EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session
SENATE
S. No. 
48
if, 
Senate
of W)1' Sv'crM nrj*
'19 Jli -1 All ^2
Introduced by Senator Ralph G. Recto
REC;;
AN ACT
REDUCING THE COST OF ELECTRICITY EOR NA FIONAL GO\ ERNMENT 
OFFICES BY PROMOTING THE DE\ ELOPMENT AND UTILIZATION OF SOLAR 
ENERGY IN ALL GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS AND OFFICES. PROVIDING FUNDS 
THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Explanatory Note
Energy security is a crucial factor in achieving economic development of the society. The 
Philippine government is hard-pressed to fulfill its commitments to de-carbonize the energy 
industry for 450 Scenario1, achieve energy independenee and pursue higher electrification rates, 
even as the population continues to grow at an average of 1.66 percent in 2010 to 2020 and 1.31 
percent in 2020 to 2030.2
Additional pressure comes from rising price of oil worldwide, sinee oil and other fossil 
fuels will continue to account significantly for our energy consumption until 2020.3 The 
International Energy Agency has predicted world price at USD 128 a barrel in 2035.4 
Meanwhile, the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) Reference Basket 
projects an average nominal price of USD 110 a barrel up to the year 2020 and then rise to USD 
160 by 2035.5
This proposed measure seeks to mandate the Department of Public Works and Highways 
(DPWH), in coordination with the Department of Energy (DOE), to construct Renewable Energy 
(RE) Systems in and retrofit government buildings and offices, by installing Solar Energy 
Systems. Solar Energy is the most abundant renewable energy (RE) resouree that ean be installed 
to generate power at a faster rate. This is in contrast to fossil fuel-based power plants that need a 
minimum of three to five years gestation period.
The solar energy systems to be established shall initially supply at least ten percent of the 
electric power requirements of the government agencies in their respective buildings or offices, 
which shall be gradually increased annually for five years until the established solar energy 
systems are expected to supply fifty percent of the power requirements of all government 
agencies.
According to the RE resource assessment conducted by the DoE, the country’s Solar 
Energy annual potential average is estimated at 5.1 kilowatt-hour (kWh)/m2/day6, which 
represents fuel input that is free-of-eharge and will not affect our foreign currency reserves as 
imported petroleum and other fossil fuels do. In addition, the production and installation of
1 International Energy Ageney World Energy Outlook 450 Scenario
2 Philippine Statistics Authority
3 Department of Energy Supply - Demand Outlook 2013-2020
4 lEA 2035 Energy Outlook
5 OPEC Reference Basket [Saharan Blend (Algeria), Girassol (Angola), Oriente (Ecuador), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic of 
Iran), Basra Light (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Es Sidcr (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Qatar Marine (Qatar), Arab Light 
(Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and Mercy (Venezuela)]
6 Department of Energy Renewable Energy: Biomass, Solar, Wind and Ocean http://www.doe.gov.pli/rcncwablc-encrgy- 
rcs/biomass-solar-wind-and-ocean


materials and equipment for use in solar energy systems ineur minimal environmental and 
physieal impaets.
Solar energy systems do not require extraction activities like large-scale mining or 
drilling whieh bring about negative environmental impaets. It does not generate Greenhouse 
Gases sueh as earbon and methane nor emit partieulates that are the bane of fossil fuels. Most 
important, solar panels ean be installed on rooftops and designated areas without disrupting 
activities or disloeating electrie power consumers. 
Solar energy systems also generate 
substantial savings versus fossil-fueled power plants whose feed stocks have to be transported 
over long distanees for which generators ineur transport or hauling costs.
This bill also creates opportunities for employment in tenns of new jobs generated and 
enhaneed skills of Filipino labor in the RE industry that will push their eompetitive edge 
worldwide. The Feed-In-Tariff policy has reportedly attraeted $800 Million in direct investments 
in the RE industry and has resulted in the creation of 3,500 new Jobs.
Likewise, this bill will provide the impetus for the eountry to reaeh its target RE 
utilization of 15,304 MW in 2030, from the current 5,438 MW RE utilization. Tapping 
renewable energy for government buildings will encourage others to explore the use of solar 
energy systems whieh can effectively reduce utility costs and carbon footprint.
Hence, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
/t'nipc


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session
SENATE
S. No. 
48
of t'lr ^ .'( ir ta r f
'19 JUL -1 All 42
Introduced by Senator Ralph G. Recto
R L C i. •..) ^
AN ACT
REDUCING THE COST OF ELECTRICITY FOR NATIONAL GOVERNMENT 
Oi l ICES BY PROMOTING THE DE\ ELOPMENT AND UTILIZATION OF SOLAR 
ENERGY IN ALL GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS AND OFFICES. PROMDING FUNDS 
THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled:
1 
SECTION 1. 
Title. -  This Act shall be known as “The Solar Energy in National
2 
Government Offices Act”.
3 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policies. -  It is hereby declared the policy of the State:
4 
a) To mandate the development and utilization of renewable energy resources in
5 
government buildings and offices;
6 
b) To establish the infrastructure and mechanisms to ensure efficient, cost-effective and
7 
sustainable supply of power from solar energy systems; and
8 
c) To ensure energy-sufficiency of government agencies for the prompt and unhampered
9 
delivery of services to its constituents.
10 
SEC. 3. Coverage. -  This Act shall provide a framework for the establishment of solar
11 
energy systems in all national government buildings and offices.
12 
SEC. 4. Establishment of Solar Energy Systems in National Government Buildings and
13 
Offices. -  All government agencies in coordination with the Department of Public Works and
14 
Highways (DPWH) and the Department of Energy (DOE) shall begin the construction of solar
15 
energy systems in and retrofit their respective buildings and offices within sixty (60) days after
16 
the effectivity of this Act: Provided, That Solar Energy Systems shall refer to energy systems
17 
which convert solar energy into thennal or electrical energy.
18 
SEC. 5. General Guidelines. -  For the purposes of this Act, the following are the General
19 
Guidelines for solar energy systems in national government buildings and offices:
20 
a) Establishment and constnaction shall immediately commence to supply power to
21 
government buildings or offices;
Page 1 o f2


1 
b) The Department of Finance shall apply the appropriate provisions of Chapter Vll
2 
General Incentives of Republic Act No. 9513 or the Renewable Energy Act of 2008
3 
to the RE Systems to be established and constructed for government agencies; and
4 
c) Government agencies shall enjoy the privileges granted to qualified end-users as
5 
certified by the DOE-Renewable Energy Management Bureau, as provided for in
6 
Sections 10 and 12 of R. A. No. 9513.
7 
SEC. 6. Minimum Standard. -  The solar energy systems to be established shall initially
8 
supply at least ten per cent (10%) of the electric power requirements of the government agencies
9 
in their respective buildings or offices for the first year after the effectivity of this Act: Provided,
10 
That solar energy utilization shall be increased annually for five years at which time the
11 
established solar energy systems are expected to have the capacity to supply fifty percent (50%)
12 
of the power requirements of government agencies: Provided, further. That nothing in this Act
13 
shall preclude the expansion of existing solar energy systems installed in government buildings
14 
and offices.
15 
SEC. 7. Funding. -  The amount necessary for the immediate implementation of this Act
16 
shall be charged against any available funds of the government agencies covered in this Act.
17 
Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary to implement this Act shall be included in the
18 
General Appropriations Act (GAA).
19 
SEC 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. -  The DOE shall provide the necessary
20 
implementing rules and regulations for the effective implementation within thirty (30) days upon
21 
the approval of this Act. Such rules and regulations shall take effect after they have been issued
22 
and shall be published in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
23 
SEC. 9. Separability Clause. -  Any portion or provision of this Act that may be declared
24 
unconstitutional or invalid shall not have the effect of nullifying other portions or provisions
25 
hereof, as long as such remaining portions or provisions can still subsist and be given effect in
26 
their entirety.
27 
SEC. 10. Repealing Clause. -  All laws, acts, decrees, executive orders, issuances, and
28 
rules and regulations or parts thereof which are contrary to and inconsistent with this Act are
29 
hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.
30 
SEC. 11. Effectivity. - 
This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its
31 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation or in the Official Gazette.
Approved,
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