QuestionsQuestions (Republic Act No. 9242)
RA 9242 declares it is the policy of the State to instill patriotism and nationalism among the people—especially public officials and employees—ensure loyalty to the Republic and the Filipino people, promote preferential use of locally manufactured goods that utilize local resources, and adopt measures to make them competitive to generate wider employment and greater benefits to the country.
RA 9242 defines tropical fabrics as fabrics containing natural fibers produced, spun, woven or knitted, and finished in the Philippines.
RA 9242 applies to the official uniforms of government officials and employees, and to purposes that require the use of fabrics in government offices and functions.
It requires that Philippine tropical fabrics used for uniforms of government officials and employees and for other government purposes shall be purchased from local sources in accordance with law.
The Civil Service Commission (CSC), in coordination with the Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and in consultation with the concerned private sector.
The IRR must be consistent with the viable development plan for the sector.
For initial implementation, P60 Million shall be provided from the Agricultural and Fisheries Modernization Act Fund and allotted to the Fiber Industry Development Authority (FIDA) of the Department of Agriculture (DA) for promotion of commercial production of plant fibers and continuing research on improving the extraction process of plant fibers.
After initial implementation, the amount necessary for continued implementation shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.
The Civil Service Commission, in coordination with DA, DOST, and DTI, must submit an annual report to the Civil Service Committees of both Houses of Congress on or before the end of December of every year.
RA 9242’s separability clause states that if any part of the Act is declared unconstitutional, the remaining parts not affected thereby continue to be valid and operational.
It provides that all laws, decrees, orders, circulars, rules, regulations, and other issuances inconsistent with RA 9242 are repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.
It takes effect fifteen (15) days from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette or at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
CSC (IRR promulgation and annual reporting), DA (coordination for IRR; FIDA funding; annual reporting coordination), DOST (coordination for IRR and annual reporting), DTI (coordination for IRR and annual reporting), and FIDA (recipient of initial P60M for promotion and research).
It covers purposes that require the use of fabrics in government offices and functions, not limited strictly to uniforms.
RA 9242 links instilling patriotism and nationalism with a procurement preference: it prescribes the use of Philippine tropical fabrics and mandates purchase from local sources, thereby promoting locally manufactured goods using local resources.
While RA 9242 does not expressly state “supremacy,” by its terms it mandates specific policy, definitions, usage, and purchase requirements. IRR must implement the Act consistent with the development plan; thus any IRR conflicting with RA 9242’s statutory commands would be invalid to the extent of the inconsistency.