AN ACT INSTITUTING THE NEW GIRL SCOUTS OF THE PHILIPPINES CHARTER, PENALIZING VIOLATIONS THEREOF AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Fourteenth Congress

Third Regular Session

Begun and held in Metro Manila, on Monday, the twenty-seventh day of July, two thousand nine.

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10073

AN ACT INSTITUTING THE NEW GIRL SCOUTS OF THE PHILIPPINES CHARTER, PENALIZING VIOLATIONS THEREOF AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known and cited as the "Girl Scouts of the Philippines Charter of 2009".

Section 2. Declaration of Principles and State Policies. - The State recognizes the vital role of the youth in nation building. To this end, the State affirms the contribution of the Girl Scouts of the Philippines to the promotion of positive values, responsible citizenship and volunteerism to young women through its faithful adherence to the fundamental principles of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, an internationally recognized organization.

Section 3. Recognition of the Girl Scouts of the Philippines. - Pursuant to the ideals of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS), the "Girl Scouts of the Philippines", hereinafter referred to as the "GSP", is hereby recognized and known as the body corporate as originally and duly created by virtue of Commonwealth Act No. 542. The principal office of the GSP shall be located in Metropolitan Manila, Philippines.

Section 4. Corporate Powers. - As a juridical entity, the GSP shall have perpetual succession and shall enjoy the following corporate powers:

Section 5. Vision and Mission. - The GSP envisions the Filipino girl and young woman as God-loving, patriotic, progressive, dynamic and proactive. The mission of the GSP is to help girls and young women realize the ideals of womanhood and prepare themselves for their responsibilities in the home, the nation and the world community. To carry out its mission, the GSP shall be the sole directing and coordinating head of the Girl Scouts Movement in the Philippines, and shall establish and maintain standards which will inspire every generation with the highest ideals of citizenship, character, conduct and attainment of international understanding.

Section 6. Nature and Purpose. - The GSP is an independent and voluntary, nonstock, nonprofit, nonsectarian, nonpolitical entity which shall willingly cooperate with other persons, natural and juridical, public and private, whose ideals and procedures are in accord with those conferred or authorized by this Act.

Section 7. Central Board. -

Section 8. National Executive Committee. - There shall be a National Executive Committee which shall be responsible for implementing the policies and decisions of the National Council and the Central Board. The National Executive Committee shall be composed of all the officers and chairpersons of standing committees, as defined in the bylaws.

Section 9. National Council. - There shall be a National Council which shall serve as a forum for guidelines, directions and evaluation of the Girl Scout Movement. It shall he composed of the members of the Central Board and the Presidents of the Girl Scout Councils or their duly designated representatives, and such number of elected delegates from each council as may be prescribed in the bylaws.

The National Council shall convene once every three (3) years in a convention assembled for the purpose. Special conventions may be called. The number of delegates to constitute a quorum in both conventions, as well as the time, place and manner of holding the same shall be prescribed in the bylaws.

The National Council shall elect the Members-at-Large of the Central Board; ratify amendments to the Constitution and bylaws of the Girl Scouts of the Philippines by a vote or assent of two-thirds (2/3) of its members present and voting; serve as a forum for guidelines, policies and directions; and consider such matters as may come before the convention.

Section 10. Girl Scout Symbols/Trademarks. -

Section 11. Fiscal Incentives. - All provisions of law to the contrary notwithstanding, the GSP shall be entitled to the following tax and duty incentives and privileges:

Section 12. Penal Clause. -

Section 13. Transitory Provision. - Until such time as the reorganization and restructuring of the Central Board in accordance with Section 7 hereof, the present administrative structure shall be maintained for purposes of conducting the affairs of the GSP and performing acts necessary to effect its reorganization within six (6) months from the effectivity of this Act.

Section 14. Dissolution. - In the event that the GSP is dissolved in any manner as provided for by law, the incumbent Central Board at the time of such dissolution shall, for purposes consistent with this Act, organize and form a Girl Scouts of the Philippines Foundation, in which favor the properties and assets of the GSP shall be conveyed and transferred.

Section 15. Repealing Clause. - Commonwealth Act No. 542, as amended, and all other laws, decrees, presidential issuances, proclamations and administrative rules and regulations inconsistent with or contrary to the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

Section 16. Separability Clause. - If any of the provisions of this Act is declared void or unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect.

Section 17. Effectively. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,

This Act which is a consolidation of House Bill No. 6025 and Senate Bill No. 3298 was finally passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate on January 26, 2010.

Approved: APR 20 2010

(Sgd.) GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO
President of the Philippines