Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

TWENTIETH CONGRESS

First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 3942

Introduced by the Honorable ANIELA BIANCA D. TOLENTINO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Section 16, Article II of our Constitution declares it as a policy of the country
that: “The State shall protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and
healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature.” While in the
landmark case of Oposa v. Factoran (G.R. No. 101083, July 30, 1993) the Supreme
Court stated that: “The right to a balanced and healthful ecology carries with it the
correlative duty to refrain from impairing the environment.”

These concepts carried in our fundamental law and concreted in our
jurisprudence support legislation for the use of renewable sources of energy and that
the government should be at the forefront of the effort to utilize more sustainable
power resources. In this regard, it is just proper to require all government offices,
infrastructures, buildings and activities to make use of solar power as its source of
electricity.

It is of public knowledge that solar energy is a renewable source of energy and
its use is much more compliant to the balanced and healthful ecology cause in our
Constitution. Studies have shown that the use of solar energy for electricity is more
environment-friendly. As such, the bill proposed herein or the Solar Energy in
Government Infrastructures and Offices Act or the “SEGIO Law” will be the trigger in
the efforts of the country to further preserve the environment.

Further, the Department of Energy will be the lead agency in the
implementation of the SEGIO Law as it is the office with primary jurisdiction over
matters concerning energy. This representation believes that the task establishing


solar energy resources in all government facilities will be more laser-focused if the
DOE will take lead.

The task of preserving and taking care of the environment is an obligation of
all Filipinos as what the Supreme Court highlighted in Oposa v. Factoran, to wit:
“Needless to say, every generation has a responsibility to the next to preserve that
rhythm and harmony for the full enjoyment of a balanced and healthful ecology.”

For the Filipino people, approval of the foregoing bill is earnestly being sought.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
TWENTIENTH CONGRESS

First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. _3942

Introduced by the Honorable ANIELA BIANCA D. TOLENTINO

AN ACT PROMOTING AND MANDATING THE USE SOLAR ENERGY IN ALL
GOVERNMENT INFRASTRUCTURE, BUILDING, AND OFFICES IN THE
PHILIPPINES AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR,

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 as the Solar Energy in
Government Infrastructures and Offices Act or the “ SEGIO Law.”

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. — \t is hereby declared a policy of the State to
establish infrastructure and systems to ensure the efficient and sustainable source of
energy from solar power systems. The State hereby mandates the development and
use of solar energy in all government offices, buildings, infrastructures, and activities.

SECTION 3. General Principles. — For purposes of implementing and executing
the provisions of this Act, the following principles must be upheld:

a) As far as practicable, immediately establish and construct solar energy systems
in all government offices, buildings, infrastructures, and offices.

b) As far as practicable, require all government offices, agencies and
instrumentalities to source its electricity from sources which derive power from
solar energy.


c) Within the first three (3) years from the approval of this Act, at least twenty
percent (20%) of the energy source of government offices, buildings, and
infrastructures must be from solar power.

d) After five (5) years from the approval of this Act, at least fifty percent (50%)
of the energy source of government offices, buildings, and infrastructures must
be from solar power.

e) Health and defense offices, buildings, and infrastructures

SECTION 4. Lead Agency. — The Department of Energy (DOE) shall be the lead
government office which will implement this Act. The DOE shall ensure that all
government offices, buildings, infrastructures, and activities must use solar energy as
electricity source.

SECTION 5. Appropriations. An initial amount of Two Billion Pesos
(P2,000,000,000.00) shall be appropriated for the implementation of this Act.
Thereafter, such amounts necessary for the completion and implementation of this
Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SECTION 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations, — Within thirty (30) days
from the approval of this Act, the Department of Energy, in coordination with the
Office of the President, Department of Environment and Natural Resources,
Department of Science and Technology, and the Department of Interior and Local
Government shall issue the implementing rules and regulations necessary for the
implementation of this Act.

SECTION 7. Separability Clause. - Should any provision herein be declared
unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity of the other provisions of this
Act.

SECTION 8. Repealing Clause. — Ail laws, executive orders, presidential decrees,
tules and regulation or part thereof inconsistent with any provisions of this Act are
hereby repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.

SECTION 9. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,