of this organic
3 law should be reclassified as alienable and disposable as determined by
4 Autonomous Region of the Cordillera. The Autonomous Region of the
5 Cordillera in partnership with the communities, especially the indigenous
6 peoples or indigenous cultural communities, and their government units, and
7 support of the national government shall adopt measures for the development
8 of communities occupying lands eighteen percent in slope or over, by
9 providing the necessary infrastructure, financial and technical support.15
10 *(Alternate proposal: Delete section as it is dangerous to the protection of Formatted: Font color: Red
11 natural resources)
12
13 Section 109.Section 107. Standards for environmental protection. Cognizant of
14 existing international and national environmental standards the Autonomous
15 Region of the Cordillera shall develop and/or adopt local standards pertaining
16 to the protection, conservation, and enhancement, of the environment and
17 natural resources, appropriate to the socio- cultural and environmental
18 uniqueness of the Cordillera.16 *(Alternate proposal: Delete section)
19
20 Section 110.Section 108. Comprehensive Framework for Sustainable
21 Development. The Autonomous Region of the Cordillera shall develop a
22 comprehensive framework for sustainable development through the proper
23 conservation, utilization and development of natural resources. Such
24 framework shall guide the Autonomous Region of the Cordillera in adopting
25 programs and policies and establishing mechanisms that focus on the
26 environment dimensions of social and economic interventions. It shall include
27 measures for the reduction of vulnerability of women and marginalized groups
28 to the impact of climate change and variability.17
29
30 ARTICLE XI: SOURCES OF REVENUES AND OTHER FISCAL MATTERS Formatted: Font color: Text 1
31
32 Section 111.Section 109. Share from the National Revenues. To conserve, protect
33 and develop the national patrimony and heritage located in the Autonomous
34 Region of the Cordillera, and devolved to the region by this Organic Act, and
35 to fund the operations of the Autonomous Region of the Cordillera, the
36 Autonomous Region of the Cordillera shall, in addition to the existing shares of
37 local government units, regional line agencies and other government
38 institutions, have a share of the national revenues which include but not limited
39 to the following:
40
41 a. Two and a half percent (2.5%) of the national Internal Revenue Taxes. The
42 Autonomous Region of the Cordillera shall have a share in the national
43 internal revenue taxes equivalent to 2.5 percent based on the collection of
44 the third fiscal year preceding the current fiscal year, in addition to the
45 internal revenue allotment shares of the local government units. Eighty
46 percent (80%) of such share shall be appropriated in the annual regional
15
(src: Section 93, Article IX of HB 5343)
16
17
Page 37 of 55
1 budget for development projects. The internal revenue allotment share of

2 the Autonomous Region of the Cordillera shall be released directly to the
3 Regional Government Treasurer and shall not be subject to any lien or
4 holdback that may be imposed by the national government for whatever
5 purpose.
6
7 b. Forty percent (40%) Share of the National Wealth Tax. The Autonomous
8 Region of the Cordillera shall have a separate forty percent (40%) share of
9 the gross collections in the preceding fiscal year from mining taxes,
10 royalties, environmental services, forestry and fishery charges, energy
11 production charges, and such other taxes, fees and charges, including
12 related surcharges, interests and fines derived from the utilization and
13 development of the national wealth within its territorial jurisdiction.
14 Provided, that the Autonomous Region of the Cordillera shall likewise be
15 entitled to ten percent (10%) share of the gross collections from the
16 utilization of national wealth sourced or emanating from the autonomous
17 region by persons, individual or juridical, operating outside the territorial
18 jurisdiction of the autonomous region. Provided that the share in national
19 wealth shall be used for the preservation and further development of the
20 environment.
21 Local Government Units shall have a share of one and one-half percent (1.5%)
22 of the gross sales or receipts or fifty percent (50%) of the gross collection,
23 whichever is higher, derived from renewable energy taxes, mining taxes,
24 royalties, forestry and fishery charges, and such other taxes, fees and charges,
25 including related surcharges, interests or fines, and from its share in any co-
26 production, joint ventures or production sharing agreement in the utilization
27 and development of the national wealth within their territorial jurisdiction. This
28 provision shall be applicable to all corporations, partnership, individuals and
29 other entities including government agencies and government owned or
30 controlled corporations engaged in the utilization and development of the
31 national wealth within the region irrespective of existing contrary laws, rules
32 and regulations of national application.
33 c. Two percent (2%) share out of the Economic Zones Tax. The Autonomous
34 Region of the Cordillera shall have a separate two percent (2%) share out
35 of the five percent (5%) final tax on gross income earned or equivalent to
36 forty percent (40%) of total tax paid by businesses within the economic
37 zones found in the Cordillera, in addition to the existing shares of the local
38 government units of two percent (2%). The fund shall be used for Trade and
39 Industry programs.
40
41 Local government units shall have a separate two percent (2%) share out of
42 the five percent (5%) final tax on gross tax paid by businesses within the
43 economic zones.
44 d. Twenty percent (20%) Share in Value Added Tax. The Autonomous Region
45 of the Cordillera shall have a separate twenty percent (20%) share in VAT
Page 38 of 55
1 collections from the immediately preceding year within the territorial

2 jurisdiction of the autonomous region. The fund shall support cottage
3 industry programs.
4
5 Local Government Units shall have a separate twenty percent (20%) share of
6 the excess in VAT collections from the immediately preceding year.
7
8 e. Fifteen percent (15%) Share of Total Excise Tax. The Autonomous Region of
9 the Cordillera shall have a separate fifteen percent (15%) share of the total
10 excise tax collection on all products subject to excise tax within the
11 territorial jurisdiction of the autonomous region for the second calendar
12 year preceding the year of distribution, in addition to the existing shares of
13 the local government units. The fund shall be used for agriculture programs.
14
15 Local Government Units shall have a separate fifteen percent (15%) share
16 from the total excise tax collection on all products subject to excise tax for
17 the second year preceding the year of distribution.
18
19 f. Forty percent (40%) Share of Renewable and other energy Tax. The
20 Autonomous Region of the Cordillera shall have a separate forty percent
21 (40%) of the special privilege tax on Renewable and other energy resources
22 developed within the territorial jurisdiction of the autonomous region for the
23 maintenance of watersheds and social and economic development of the
24 upstream host communities.
25
26 Local Government Units' share from the renewable and other energy
27 resources tax shall be based on the computation provided under the Local
28 Government Code (RA 7160).
29
30 g. Three percent (3%) of net income of Philippine Amusement and Gaming
31 Corporation (PAGCOR) and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO)
32 within the territorial jurisdiction of the autonomous region for construction
33 and maintenance of school buildings, hospitals and related structures and
34 services.
35
36 h. Shares in future tax impositions by the national government.
37
38
39
40
41
42 Section 112.Section 110. Sources of Autonomous Region of the Cordillera
43 Revenues. The Autonomous Region of the Cordillera shall have the power to
44 create its own sources of revenues and to levy fees, charges and taxes subject
45 to such guidelines and limitations of the Constitution and this Act, consistent
46 with the basic policy of local autonomy and which include but not limited to
47 the following:
48
Page 39 of 55
1 a. Taxes, except income taxes, imposed by the Autonomous Region of the

2 Cordillera;
3
4 b. Fees and charges imposed by the Autonomous Region of the Cordillera;
5
6 c. Taxes, fees, or charges for the registration of motor vehicles and for the
7 issuances of all kinds of licenses or permit for the driving thereof, except
8 tricycles which shall be registered with the city or municipality within
9 whose territorial boundaries they are operated;
10
11 d. Shares and revenue generated from the operations of public utilities
12 within the autonomous region;
13
14 e. Appropriations, shares in the internal revenue taxes, block grants, and
15 other budgetary allocations coming from the central government or
16 national government, and
17
18 f. Block grants derived from economic agreements or conventions
19 entered into or authorized by the Regional Legislative Assembly,
20 donations, endowments, foreign assistance, and other forms of aid,
21 subject to the pertinent provisions of the Constitution.
22
23 Section 113.Section 111. Situs of Taxation. All corporations, partnerships, and
24 other entities, including government agencies, government-owned and -
25 controlled corporations directly engaged in business in the region shall pay
26 their corresponding taxes, fees, and charges to the province, city, municipality
27 or barangays where such establishments are conducting their business
28 operations irrespective of the location of their principal or main offices.
29
30 Section 114.Section 112. Appropriations from the national government to be
31 downloaded to the Autonomous Region of the Cordillera.
32
33 a. Devolved line agencies. The national government shall continue to provide
34 appropriations for the regular operations and programs of devolved line
35 agencies in the region to be prepared by the Autonomous Region of the
36 Cordillera and incorporated under the General Appropriations Act.
37
38 b. Regional structure. The national government shall provide appropriations

39 for the mandatory organizational structure and positions of the
41
42 c. The Autonomous Region of the Cordillera may access other special

43 purpose funds appropriated in the national budget.
44
45 Section 115.Section 113. Eighty percent (80%) share of national fees and charges
46 collected within the region (e.g. DOTr, NBI, NSO, BID, PEZA, DFA, DOH, DPWH,
47 DENR, PRC, DOT, DICT, and other collecting agencies) shall be directly
Page 40 of 55
1 remitted to the regional treasury and fifty percent (50%) of this share shall be
2 automatically retained by the collecting agencies to augment their regular
3 operating expenses.
4
5 Section 116.Section 114. Donations or grants to the region to finance, to provide
6 for, or to be used in undertaking projects in health, education, culture, youth
7 and sports development, human settlements, science and technology, and in
8 economic development, shall be exempt in the payment of donors’ tax.
9 Provided, that the validation and certification processes for such donations or
10 grants shall have been done according to regional law.
11
12 Section 117.Section 115. The Autonomous Region of the Cordillera, in
13 accordance with the provisions of the Constitution and national laws and
14 upon the recommendation of the Cordillera Development Council and
15 ratification of the Regional Legislative Assembly, shall evolve a system of
16 economic agreements or trade compacts to generate grants and foreign
17 loans for development of the region.
18
19 Section 118.Section 116. The Regional Governor may contract loans only in
20 accordance with the provisions of the Constitution and national laws and
21 subject to the approval of the Regional Legislative Assembly.
22
23 Section 119.Section 117. The Regional Legislative Assembly shall have the power
24 to grant incentives or exemption on fees and charges which the autonomous
25 region is empowered under this Act to impose. An ordinance granting
26 incentives, exemptions or both shall only be passed with the concurrence of a
27 majority of all the members of the Regional Legislative Assembly.
28
29 Section 120.Section 118. Banks and other financial institutions. The Autonomous
30 Region of the Cordillera shall encourage the establishment of banks and other
31 financial institutions and their branches to facilitate the accumulation of
32 capital and investment and the delivery of credit assistance to business in the
33 region.
34
35 Section 121.Section 119. The Autonomous Region of the Cordillera shall
36 formulate fiscal and regulatory licensing standards appropriate for the region.
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44 ARTICLE XII: AGRICULTURE, AGRARIAN REFORM, TRADE AND INDUSTRY, TOURISM Formatted: Font color: Text 1
45 AND COOPERATIVE
46
47 Section 122.Section 120. Agrarian Reform and Sustainable Agricultural and
48 fisheries development. Consistent with applicable laws, the Autonomous
49 Region of the Cordillera shall, as a basic policy, promote agrarian reform and
50 sustainable agricultural development within the principles of social equity and
Page 41 of 55
1 poverty alleviation, food security and food sufficiency, global

2 competitiveness, fair trade, rational use of resources.
3
4 a. The Autonomous Region of the Cordillera shall ensure that basic agricultural
5 support services and infrastructure be accessible to the small and
6 marginalized farmers and fisher folks. It shall likewise promote agribusiness
7 and full employment based on a sound agricultural development and
8 agrarian reform.
9
10 b. The Autonomous Region of the Cordillera shall put special emphasis on
11 production towards self-sufficiency of staple food commodities and shall at
12 all times guarantee the availability, accessibility and affordability of safe
13 food commodities.
14
15 c. The Autonomous Region of the Cordillera shall work on the improvement of
16 the quality and value of raw and processed agri-based products as a
17 means to enhance competitiveness of the agriculture and fisheries sectors
18 in the domestic and global markets.
19
20 d. The Autonomous Region of the Cordillera shall formulate and implement
21 measures to promote indigenous concept of farming and protect the
22 farmers from unfair trade practices and unfair competition.
23
24 e. The Autonomous Region of the Cordillera shall ensure the equitable and
25 rational distribution of public resources and investments in order to obtain
26 the optimum returns on investments and to benefit a greater number of
27 constituents.
28
29 f. The Autonomous Region of the Cordillera shall always consider the limited
30 carrying capacity of the region's natural and agricultural resources in the
31 development of agricultural and fisheries programs and interventions.
32
33 Section 123.Section 121. Development of Water Resources. The Autonomous
34 Region of the Cordillera shall give top priority to the conservation, protection,
35 testing, utilization and development of water resources for agriculture, fisheries
36 development, domestic water supply and power development. It shall enact
37 appropriate legislation which shall enhance, develop, conserve, and protect
38 natural fishery resources especially on species endemic to the Cordillera.
39
40
41 Section 124.Section 122. Promoting the rights of fisher folks. The Autonomous
42 Region of the Cordillera shall recognize, promote, and protect the rights and
43 welfare of fisher folks, their associations and cooperatives. The provinces and
44 cities concerned shall support to subsistence fisher folk through adequate
45 funds, appropriate technology and research, marketing assistance, and other
46 support services like fishery processing facilities and access to credit.
47
Page 42 of 55
1 Section 125.Section 123. Agriculture Production. The Autonomous Region of the

2 Cordillera shall pursue the following strategies to develop and increase
3 agricultural productivity.
4
5 a. Pursue a multidisciplinary research, development and extension activities
6 to produce and promote technologies and invent machinery and facilities,
7 that will be used to improve productivity and product quality, reduce cost
8 of production, enhance value-addition and improve processing, and
9 enhance abilities to protect the environment and agricultural resources.
10
11 b. Initiate, encourage and give highest priority support to small and medium
12 agribusiness enterprises and industries with linkages to agriculture. It shall
13 ensure the allocation of adequate public investments to establish
14 adequate support-agricultural infrastructure and facilities to sustain such
15 ventures.
16
17 c. Formulate and implement product standards and regulatory rules that will
18 ensure the production, processing, distribution and marketing of safe and
19 globally-competitive products, and simultaneously promote environmental
20 conservation.
21
22 d. Ensure that all sectors involved in the production, processing and marketing
23 of food and non- food products shall strictly adhere to appropriate existing
24 laws and regulations on the proper utilization and disposal of synthetic and
25 chemical inputs and materials, and industrial and toxic wastes. Relative to Formatted: Font color: Text 1
26 this, the Autonomous Region of the Cordillera shall pursue and encourage
27 organic methods of agriculture.
28
29 Section 126.Section 124. Promotion of investment and employment generation;
30 Micro-Small-and-MMedium-Enterprises development. To promote
31 investments and employment generation and to prevent flight of capital and
32 labor from the region, the Autonomous Region of the Cordillera shall adopt
33 measures:
34
35 a. Against monopolies, cartels and unfair competition in public utilities,
36 development, trading and similar concerns. It may, in the interest of
37 regional welfare and security, establish and operate pioneering public
38 utilities. Upon payment of just compensation, it may transfer the ownership
39 of such utilities to cooperatives or other collective organizations.
40
41 b. To initiate, encourage and support industrialization in the region, taking into
42 account the culture and capabilities of the people of the area to control
43 or manage their resources, the ecological needs of the area and the
44 protection, conservation and development of resources
45
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1 c. Promote and develop micro, small, and medium enterprises through

2 business development programs, enhancement of manpower, access to
3 financing, market matching, and others.
4
5 Section 127.Section 125. Eco-cultural Tourism. Consistent with the preservation of
6 cultural heritage and the protection of ecology, the Autonomous Region of
7 the Cordilleraregional government, in partnership with the Indigenous Cultural
8 Communities/Indigenous Peoples of the concerned ancestral domain shall
9 promote eco-cultural tourism in the region. Sites with historical, scientific,
10 cultural significance including natural and man-made landmarks and scenic
11 vistas shall likewise be preserved, maintained and protected.
12
13 Section 128.Section 126. Promote Economic Zones. The Autonomous Region of
14 the Cordillera shall encourage, promote and support the establishment and
15 development of economic zones, tourism enterprise zones, industrial and
16 trade centers, and airports, in strategic areas and growth centers in the region,
17 including the necessary support infrastructure in accordance with land use
18 and other environmental considerations.
19
20 Section 129.Section 127. Marketing and Exportation of Indigenous Products. The
21 Autonomous Region of the Cordillera shall in coordination with the local
22 government units, encourage investments, development, marketing and
23 exportation of indigenous and other local products in accordance with its
24 development goals and priorities.
25
26 Section 130.Section 128. Cooperatives. The Autonomous Region of the Cordillera
27 shall promote and encourage the creation and organization of cooperatives
28 as instruments of economic development, social justice, and people
29 empowerment. It shall provide assistance through the Cooperative
30 Development Authority and other government agencies, in the form of
31 technical, financial, education and training, and other developmental
32 support services to enable them to prosper as economic and social
33 enterprises.18
34
35
36
37 ARTICLE XIII: EDUCATION, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, LANGUAGE, ARTS AND
38 CULTURE AND SPORT
39
40 Section 131.Section 129. Jurisdiction over regional educational policies. The
41 Autonomous Region of the Cordillera shall have jurisdiction over the
42 formulation of regional educational policies and on the preservation,
43 safeguarding and development of cultural heritage. It shall have the following
44 plans and programs:
45
46 a. The establishment of educational institutions, colleges and universities
47 which shall enjoy fiscal and administrative autonomy but subject to
18
Suggestion from Ms. Emerita Fuerte
Page 44 of 55
1 regional laws. Existing educational institutions, colleges and universities shall

2 continue to be governed by their respective charters;
3
4 b. The development of educational programs and policies relevant to the
5 preservation and development of cultural heritage and responsive to the
6 needs of the Cordillerans;
7
8 c. The adoption and enactment of educational policies that shall recognize,
9 support, develop and promote indigenous systems of learning.
10
11 d. The creation of Regional Educational Board that will supervise, govern and
12 intervene in the establishment, adoption and implementation of
13 educational policies and programs. The Regional Educational Board shall
14 assist the national government to provide scholarship programs, subsidies,
15 research grants and other incentives.
16
17 Section 132.Section 130. Education with highest budget allocation. The
18 Autonomous Region of the Cordillera shall assign the highest budgetary priority
19 to education.
20
21 Section 133.Section 131. Exemption from taxes and duties. Private educational
22 institutions, colleges and universities shall enjoy the protection and support of
23 the Autonomous Region of the Cordillera. All revenues and assets of non-stock,
24 non-profit educational institutions used actually, directly and exclusively for
25 educational purposes shall be exempt from taxes and duties.
26
27 Section 134.Section 132. Right to Organize. The right of teachers, employees,
28 students and parents to organize themselves and to participate in policy-
29 making shall be guaranteed.
30
31 Section 135.Section 133. Culture sensitive education. The educational system in
32 the region shall develop a program, research, instruction and extension that
33 will promote consciousness and appreciation of the ethnic identity of the
34 people in the region and shall provide a better understanding of cultural
35 heritage. It shall provide, promote, enhance or adopt a curriculum that
36 includes Cordillera languages, customs and traditions and other indigenous
37 knowledge systems and practices, as may be applicable.
38
39
40
41 Section 136.Section 134. State colleges and universities
42
43 a. State colleges and universities in the region shall form part of the regional
44 educational system of the autonomous region and shall continue to enjoy
45 fiscal and institutional autonomy, continue to be governed by their
46 respective charters and enjoy support of the Autonomous Region of the
47 Cordillera.
Page 45 of 55
1 b. The Autonomous Region of the Cordillera shall be represented in the board

2 of regents or trustees in state universities and colleges in the region.
3
4 c. The budget of state colleges and universities in the region while prepared
5 separately shall form part the budget of the Autonomous Region of the
6 Cordillera when presented to congress for approval. The state colleges and
7 universities shall continue to receive funding from the national government
8 while the Autonomous Region of the Cordillera shall provide additional
9 funding.
10 d. The Autonomous Region of the Cordillera shall capacitate state colleges

11 and universities in order to provide assistance to regional development.
12
13 Section 137.Section 135. School charters. Subject to the general supervision of
14 the Autonomous Region of the Cordillera, all schools with charters shall
15 continue to be governed by their respective charters.
16
17 Section 138.Section 136. Priority on Indigenous and appropriate technology. The
18 management of scientific and indigenous research and appropriate
19 technology on all levels of education including research institutions shall be
20 given priority by the Autonomous Region of the Cordillera.
21
22 Section 139.Section 137. Intellectual property rights. Incentives and safeguards
23 for intellectual property rights, and assistance in the registration, transfer, and
24 commercialization of intellectual properties shall be accorded to Cordillera
25 artists, writers, scientists, researchers and inventors. The community intellectual
26 rights of Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples shall be
27 recognized, respected and afforded the same level of support.
28
29 Section 140.Section 138. Medium of instruction. The Autonomous Region of the
30 Cordillera shall retain English and Filipino as a medium of instruction in all levels
31 of education. Consistent with its regional and cultural identity, and whenever
32 possible, it shall adopt a system of multi-lingual or mother tongue-based
33 approach in basic education to strengthen and enrich the various languages
34 and dialects in the region as well as the national language as maybe
35 appropriate.
36
37 Section 141.Section 139. Region-wide Physical Fitness and Sports Program. The
38 Autonomous Region of the Cordillera shall design and implement region-wide
39 physical fitness, sports development programs, and indigenous games and
40 sports which shall be a cooperative responsibility of the school, the community,
41 and the government.
42
43 Section 142.Section 140. Establishment of Council and Commissions and Center
44 on Research, Cultural Heritage and Research
45
46 The Autonomous Region of the Cordillera shall:
47
48 a. Establish a Regional Research Development, and Innovation Council,
49 which shall harmonize the research and development efforts of the
Page 46 of 55
1 academe, research institutions, citizen’s research, other organizations and

2 community initiated research in the region, with due regard to the right of
3 consent and authorship of the concerned Indigenous Cultural
4 Communities/Indigenous Peoples..
5 b. Establish Cordillera Cultural Heritage Commission for the promotion,
6 research, documentation, coordination with other groups and institutions
7 and, establish and maintain a data bank on all indigenous matters.
8
9
10
11
12 ARTICLE XIV: SOCIAL JUSTICE, HEALTH AND WELFARE Formatted: Font color: Text 1
13
14 Section 143.Section 141. Rights of Indigenous Peoples. The Autonomous Region of

15 the Cordillera recognizes the rights of indigenous peoples to self-determination
16 and shall adopt measures for the promotion and protection of their rights, such
17 as, but not limited to the following:
18 a. Native title;
19 b. Indigenous customs, traditions, knowledge systems and practices;
20 c. Justice systems and indigenous political structures;
21 d. Equitable share in revenues from the utilization of resources in their ancestral
22 domains;
23 e. Free, prior, and informed consent;
24 f. Political participation in the Autonomous Region of the Cordillera
25 government including reserved seat for the indigenous peoples in the
26 Regional Legislative Assembly;
27 g. Basic services; and
28 h. Freedom of choice as to their identity.
29 Any measure enacted by the Regional Legislative Assembly shall in no way diminish
30 the rights and privileges granted to Indigenous Peoples.
31
32 Section 144.Section 142. Measures on Social Protection. The Autonomous Region
33 of the Cordillera commits itself to social protection and shall among other
34 things, adopt measures to:
35
36 a. Empower and improve the quality of life of the poor, disadvantaged,
37 marginalized, and vulnerable individuals, families, sectors and communities
38 of the region.
39 b. Reduce or eradicate poverty to ensure that all Cordillerans are free from all
40 forms of deprivation, vulnerability, and abuse.
41
42 c. Create equal opportunities for assistance and protection for all
43 Cordillerans.
44
45 d. Promote gender and development (GAD) through the creation, adoption
46 and sustainability of programs and policies that are gender responsive.
47 Monitoring of the implementation of Gender and ADevelopment policies Formatted: Font color: Text 1
48 and programs by various sectors.
49
Page 47 of 55
1 e. Enact measures and develop programs that will protect the people from
2 any threat of violence and exploitation, eliminate trafficking in persons and
3 mitigate pressures for involuntary migration and servitude of persons, not
4 only to support trafficked persons but more importantly, to ensure their
5 recovery, rehabilitation and reintegration into the mainstream of society.
6
7 Section 145.Section 143. Equality of Employment Opportunities. The Autonomous
8 Region of the Cordillera shall undertake steps to protect the labor sector and
9 promote equality of employment opportunities for all. Towards this end, it shall,
10 among other things, provide for:
11
12 a. Participation of the Autonomous Region of the Cordillera in the regional
13 wage board in working out periodic adjustments and rational
14 standardization of compensation rates to ensure a sustainable and decent
15 wage for all workers.
16
17 b. Profit and productivity gain-sharing schemes that recognize the right of
18 workers to a just share in the profits and productivity gains of businesses,
19 provide incentives thereof, and the right of the enterprise to reasonable
20 returns on investments.
21
22 c. Protection of workers against unhealthy and unsafe working conditions.
23
24 d. Mandatory corporate social responsibility towards employees and host
25 community.
26
27 Section 146.Section 144. Hiring of Qualified Cordillerans. The Autonomous Region
28 of the Cordillera shall promote the hiring of qualified Cordillerans in
29 government projects and private businesses located in the autonomous
30 region.
31
32 Section 147.Section 145. Health as Basic Human Right. The Autonomous Region
33 of the Cordillera recognizes health as a basic human right and the attainment,
34 maintenance and protection thereof shall be its responsibility. It affirms health
35 as an instrument for and a product of socio-economic development. For this
36 purpose, it shall, among other things:
37
38 a. Establish, maintain, and support an effective health care delivery system
39 utilizing primary health care as a comprehensive and integrated approach
40 in support to national health care programs.
41 b. Ensure that the health care system is governed by the principles of service,
42 social justice and equity.
43 c. Promote health knowledge and skills that will enable its people to take
44 responsibility for their health.
45 d. Give relevant training and appropriate standards for health workers and
46 professionals.
47 e. Establish and maintain an effective food and drug regulatory system which
48 shall ensure food safety, provide for the adoption of an essential drug list,
Page 48 of 55
1 encourage the use of generic medicines or drugs, and promote the use of
2 herbal medicines and indigenous health resources.
3 f. Promote indigenous health care practices and conduct research, in
4 partnership with appropriate institutions, on traditional, modern, and
5 alternative healing methods.
6 g. Evolve financing schemes to effectively lessen the costs of health care
7 without sacrificing the quality of health care services; and
8 h. Prioritize health by allocating at least 5% of the Regional Annual Budget to

9 form the base of health budget.
10
11 Section 148.Section 146. Rights of Workers. The Autonomous Region of the
12 Cordillera shall guarantee the constitutional rights of all workers to self-
13 organization, collective bargaining and negotiations, and peaceful
14 concerted activities, including those provided by law.
15
16 Section 149.Section 147. Rights of Vulnerable Sectors
17 The Autonomous Region of the Cordillera shall:
18
19 a. Ensure the well-being of vulnerable sectors such as but not limited to:
20 differently-abled persons, the mentally handicapped, the elderly, the
21 homeless, widowed and orphans, retirees, and veterans, adult offenders
22 and children in conflict with the law and victims.
23
24 b. Assist victims of calamities, discrimination, insurgency, violence, terrorism,
25 and war.
26
27 Section 150.Section 148. Social Integration Program. The Autonomous Region of
28 the Cordillera shall adopt a social integration program responsive to the needs
29 of rebel returnees including adult offenders and children in conflict with the
30 law.
31
32 Section 151.Section 149. Social and Insurance measures. The Autonomous
33 Region of the Cordillera shall adopt insurance and social security measures
34 responsive to the needs of its people to supplement existing privileges and
35 benefits.
36
37 Section 152.Section 150. Housing Programs. The Autonomous Region of the
38 Cordillera, in cooperation with the private sector, shall promote housing
39 programs where needed, which shall be financed under liberal credit terms
40 and encourage the use of indigenous materials, architecture and technology.
41 Participation of housing cooperatives to administer the projects shall be
42 encouraged.
43
44 Section 153.Section 151. Role of Cordilleran Women. The Autonomous Region of
45 the Cordillera shall recognize and strengthen the role of the Cordillera women
46 in nation-building. It shall ensure the full implementation of the Magna Carta
47 of Women and all other existing laws that promote the welfare and protection
48 of women.
49
Page 49 of 55
1 Section 154.Section 152. Support for Senior Citizens. The Autonomous Region of
2 the Cordillera shall ensure the welfare of senior citizens by upholding their rights
3 and providing the benefits and privileges they presently enjoy.
4
5 Section 155.Section 153. Comprehensive program on Children and the Youth.
6 The Autonomous Region of the Cordillera shall establish a comprehensive
7 program on youth development, create the structures to implement the same
8 and appropriate adequate funds to provide support for the program.
9
10 Section 156.Section 154. Rights of Children. The Autonomous Region of the
11 Cordillera shall respect, protect and promote the rights of children, especially
12 orphans of tender age. They shall be protected from exploitation, abuse or
13 discrimination. Their education and development, both physical and mental,
14 shall be protected from exploitation, abuse, or discrimination. Their education
15 and development, both physical and mental shall be fully addressed.
16
17 Policies and programs shall take into utmost consideration the best interest of
18 children, and promote and protect the rights of children, youth, and
19 adolescents, including their survival and development.
20
21 The Autonomous Region of the Cordillera and its constituent local government
22 units shall provide for adequate funding and effective mechanisms for the
23 implementation of this policy.
24
25 Section 157.Section 155. Support to Peoples’ Organization. The Autonomous
26 Region of the Cordillera shall promote and support duly established peoples'
27 organizations and encourage the formation of organizations, especially those
28 of the underprivileged.
29
30 ARTICLE XV: PEACE AND ORDER Formatted: Font color: Text 1
31
32 Section 158.Section 156. The Autonomous Region of the Cordillera shall promote
33 and maintain peace and order and public safety in the region. It shall not
34 allow private armies.
35
36 Section 159.Section 157. The defense and security of the autonomous region
37 shall be the responsibility of the national government with due recognition to
38 recommendations from the Autonomous Region of the Cordillera. Likewise,
39 both National and the Autonomous Region of the Cordillera should recognize,
40 respect, and support local peace initiatives and social mechanisms that are
41 self-determined by indigenous communities for the protection and welfare of
42 its members.
43
44 Section 160.Section 158. The Autonomous Region of the Cordillera shall have co-
45 management over peace-keeping programs and initiatives and undertake
46 close coordination with the Philippine National Police as well as the Armed
47 Forces of the Philippines and other National Law Enforcement Agencies.
48
49 Section 161.Section 159. The provisions of the preceding sections
50 notwithstanding, the Regional Governor upon thorough assessment may
Page 50 of 55
1 request the President of the Philippines to call upon the Armed Forces of the
2 Philippines:
3
4 a. To prevent or suppress lawlessness, violence, invasion or rebellion, when the
5 public safety so requires, in accordance with the provisions of the
6 Constitution.
7
8 b. To suppress the danger to or breach of peace in the autonomous region,
9 when the police forces of the autonomous region are not able to do so.
10
11 c. To avert any imminent danger to public order and security in the
13
14 Section 162.Section 160. The Autonomous Region of the Cordillera shall
15 strengthen and enhance indigenous institutions or systems as may be
16 applicable and found to be acceptable and effective in the promotion of
17 social, political, economic and peace and order in the region. It shall provide
18 for a system of incorporating indigenous practices in conflict resolution
19 wherever and whenever applicable. The indigenous customary modes of
20 settling disputes shall be recognized as alternative modes of dispute resolution.
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29 ARTICLE XVI: GENERAL PROVISIONS Formatted: Font color: Auto
30
31 Section 163.Section 161. This Organic Act shall be officially promulgated in
32 Filipino and English and translated into the languages widely spoken in the
33 autonomous region. In case of conflict, the English text shall prevail.
34
35 Section 164.Section 162. The Regional Legislative Assembly may adopt a new
36 name for the Autonomous Region of the Cordillera after public consultation.
37
38 Section 165.Section 163. The Autonomous Region of the Cordillera shall have a
39 regional flag, emblem and hymn.
40
41 ARTICLE XVII: PERSONAL, FAMILY, INDIGENOUS AND PROPERTY RELATIONS Formatted: Font color: Auto
42
43 Section 166.Section 164. Customary laws of the Indigenous Peoples’ of the
44 Cordillera shall be recognized, protected and promoted.
45
46 Section 167.Section 165. The family as the basic unit of society shall be protected.
47
48 Section 168.Section 166. Marriages solemnized in accordance with the
49 indigenous customary laws of the place shall be valid, and the dissolution of
50 such marriages in accordance with these laws shall be recognized.
Page 51 of 55
1
2 Section 169.Section 167. The primacy of customary laws in the settlement of
3 disputes shall be recognized and respected. The same may apply to disputes
4 involving non-indigenous peoples (non-IPs) or persons belonging to different IP
5 groups.
6
7 The Autonomous Region of the Cordillera shall study the strengthening of tribal
8 courts in accordance with the customary laws, justice systems and traditions
9 of the Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous PeoplesICCs/IPs in the
10 Autonomous Region of the Cordillera.19
11
12 Section 170.Section 168. Acquisition and encumbrance of property in
13 accordance with customary laws of the place shall be recognized and
14 protected.
15
16 Section 171.Section 169. Upon agreement of the parties, settlement of disputes
17 involving property rights and ownership shall be governed by the customary
18 laws of the place where the property is located.
19
20 ARTICLE XVIII: AMENDMENTS OR REVISIONS Formatted: Font color: Auto
21
22 Section 172.Section 170. Any amendment to, or revision of this Act may be made
23 by Congress upon recommendation of the majority of all members of the
24 Regional Legislative Assembly subject to mandatory prior public consultation.
25
26 Section 173. Any amendment to or revision of this Organic Act shall
27 become effective when ratified by a majority of the votes cast in a
28 plebiscite called for the purpose which shall be held not earlier than sixty
29 (60) days nor later than ninety (90) days after the approval of such
30 amendment or revisions.
31
32 ARTICLE XIX: TRANSITORY PROVISIONS Formatted: Font color: Auto
33
34 Section 174.Section 171. Coverage of the Plebiscite. The coverage of the
35 plebiscite shall be the provinces of Abra, Apayao, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga,
36 Mountain Province, and the chartered City of Baguio. Any two or more
37 provinces and/or cities voting favorably for this Organic Act in the plebiscite
38 shall comprise the Autonomous Region of the Cordillera while those voting
39 unfavorably for this Organic Act in the plebiscite shall remain within their
40 current region. *(Alternate proposal: Delete underlined portion)
41
42 Section 175.Section 172. Unless otherwise provided by law, the date of election
43 of the first set of officials of the Regional Government shall be in the next local
44 election following the ratification of this Organic Act in the plebiscite.
45 Subsequent elections shall coincide with the nationwide local elections.
46
47 Section 176.Section 173. For purposes of the first regional election, candidates
48 must have actually resided and a registered voter in the region for at least
19
Adopted from the IPLA Output with modifications from Atty. Harriet Abyadang.
Page 52 of 55
1 seven (7) years immediately preceding the election. Provided that they meet
2 all other qualifications and none of the disqualifications under Article V of this
3 Organic Act.
4
5
6 Section 177.Section 174. Except for the regional line agencies, the Cordillera
7 Executive Board, the Cordillera Regional Assembly, and the Cordillera Bodong
8 Administration as a commission, created under Executive Order No. 220, and
9 the Cordillera Regional Development Council created by Executive Order 30
10 after the de-activation of the above-mentioned Cordillera bodies, shall cease
11 to exist immediately upon the assumption of office of the Regional Governor.
12
13 Section 178.Section 175. The seat of the Regional Government of ARC shall be
14 determined by the majority of all members of the Regional Assembly:
15 Provided, however, that the interim seat of the Regional Government shall be
16 in the City of Baguio.
17
18 The amount of Two billion five hundred million (P2,500,000,000) shall be allotted
19 for the construction of the regional government center.
20
21
22 Section 179.Section 176. Within one (1) month from the organization of the
23 Regional Government, an Oversight Committee composed of the executive
24 secretary as Chairperson, the secretary of the Department of Budget and
25 Management, the Cordillera Regional Governor, the presiding officer of the
26 Cordillera Legislative Assembly, two (2) senators to be designated by the
27 Senate President, two (2) representatives to be designated by the Speaker of
28 the House of Representatives, the incumbent Chairperson and Co-
29 Chairperson of the Cordillera Regional Development Council, the Secretary of
30 the Department of the Interior and Local Government, the Chairperson of
31 National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, Secretary of the Department of
32 Environment and Natural Resources and other affected agencies as
33 members, shall be organized for the purpose of supervising the transfer to the
34 autonomous region of such powers and functions vested in it by this Organic
35 Act and the appropriations of the offices or agencies including the transfer of
36 properties, assets and liabilities, and all personnel of the line agencies and
37 government-owned or –controlled corporations that may be absorbed by the
38 Regional Government and, with respect to the latter, also the terms and
39 conditions of their turnover, without diminution of their compensation and
40 other benefits. Provided, the salaries of these absorbed personnel shall
41 continue to be funded by the national government.
42
43 Within six (6) months after its organization, the oversight committee shall submit
44 its report and recommendation to the President of the Philippines who shall act
45 on the report and recommendations within ninety (90) days after receipt
46 thereof: Provided, however, that if the President fails to act within said period,
47 the recommendations of the Oversight Committee shall be deemed
48 approved.
Page 53 of 55
1 The amount of Eighty million pesos (PhP80,000,000.00) shall be allotted to the

2 Regional Government for its initial organizational requirements.
3
4 Section 180.Section 177. Tenure of Civil Service Employees. Except for just cause and
5 after due process, Civil Service officials and employees of the regional line agencies
6 and offices in the region shall not be laid off, dismissed or removed as a result of any
7 reorganization attendant to the establishment of the Autonomous Region of the
8 Cordillera.
9
10 Section 181.Section 178. Over and above [that] the Internal Revenue Allotment
11 regularly given to Local Government Units and appropriations given to
12 regional line agencies, the national government shall continue its annual
13 allotment to the Regional Government. In addition, the national government
14 shall provide the Autonomous Region of the Cordillera an annual assistance of
15 Ten billion pesos (P10,000,000,000.00) for the first five (5) years and Five billion
16 pesos (P5,000,000,000.00) for the next five (5) years to be allocated in the
17 following manner:
18
19 a. Twenty percent (20%) of the annual subsidy for the Regional Government
20 shall be for regional infrastructure, livelihood and revenue generating
21 projects.
22
23 b. Six percent (6%) of the annual subsidy shall remain with the Regional
24 Government as Trust Fund.
25
26 c. The remaining seventy-four percent (74%) of the annual subsidy shall be
27 allocated as follows:
28 i. Twenty-three percent (23%) of the seventy-four percent (74%) shall be
29 divided equally among the Provinces and Highly Urbanized Cities which
30 shall be for infrastructure, livelihood and revenue generating projects.
31 ii. Two percent (2%) of the seventy-four percent (74%) for Component
32 Cities which shall be for infrastructure, livelihood and revenue
33 generating projects.
34 iii. Thirty-five percent (35%) of the seventy-four percent (74%) shall be
35 divided equally among the Municipalities which shall be for
36 infrastructure, livelihood and revenue generating projects.
37 iv. Forty percent (40%) of the seventy-four (74%) shall be divided equally
38 among the barangays for infrastructure, livelihood and revenue
39 generating projects.
40
41 Section 182.Section 179. The share of each local government unit shall be
42 released without need of any further action, directly to the provincial, city,
43 municipal or barangay treasurer, as the case may be on a quarterly basis
44 within five (5) days after the end of each quarter, and which shall not be
45 subject to any lien or hold back that may be imposed by the Regional
46 Government for whatever purpose.
47
48 The Projects shall be in accordance with the Regional and Local Development
49 Plans and Budgets as approved by their respective legislative bodies.
Page 54 of 55
1
2 Section 183.Section 180. Disclosure and transparency. Funds shall be available
3 exclusively for the specific purpose for which they have been appropriated.
4 Any officer of the Autonomous Region of the Cordillera whose duty permits or
5 requires the possession, custody and disbursement of the funds shall be
6 accountable and responsible thereof. Financial records shall be kept, audited
7 and made public annually or as often as maybe necessary.
8
9 Section 184.Section 181. The creation of the Autonomous Region of the
10 Cordillera shall take effect when approved by a majority of the votes cast by
11 the constituent units provided in Section 3, Article II of this Act.
12
13 The amount of Two billion six hundred ninety-five million (P2,695,000,000) as
14 herein appropriated shall be charged against the contingent fund. Any
15 deficiency thereof shall be taken from any available funds of the national
16 government.
17
18 Section 185.Section 182. Any provision or part of this Organic Act found to be
19 invalid or unconstitutional shall not invalidate the provisions or parts thereof not
20 affected thereby.
21
22 Section 186.Section 183. All laws inconsistent with this Organic Act are hereby
23 repealed or modified accordingly.
24
25 Section 187. Creation of a Local Government Center for the Cordillera.
26
27 ARTICLE XX: EFFECTIVITY
28
29 Section 188.Section 184. This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following
30 its complete publication in at least two (2) national newspapers and all local
31 newspapers of general circulation in the autonomous region.
32
33
Page 55 of 55

Working Draft of A Proposed Bill For The Autonomous Region of The Cordilleras

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Working Draft of A Proposed Bill For The Autonomous Region of The Cordilleras

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WORKING DRAFT AS OF JULY 18, 2019

1 AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE AUTONOMOUS REGION OF THE CORDILLERA (ARC)

39 ARTICLE III: DECLARATION OF POLICIES AND PRINCIPLES

1 Section 6. Equitable share in the National Budget and Development

1 and exploitation which are harmful to their moral, physical, or mental

1 Section 26. Powers of the Autonomous Region of the Cordillera. The

32 Section 30. General Supervision. The President shall exercise general

1 incorporated in the general budget of the Autonomous Region of the

6 a. Rights of Personnel of Devolved Agencies

12 b. The Role of National Government

1 ARTICLE V: ELECTIVE OFFICIALS OF THE AUTONOMOUS REGION OF THE

10 a. Candidates for Regional Governor and Vice-Governor positions must be

22 Section 45. Disqualifications. The following persons are disqualified from

4 a. The Regional Governor and Vice-Governor shall be elected at large by

37 Section 48. Oath of Office. The Regional Governor, Vice-Governor and

40 “I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully and conscientiously

1 myself to the service of the nation and the Autonomous Region of

4 Section 49. Prohibitions

38 Section 50. Vacancies and Succession

39 a. In the event that the position of the Regional Governor becomes

1 b. If the position of the Regional Vice-Governor becomes permanently

25 a. When the Regional Governor is temporarily incapacitated to perform his

1 d. In the event, however, that the Regional Governor concerned fails or

31 Leaves of absence of elective officials of the Autonomous Region of the

33 a. Leaves of absence of regional officials, provincial governor, mayor of a

1 a. Unless otherwise provided by law or regional ordinance, the Regional

19 Section 57.Section 56. Accountability

20 a. Disclosure. All regional officials shall, upon their assumption of office,

32 c. Recall. Regional Elective Officials may be recalled on grounds and

37 ARTICLE VI: THE REGIONAL EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT

1 agencies. They shall receive compensation, allowances and other

5 The qualifications of regional appointive officials, their duties and functions,

7 (1) Regional Executive Secretary

8 a. The Regional Executive Secretary of the Autonomous Region of the

1 11. Provide consultative, research, fact-finding and advisory service

18 a. The Regional Accountant shall be a citizen of the Philippines and a

1 9. Maintain individual ledgers for officials and employees of the

13 a. The Regional Budget Officer shall be a citizen of the Philippines and a

44 a. The Regional Administrator shall be a citizen of the Philippines and a

1 preferably in law, public administration or any other related course from

38 a. The Regional Legal Officer shall be a citizen of the Philippines and a

1 vii. Review and submit recommendations on ordinances approved

5 a. The Regional Treasurer shall be a citizen of the Philippines and a

29 a. The Regional General Services Officer shall be a citizen of the Philippines

1 2. Develop plans and strategies and upon approval thereof by the

44 a. The Regional Planning and Development Officer shall be a citizen of

1 economics, public administration, or any related course from a

6 The appointment of a planning and development coordinator shall

8 b. The planning and development officer shall take charge of the

10 1. Formulate integrated economic, social, physical, and other

20 a. Coordinate the preparation, implementation, monitoring and

1 g. As required by the Investment Coordinating Committee (ICC), review

1 Section 72.Section 71. Presiding Officer. The Regional Vice-Governor shall

30 ARTICLE VIII: THE REGIONAL LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY

1 b. IIndigenous Peoples mandatory representative, who shall be selected from

1 preparation and publication of its journal, the determination of quorum,

1 procedure. The rights and dignity of persons appearing in or affected by

1 denomination, sectarian institution, or system of religion or for the use,

1 Section 91.Section 90. Review of Ordinances by the Regional Legislative

1 Section 93.Section 92. Autonomous Region of the Cordillera Development

1 ARTICLE X: ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES5 Formatted: Font color: Text 1

15 The National Government, through the Department of Energy, and the

19 The Department of Energy and the Regional Govern Autonomous Region of