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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
1st Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ________ 
___________________________________________________________________ 
Introduced by Rep. JOHNNY PIMENTEL 
EXPLANATORY   NOTE 
The Constitution mandates that Armed Forces of the Philippines  is the 
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protector of the people and the State. It is tasked with the lofty duty to secure 
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the sovereignty of the State and the integrity of the national territory. 
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Part and parcel of these territories to which the Philippines exercise sovereignty 
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are the territorial seas (12 nautical miles from the shores baseline) and the 
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Exclusive Economic Zones (200 nautical miles from the shores baselines). 
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Philippines, being the second largest archipelago in the world,  is virtually 
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surrounded by bodies of water in all directions. Fundamental is the task of 
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strengthening the capacity, capability and operational readiness of the 
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Philippine navy in addressing threats emanating from these waters. 
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Recently, our Navy has released its Strategic Basing Plan of 2040 identifying 
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small – scale naval and military facilities where the it can carry out its 
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constitutionally-mandated duty and also can serve as a potential sites for future 
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upgrade and expansion for national security purposes. Twelve key sites were 
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identified in strategic locations around the Philippines. 
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However, budgetary constraints have caused the slow implementation of this 
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crucial undertaking by our navy. Be it as it may, the present international 
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situation requires a decisive implementation considering the situation and 
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various incidents occurring in the waters of the West Philippine Sea. 
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In keeping with our policy in modernizing the Armed Forces and ensuring that 
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they are provided their needs to fulfill their fundamental duties, the passage of 
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this bill is earnestly sought. 
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HON. JOHNNY PIMENTEL 
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July 11, 2022
2:45 pm
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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
1st Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ________ 
___________________________________________________________________ 
Introduced by Rep. JOHNNY PIMENTEL 
“AN ACT INSTITUTIONALIZING THE PHILIPPINE NAVY FORWARD 
OPERATING BASES, APPROPRIATING FUNDS FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT 
THEREOF, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES”  
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. DECLARATION OF POLICY. – The Armed Forces of the 
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Philippines (AFP) is the protector of the people and the State. The goal of the AFP is 
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to secure the sovereignty of the State and the integrity of the national territory. 
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The State likewise recognizes the mission of the Philippine Navy, as a branch 
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of the AFP, to organize, train, equip, maintain, develop and deploy forces for the 
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prompt and sustained naval and maritime operations in support of the United 
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Commands in the accomplishment of the AFP mission. 
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It is the policy of the State to modernize the AFP to a level where it can 
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effectively and fully perform its constitutional mandate to uphold the sovereignty and 
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preserve the patrimony of the Republic of the Philippines. 
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In order to effectively carry out its mandate, the establishment of Forward 
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Operating Bases (FOBs) in the sites identified by the Philippine Navy is hereby 
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pursued by the State. 
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SEC. 2. DEFINITION OF TERMS. – For the purpose of this Act, the following 
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terms shall mean: 
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A. Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) – It shall refer to a small – scale
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naval and military facility or outpost where the Philippine Navy can
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carry out its basic functions and duties and which can serve as a
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potential site for future upgrade and expansion, for national security
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purposes.
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B. Strategic Basing Plan 2040 – It shall refer to the existing plan
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identified by the Philippine Navy Directorate for Real Estate
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Management as priority sites throughout the country.
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SEC. 3. PRIORITY SITES. – The strategic locations identified by the Philippine 
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Navy Directorate for Real Estate Management as priority sites in its Strategic Basing 
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Plan 2040 by reason of its strategic location shall serve as the sites of the FOBs. 
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These sites include and shall be limited to the following: 
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1. Busuanga, Palawan; 
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2. Subic Bay, Zambales; 
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3. Mavulis Island, Batanes; 
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4. Lubang Island, Mindoro; 
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5. Surigao, Surigao del Norte; 
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6. Allen, Northern Samar; 
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7. Polilio Island, Quezon; 
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8. Bicobian, Divilacan, Isabela; 
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9. Casiguran, Auroro; 
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10. Sarangani, Davao Occidental’ 
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11. Balabac, Palawan; and 
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12. Mapun, Tawi-tawi 
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SEC. 4. PREPARATION OF THE MASTERPLAN. – Within 60 days from the 
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implementation of this Act, upon the recommendation of the Secretaries of National 
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Defense and Budget and Management, the Masterplan shall be submitted by the 
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Philippine Navy for the approval of the President of the Philippines. 
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SEC. 5. FUNDING. – An initial appropriation of Five Billion Pesos 
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(Php5,000,000,000.00) shall be allocated for the initial budgetary requirements of this 
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Act. Thereafter, such amount as may be necessary for the implementation of the 
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Masterplan as provided for in this Act shall be included in the annual General 
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Appropriations Act (GAA) of the Philippine Navy. 
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SEC. 6. SEPARABILITY CLAUSE. – If any portion or provision of this Act is 
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declared unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity and effectivity of the 
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other provisions not affected thereby. 
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SEC. 7. REPEALING CLAUSE. -  All laws, presidential decrees, letters of 
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instructions, executive orders, rules, regulations, and other issuances or parts thereof 
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which are contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby revoked, 
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repealed, amended or modified accordintly. 
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SEC. 8. EFFECTIVITY CLAUSE. – This act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
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following the completion of its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least one (1) 
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newspaper of general circulation. 
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Approved
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