EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
F irst R e g u la r S ession
]
SENATE
S.B. No. 917
S e n a te
ef tv VfcrrUrj>
*19 AUG 19 PI 35
RECEIVi D f f i i
In tro d u c e d  by SEN. WIN GATCHALIAN
AN ACT
CREATING THE PHILIPPINE RISE DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY, 
DEFINING ITS POWERS AND FUNCTIONS, PROVIDING FUNDS 
THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
One of the greatest blessings bestowed upon the Filipino people is the 
abundance of ecological diversity and natural wealth found throughout the 
islands and seas of the Philippines. Unfortunately, despite the best efforts of 
m any in advocating for the preservation and responsible development of these 
rich natural resources, our country’s natural wealth has continually declined 
due to u n ju st exploitation and, at times, pure negligence.
Since the beginning, the Philippine scientific com m unity and the 
Government of the Republic of the Philippines have worked hand-in-hand to 
establish and solidify our claim to sovereign rights over the Philippine Rise 
and the w aters surrounding it. After 11 long years of scientific research and 
international legal advocacy, the United Nations Commission on the Limits of 
the Continental Shelf finally approved the claim of the Philippines in 2012 
and recognized our sovereign rights over 13 million hectares of the Philippine 
Rise region as part of the Philippine Extended Continental Shelf. With 11.4 
million hectares of the Rise already falling within our Exclusive Economic


Zone, this brought the entire 24.4 million hectares of the Rise under our 
jurisdiction.
Truly, the Philippines has been m ade richer by its successful claim over 
the Philippine Rise. The reefscapes and varieties of fish found in the shallower 
Benham  Bank, and throughout the entire Philippine Rise region, are 
im portant for their contributions to m arine biodiversity. This is significant not 
only for ecological purposes, but also for bioprospecting. Meanwhile, the large 
volume of various tu n a species found in the region show cases a huge potential 
for commercial fishing as well.
Last, bu t certainly not least, the seabed of the Philippine Rise holds a 
potentially massive treasure trove of rare and precious m ineral resources, the 
m ost impactful of which may be m ethane gas hydrates which are composed 
of natural gas encased in ice and usually found deep under the ocean in the 
seabed. They are highly touted for their potential as the so-called “fuel of 
tomorrow”.
This m easure takes a responsible, proactive, and forward-looking 
approach to developing the natural resources of the Philippine Rise by 
establishing the institutional m echanism  needed to facilitate a coordinated 
and integrated approach to optimizing the full potential of the Philippine Rise, 
while conserving its ecology and resources for the benefit of future 
generations. This institutional m echanism  comes in the form of the Philippine 
Rise Development Authority (PRDA) -  a coordinating, policymaking, and 
regulatory body which will serve as a sort of “one-stop-shop” for everything 
concerning the Philippine Rise. The 15-member Board of the PRDA will be 
chaired by the President of the Philippines and will include representatives 
from pertinent cabinet departm ents and technical agencies. The num erous 
areas of interest to be covered by the PRDA -  policy form ulation and advocacy, 
coordination 
and 
support 
for 
scientific 
research 
and 
exploration, 
environm ental protection, and investm ents prom otions -  backs up the 
necessity of its creation.
This is a forward-looking piece of legislation th at creates this 
institutional m echanism  now, while the Philippine Rise rem ains pristine and 
undeveloped, so th at we will be prepared to m eet threats of ecological


degradation and irresponsible development when they present them selves in
later years. Its immediate passage is earnestly sought.
:a l ia n


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
]
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
]
F irst R e g u la r Session 
]
SENATE
^ e a a lc
of 
•nrfJnrp
*19 WJS 19 PI 35
S.B. No. 
9
1
7
 
RECEIVED BV
In tro d u ced  by SEN. WIN GATCHALIAN
AN ACT
CREATING THE PHILIPPINE RISE DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY, 
DEFINING ITS POWERS AND FUNCTIONS, PROVIDING FUNDS 
THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the 
Philippines in Congress assem bled:
1 
Section 1. Short Title. -  This Act shall be known as the “Philippine Rise
2 
Development Authority Act” or “PRDA Act”.
3
4 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. -  It is hereby declared a policy of the State
5 
to tap and accelerate the sound m anagem ent and sustainable development of
6 
the Philippine Rise, particularly on its potential to be a rich source of
7 
alternative energy and m arine resources, and as a possible tourism
8 
destination. Towards this end, an effective institutional m echanism  with due
9 
regard to the precautionary principle, as well as ecosystem -based and
10 
science-based approaches, shall be established to address the need for a
11 
coordinated and integrated approach in the form ulation and im plem entation
12 
of various development plans, program s, and projects th at will optimize the
13 
full potential of the Philippine Rise while conserving its ecology and resources
14 
for the benefit of future generations.


1 
Sec. 3. Creation of the Philippine Rise Development Authority. -  There
2 
is hereby created a body corporate to be known as the Philippine Rise
3 
Development Authority, hereinafter referred to as the Authority, which shall
4 
promote, coordinate and facilitate the active and extensive participation of all
5 
sectors to effect the exploration, study, and development, as well as the
6 
conservation and protection, of the natural resources within the Philippine
7 
Rise.
8 
The Authority shall also be the lead agency in conducting scientific
9 
research and exploration and shall secure the rights of the State over the area.
10 
Explorations m ust be done in partnership with the D epartm ent of
11 
Environm ent and Natural Resources -  Biodiversity M anagement Bureau
12 
(DENR-BMB), D epartm ent of Agriculture -  Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic
13 
Resources (DA-BFAR), and academ ic institutions with the necessary
14 
competence to conduct rigorous and comprehensive studies in the Philippine
15 
Rise area.
16 
The Authority shall be organized within one hundred eighty (180) days
17 
after the approval of this Act. It shall have a term  of fifty (50) years from its
18 
organization and may be renewed for another fifty (50) years, unless otherwise
19 
provided by law. It shall be an attached agency to the Office of the President.
20 
It shall establish its first office in the Aurora Pacific Economic and Freeport
21 
Zone and may p u t up such other offices as may be necessary to achieve the
22 
objectives of this Act.
23
24 
Sec. 4. Coverage. -  The PRD A shall cover all natural resources located
25 
in the undersea feature known as the Philippine Rise Region, within the
26 
Philippine exclusive economic zone and continental shelf, as well as the outer
27 
limits of the extended continental shelf pursuant to the recom m endations of
28 
the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS) issued on April
29 
12, 2012, and bounded by the coordinates 12°30'N to 20°30'N latitude and
30 
122°30'E to 129°30'E longitude, excluding the fifteen-kilometer m unicipal
31 
w aters of adjacent coastal areas.


1 
Sec. 5. Powers and Functions of the Philippine Rise Development
2 
Authority. -  In t±ie exercise of its m andate, the Authority shall have the
3 
following powers and functions:
4 
(a) 
Form ulate and advocate national policies th at will foster the
5 
integrated, balanced, and sustainable development framework for the
6 
Philippine Rise that is consistent with the development initiatives of the
7 
national government, as far as practicable;
8 
(b) 
Develop, plan, program, prioritize, integrate, and implement,
9 
whenever allowed and authorized by applicable laws, program s, projects, and
10 
activities at the Philippine Rise;
11 
(c) 
Recommend to or coordinate with the proper government
12 
agencies program s, projects, and activities soliciting or requiring their direct
13 
or indirect assistance including, but not limited to, technical support and
14 
physical assistance for the prioritization of the region’s environm ental,
15 
agricultural, 
fisheries, 
m arine 
and 
non-m arine 
biodiversity, 
energy,
16 
industrial, commercial, infrastructure, tourism , technological, and scientific
17 
concerns;
18 
(d) 
Review Philippine Rise programs, projects, and activities by the
19 
national government and donor agencies, subject to existing laws, rules, and
20 
regulations, for the purpose of ensuring consistency with national policies and
21 
plans, as well as monitor, evaluate, and formulate recom m endations in the
22 
im plem entation of such program s, projects, and activities;
23 
(e) 
Establish a complete, comprehensive, and integrated database on
24 
the Philippine Rise prior to the conduct of any exploration activities, whenever
25 
possible. For this purpose, the Authority may coordinate with academ ic
26 
institutions concerned to conduct comprehensive survey and assessm ent and
27 
generate resource m ap of the Philippine Rise which shall be the underlying
28 
foundation for all policy and m anagem ent decisions;
29 
(f) 
Create an area research plan and coordinate research initiatives
30 
and exploration in the Philippine Rise region, establish a repository of
31 
research data, and provide incentives for such research and exploration
32 
activities;


1 
(g) 
Promote the protection and conservation of im portant m arine
2 
biodiversity and fishery resources, including m arine genetic resources, which
3 
are im portant for ensuring climate change resiliency and food security;
4 
(h) 
Promote and facilitate public and private investm ents that would
5 
enhance the integrated, balanced, and sustainable development of the
6 
Philippine Rise, and explore other sources of financing for priority Philippine
7 
Rise related program s, projects, emd activities, in close coordination with
8 
agencies primarily m andated to undertake such functions;
9 
(i) 
Receive 
and 
adm inister 
donations, 
contributions, 
grants,
10 
bequests, or gifts, in cash or in kind, from foreign governm ents, international
11 
agencies, private entities, and other sources, including Official Development
12 
Assistance, subject to existing laws, rules, and regulations;
13 
(j) 
Sue and be sued, and as approved by the Board, enter into
14 
contracts, acquire, purchase, hold, lease, transfer, or dispose of properties of
15 
any kind or nature to carry out the purposes of this Act;
16 
(k) 
Issue clearances, including the necessary rules and standards,
17 
for all proposals, plans, program s, projects, or any activity involving the
18 
Philippine Rise Region including, but not limited to, m arine science research,
19 
exploration, and exploitation, w hether conducted by Filipino or foreign
20 
nationals, in accordance with Sec. 7 of this Act;
21 
(1) 
Request the President of the Philippines and other government
22 
agencies for any needed assistance in the enforcem ent of all applicable laws,
23 
rules, and regulations, the exploration and scientific study of the entire
24 
region, the sustainable exploitation of its natural bounties, and the protection
25 
of national security and national interests, including law enforcem ent against
26 
illegal intruders and poachers; and
27 
(m) 
Discharge such other functions as may be deemed necessary to
28 
carry out its m andate under this Act or as may be provided by law.
29 
The Authority, through its Administrator, shall subm it to the President
30 
and both Houses of Congress annual reports on its accom plishm ents and
31 
activities.
32


1 
Sec. 6. Board of Directors. -  The power of the Authority shall be vested
2 
in and exercised by a Board of Directors, hereinafter referred to as the Board,
3 
which shall m anage and supervise the overall directions and thrusts. It shall
4 
be composed of the following:
5 
(a) 
The President of the Philippines who shall act as the Chairperson
6 
of the Board;
7 
(b) 
The Adm inistrator of the Philippine Rise Development Authority
8 
who shall act as the Vice-Chairperson of the Board;
9 
(c) 
Thirteen (13) other m em bers composed of the following:
10 
(1) The 
NEDA 
Director-General 
or 
the 
duly 
authorized
11 
representative;
12 
(2) The D epartm ent of Environm ent and Natural Resources (DENR)
13 
Secretary or the duly authorized representative;
14 
(3) The D epartm ent of Energy (DOE) Secretary or the duly authorized
15 
representative;
16 
(4) The D epartm ent of Agriculture (DA) Secretary or the duly
17 
authorized representative;
18 
(5) The D epartm ent of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary or
19 
the duly authorized representative;
20 
(6) The D epartm ent of Finance (DOF) Secretary or the duly
21 
authorized representative;
22 
(7) The D epartm ent of Budget and M anagem ent (DBM) Secretary or
23 
the duly authorized representative;
24 
(8) The D epartm ent of National Defense (DND) Secretary or the duly
25 
authorized representative;
26 
(9) The D epartm ent of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary or the duly
27 
authorized representative;
28 
(10) The D epartm ent of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary or the duly
29 
authorized representative;
30 
(11) The National Coast W atch Council (NCWC) Executive Director or
31 
the duly authorized representative;
32 
(12) The National Security Council (NSC) National Security Adviser
33 
and Director General or the duly authorized representative; and


1 
(13) The University of the Philippines (UP) President or the duly
2 
authorized representative.
3 
The m em bers of the Board shall receive a per diem at a rate to be
4 
determ ined by the Governance Commission for Government Owned or
5 
Controlled Corporations (GCG), in accordance with existing rules and
6 
regulations: Provided, however, That the per diem collected per m onth does
7 
not exceed the equivalent per diem of four (4) meetings: Provided, further, That
8 
the am ount of per diem for every Board m eeting may be increased by the
9 
President or GCG bu t such am ount shall not be increased within two (2) years
10 
from its last increase.
11 
The Board shall have the following functions:
12 
(a) 
Provide direction and guidance for the Authority's work and
13 
th ru sts for the Philippine Rise;
14 
(b) 
Ensure th at the goals and policies of the Authority are consistent
15 
with the overall national development goals and objectives, and th at the
16 
program s of the Authority are consistent with regional and local development
17 
plans, program s, and projects, and vice versa, for purposes of harm onization;
18 
(c) 
Explore sources for financing of priority Philippine Rise plans,
19 
program s, projects, and activities;
20 
(d) 
Create comm ittees or task forces as may be deemed necessary in
21 
the accom plishm ent of its functions;
22 
(e) 
Determine schedules, establish voting procedures, criteria for the
23 
constitution of a quorum , and other rules and regulations in the conduct of
24 
Board meetings;
25 
(f) 
Approve contracts and enter into agreem ents to carry out the
26 
purposes of this Act, except when authority to sign such contracts a n d /o r
27 
agreem ents is vested in a specific governm ent officer or entity; and
28 
(g) 
Perform such other functions as may be necessary to carry out
29 
the purposes of this Act.
30
31 
Sec. 7. Issuance of C learances by the Authority. -  No proposals, plans,
32 
program s, projects, or activities involving the Philippine Rise Region
33 
including, but not limited to, m arine science research, exploration, and


1 
exploitation, w hether conducted by Filipino and foreign nationals, shall be
2 
carried out, nor shall any license or perm it be issued in relation to the sam e,
3 
without the clearance of the Authority.
4 
The Authority shall issue the necessary clearance for all approved
5 
proposals, plans, program s, projects, or activities within twenty (20) calendar
6 
days from subm ission thereof. In cases where the Authority fails to act within
7 
the same 20-day period, the subm issions shall be deemed approved. Any
8 
decision of disapproval by the Authority may be appealed within fifteen (15)
9 
calendar days from receipt thereof to the Office of the President whose
10 
decision shall be final.
11 
The Authority shall issue rules and standards concerning the clearance
12 
required under this section: Provided, That, such clearance m ust be secured
13 
before all other perm its an d /o r licenses required under existing and
14 
applicable laws shall be issued: Provided, further. That the grant or denial of
15 
an application for clearance shall be m ade on the basis of this Act, other laws
16 
and regulations applicable to the Philippine Rise, and the integrated,
17 
balanced, and sustainable development framework form ulated under Sec. 5(a)
18 
of this Act.
19
20 
Sec. 8. Accrual of Revenues and Receipts to the General Fund. -  All
21 
revenues and receipts from any and all sources including the governm ent
22 
share representing royalties, rentals, production share on service contracts,
23 
and similar paym ents on the development, exploration, and exploitation of
24 
energy resources within the Philippine Rise shall be rem itted to the National
25 
Treasuiy and shall accrue to the General Fund.
26
27 
Sec. 9. Advisory Panel of Technical Experts. -  The Authority shall
28 
constitute an advisory panel of technical experts consisting of practitioners in
29 
disciplines th at are related to oil and gas extraction and processing,
30 
hydrography, m arine ecology, surveying, hydrology, including, but not limited
31 
to, oceanography.


1 
The Advisory Panel shall perform research and development and provide
2 
technical advice to the Authority in maritim e science, technologies, and best
3 
practices for the extraction and development of oil and gas fields.
4 
The Authority shall set the qualifications and com pensation for the
5 
technical experts. It shall provide resources for the operations and activities
6 
of the Advisory Panel.
7
8 
Sec. 10. Administrator. -  The Authority shall have an Adm inistrator who
9 
shall be appointed by the President of the Philippines, upon recom m endation
10 
of the Board. The Adm inistrator shall serve a term of six (6) years from the
11 
date of h is/h e r appointm ent unless sooner separated from service due to
12 
death, voluntary resignation, or removal for cause: Provided, That no person
13 
shall be appointed as Adm inistrator unless h e/sh e is a Filipino citizen, holder
14 
of a degree in law or a m asters degree in any of the following fields: economics,
15 
business, public adm inistration, law, m anagem ent, or their equivalent, and
16 
have at least ten (10) years of relevant experience in said fields: Provided,
17 
further, That h e/sh e shall be a resident of the Philippines for at least five (5)
18 
years before the appointm ent.
19
20 
Sec. 11. Powers and Duties of the Administrator; Secretariat. -  The
21 
Adm inistrator shall have the following powers and duties:
22 
(a) 
Direct and m anage the affairs of the Authority in accordance with
23 
the policies of the Board;
24 
(b) 
Call and preside over m eetings of the Board in the absence of the
25 
Chairperson, and supervise and direct its Secretariat;
26 
A Secretariat is hereby established to serve and assist the Board in the
27 
effective im plem entation of this Act. The Head of the Secretariat shall be
28 
appointed by the Adm inistrator upon recom m endation by the Board:
29 
Provided, That no person shall be appointed as Head of the Secretariat unless
30 
h e/sh e is a Filipino citizen, holder of a degree in any of the following fields:
31 
economics, business, public adm inistration, law, m anagem ent, or their
32 
equivalent, and have at least five (5) years of relevant experience in said fields:
33 
Provided, further. That he/ she shall be a resident of the Philippines for at least


1 
five (5) years prior to h is/h e r appointm ent and has the requisite eligibilities
2 
for third level career service position p u rsu an t to the career executive rank
3 
system;
4 
(c) 
Ensure the proper im plem entation of applicable policies,
5 
program s, and rules and regulations, including the resolutions of the Board;
6 
(d) 
Identify solutions to key issues and concerns, taking into account
7 
related risks, affected parties, and impact, in coordination with the Board and
8 
key stakeholders;
9 
(e) 
Advocate the Authority's work am ong the various concerned
10 
sectors and stakeholders;
11 
(f) 
Call on any agency, group, individual m em ber of the Board, local
12 
governm ent unit, and host com m unity to address issues and concerns
13 
relating to the im plem entation of m ajor program s, projects, and activities;
14 
(g) 
Supervise 
the 
m onitoring 
and 
timely 
im plementation 
of
15 
Philippine Rise related program s, projects, and activities;
16 
(h) 
Endorse to the Board all policy recom m endations, plans, and
17 
program s for approval;
18 
(i) 
Accept, on behalf and upon approval of the Authority, donations,
19 
contributions, grants, gifts, bequests, or devises, in cash or in kind, from
20 
m em bers, foreign governments, international agencies, private entities, or
21 
any individual for purposes th at will realize the functions of the Authority;
22 
(j) 
Supervise adm inistrative operations, including disbursem ent of
23 
any fund of the Authority, subject to the usual accounting and auditing
24 
procedures, and subm it reports thereon;
25 
(k) 
Execute and adm inister the policies and m easures approved by
26 
the Board;
27 
(1) 
Appoint all employees of the Authority, and remove, dism iss, or
28 
otherwise discipline for cause, such employees in accordance with the
29 
standard guidelines for recruitm ent, employment, and discipline im der civil
30 
service law, rules, and regulations;
31 
(m) 
Represent the Authority in all dealings with other offices,
32 
agencies, and instrum entalities of the government and with all persons and
33 
entities, public or private;


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15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
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32
33
(n) 
Sign agreem ents a n d /o r contracts, on behalf of the Authority and 
upon the Board’s approval, including those for expert and consultant services 
and other reports of accountabilities em anating from the Authority, except 
when authority to sign such agreem ents, contracts, or reports is vested in a 
specific government entity; and
(o) 
Perform such other functions th at the Board may direct to carry 
out the provisions of this Act or which are necessary or incidental to h is/h er 
office.
Sec. 12. Organizational Structure. -  The Adm inistrator shall determ ine 
the organizational structure, staffing pattern, and pay scales of the Authority 
subject to existing civil service and com pensation laws. Subject to the 
approval of the Board, the Adm inistrator may reorganize the Authority and 
may create or abolish divisions, units, or branches therein as the exigencies 
of the affairs of the Authority may require.
Sec. 13. Merit System. -  All officials and employees of the Authority 
shall be selected and appointed on the basis of m erit and fitness in accordance 
with civil service law, rules, and regulations. The recruitm ent, transfer, 
promotion, and dism issal of all its personnel, including tem porary workers, 
shall be governed by a m erit system  that will be established by the Authority 
in compliance with existing laws, rules and regulations.
Sec. 14. Appropriations. -  Such am ounts necessaiy to finance the initial 
im plementation of this Act shall be sourced from the unprogram m ed funds in 
the current General Appropriations Act (GAA). Thereafter, such am ounts 
necessary for its continued im plem entation shall be included in the annual 
GAA.
Sec. 15. Implementing Rules and Regulations. -  The Authority, subject 
to the approval of the Board and in consultation with other stakeholders shall, 
within sixty (60) days from the date of effectivity of this Act, prom ulgate and 
publish the rules and regulations for the effective and faithful im plem entation
10


2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
1
of this Act: Provided, That the failure of the prom ulgation of the said rules and 
regulations shall not prevent the im plem entation of this Act upon its 
effectivity.
Sec. 16. Separability Clause. -  If any portion or provision of this Act is 
subsequently declared invalid or unconstitutional, other provisions hereof 
which are not affected thereby shall rem ain in full force and effect.
Sec. 17. Repealing Clause. -  All other laws, acts, presidential decrees, 
executive 
orders, 
presidential 
proclam ations, 
issuances, 
rules 
and 
regulations, or parts thereof which are contrary to or inconsistent with any of 
the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, am ended, or modified 
accordingly.
Sec. 18. Effectivity. -  This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) new spapers of general 
circulation.
Approved,
11