Section 27. Government Use of Electronic Data Messages, Electronic Documents and Electronic Signatures. — Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, within two (2) years from the date of the effectivity of this Act, all departments, bureaus, offices and agencies of the government, as well as all government-owned and -controlled corporations, that pursuant to law require or accept the filing of documents, require that documents be created, or retained and/or submitted, issue permits, licenses or certificates of registration or approval, or provide for the method and manner of payment or settlement of fees and other obligations to the government, shall —

1. accept the creation, filing or retention of such documents in the form or electronic data messages or electronic documents;

2. issue permits, licenses, or approval in the form of electronic data messages or electronic documents;

3. require and/or accept payments, and issue receipts acknowledging such payments, through systems using electronic data messages or electronic documents; or

4. transact the government business and/or perform governmental functions using electronic data messages or electronic documents, and for the purpose, are authorized to adopt and promulgate, after appropriate public hearing and with due publication in newspapers of general circulation, the appropriate rules, regulations, or guidelines, to among others, specify —

   1. the manner and format in which such electronic data messages or electronic documents shall be filed, created, retained or issued;

   2. where and when such electronic data messages or electronic documents have to be signed, the use of an electronic signature, the type of electronic signature required;

   3. the format of an electronic data message or electronic document and the manner the electronic signature shall be affixed to the electronic data message or electronic document;

   4. the control processes and procedures as appropriate to ensure adequate integrity, security and confidentiality of electronic data messages or electronic documents or records or payments;

   5. other attributes required of electronic data messages or electronic documents or payments; and

   6. the full or limited use of the documents and papers for compliance with the government requirements: Provided, That this Act shall by itself mandate any department of the government, organ of state or statutory corporation to accept or issue any document in the form of electronic data messages or electronic documents upon the adoption, promulgation and publication of the appropriate rules, regulations, or guidelines.