REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
1660

House Bill No.

Introduced by MAGDALO Party-List Representative
HON. MANUEL DG. CABOCHAN II

EXPLANATORY NOTE
Section 10, Article XIV of the Constitution provides that,

"Science and Technology are essential for national development and
progress. The State shall give priority to research and development,
invention, innovation, and their utilization to science and technology
education, training and services. It shall support indigenous appropriate
and self- reliant scientific and technological capabilities and their
application to the country's capabilities and their application to the
productive system and national life. "

At present, we are too dependent on imported crude oil for our entire energy needs. Other
sources of energy such as hydroelectric and geothermal energy are not enough to supply our
energy needs. There is, therefore, a need to explore and develop other alternative sources of
energy in order to solve our current energy crisis.

Being a tropical country, the Philippines is blessed with abundant sunlight which can be
tapped as an inexhaustible, cheap, and environmentally safe source of energy. As compared
to other conventional fuel, solar energy merely harnesses the heat of the sun; hence, it does
‘not pollute the air nor the sea.

This bill seeks to establish the solar energy development authority. Since solar energy is a
relatively new technology in the country, its potential use as an economical, safe and efficient
energy source is generally unknown to the consuming public. It is therefore, necessary to
create a government entity that would initiate and promote public acceptance of this new
technology. It is envisioned that with solar energy, people will be more conscious of
protecting their environment.

Hence, approval ofthis bill is earnestly requested.

MANUE} CHAN LIL
Representatin
Magdalo Para sa Pilipino Party-List


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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 1660

Introduced by MAGDALO Party-List Representative
HON. MANUEL DG. CABOCHAN DI

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE SOLAR ENERGY DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

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

SECTION 1. There is hereby created the Solar Energy Development Authority
hereinafter referred to as the "Authority" which shall undertake to do researches and promote
the development and utilization of the solar energy.

SEC. 2. The powers and functions of the Authority shall be vested in a Board of
Directors consisting of a Chairman and four (4) members who shall be appointed by the
President of the Philippines with the consent of the Commission on Appointments. The
chairman and the two (2) members shall serve for a term of four (4) years, while the
remaining two (2) members shall be an ex-officio members, who shall be composed of the
Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources and the Secretary of Science and
Technology. They shall receive compensation as may be fixed by the President of the
Philippines which shall not exceed with those given to Commissioners of a Constitutional
Body. No person shall be appointed Chairman or members of the board unless he is a natural
born Filipino citizen at least thirty (30) years of age, of good moral character, and must be of
recognized competence in the fields of science and technology.

SEC. 3. The Board of Directors shall have the following duties and responsibilities
a) Prepare and issue rules and regulations as it considers necessary for the effective
discharge of its function

b) Direct the management, operations, and administration of the authority;


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Adopt and use corporate seal;

d) Make contracts;

©) Sue and be sued;

£) Appoint such officers and employees as are not otherwise provided for in this Act,
to define their duties, fix their compensation, discipline, and dismiss anyone of
them for cause, subject to the Civil Service Commission rules and regulations; and

g) Exercise such incidental powers as shall be necessary to carryon the functions of

the authority.

SEC. 4. The Authority shall have the following powers and functions:
a) Conduct extensive research on alternative sources of energy;
b

Formulate a comprehensive policy for the research, development, and utilization
of alternative sources of energy;
°)

Implement the government program on the allocation, distribution, and sale of
alternative sources of energy;
d

Perform such other powers and functions as may be necessary to carry out the
provisions of this Act.

SEC. 5. The chairman shall be the Chief Operating Officer. In case of absence or
whenever the Chairman is unable to act, the Board shall designate who among its members
shall act as the Chairman.

SEC. 6, The amount necessary for the effective implementation of this Act shall be
charged to the appropriation for the Department of Science and Technology under the current
General Appropriation Act. Thereafter such sum as may be necessary for continuous
operation of the Authority shall be included in the annual General Appropriation Act.

SEC. 7. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official
Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,