Rebates for Long-time Members.
SEC. 54. Rebates for Long-time Members. – In recognition of the contribution of long-time members to the OWWA Fund, the OWWA shall develop and implement a program for the grant of rebates or some form of financial assistance to OFWs who have been members of the OWWA for at least ten (10) years and who, along with their families, have not availed of any service or benefit from the OWWA. The provision and the amount of rebates shall be based on actuarial study commissioned by the OWWA for this purpose.
Procurement System.
SEC. 55. Procurement System. – The OWWA procurement system shall be governed by Republic Act No. 9184, also known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”.
Exemption from Tax, Legal Process and Lien.
SEC. 56. Exemption from Tax, Legal Process and Lien. – All laws to the contrary notwithstanding, the OWWA and all its assets and properties, all contributions collected and all accruals thereto and income or investment earnings therefrom as well as all supplies, equipment, papers or documents shall be exempt from any tax, assessment, fee, charge, or customs or import duty. All benefit payments made by the OWWA shall likewise be exempt from all kinds of taxes, fees or charges, and shall not be liable to attachments, garnishments, levy or seizure by or under any legal or equitable process, either before or after receipt by the person or persons entitled thereto, except to pay any debt of the member to the OWWA. No tax measure of whatever nature enacted shall apply to the OWWA, unless this section is expressly, specifically and categorically revoked or repealed by law and a provision is enacted to substitute or replace the exemption referred to herein. Any tax assessment imposed against the OWWA shall be null and void.
Transitory Provision.
SEC. 57. Transitory Provision. – All facilities, equipment, supplies, records, files, appropriations and funds under the OWWA, as organized under Letter of Instruction No. 537 and Presidential Decree No. 1694, as amended by Presidential Decree No. 1809, and renamed under Executive Order No. 126, series of 1987, shall remain with the OWWA.
Current officials and employees of the OWWA shall continue to draw their salaries, benefits and emoluments from the OWWA Fund until such time, but not later than one (1) year from the effectivity of this Act, that the corresponding funds from the National Government shall have been appropriated and released to the OWWA.
Implementing Rules and Regulations.
SEC. 58. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – Within ninety (90) days from the effectivity of this Act, the present OWWA Board shall promulgate the rules and regulations implementing the provisions of this Act. The implementing rules and regulations issued pursuant to this section shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
Separability Clause.
SEC. 59. Separability Clause. – If any provision of this Act is declared unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provision not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect.
Repealing Clause.
SEC. 60. Repealing Clause. – Letter of Instruction No. 537, Presidential Decree No. 1694 and Presidential Decree No. 1809 are hereby repealed. All other laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are likewise repealed.
Effectivity.
SEC. 61. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,
(Sgd.) FRANKLIN M. DRILON
President of the Senate
(Sgd.) FELICIANO BELMONTE JR.
Speaker of the House
of Representatives
This Act which is a consolidation of House Bill No. 4990 and Senate Bill No. 2955 was finally passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate on February 2, 2016.
(Sgd.) OSCAR G. YABES
Secretary of the Senate
(Sgd.) MARILYN B. BARUA-YAP
Secretary General
House of Representatives
Approved: MAY 10 2016
(Sgd.) BENIGNO S. AQUINO III
President of the Philippines
Source: Supreme Court E-Library, Republic of the Philippines. Philippine laws are public documents (works of the government).
