EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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First Regular Session 
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SENATtt 7  p  
S.B. No. 
- A
of [l)f ^ - '  r'U f
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'19 JUL-2 PI :11
Introduced by SEN. W IN GATCHALIAN
RECEIVED BV.
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE PHILIPPINE ENERGY RESEARCH AND POLICY 
INSTITUTE, DEFINING ITS OBJECTIVES, POWERS, AND FUNCTIONS, 
PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The energy sector is naturally characterized by rapidly changing technologies which 
necessitates continuous study and research. The results of these enquiries are crucial 
in ensuring that energy policies are responsive to the evolving landscape of the energy 
sector and its effect on consumers. However, there is a scarcity of energy research and 
policy programs in the country. Most of the more recent energy programs have been 
time bound due to financial limitations of the private or foreign grantor or donor.
This bill seeks to bridge the research and policy gap in the energy sector by 
institutionalizing an independent and public sector funded Philippine Energy Research 
and Policy Institute. It recognizes the importance of rigorous multidisciplinary research 
in making sound energy policies and iegisiation. 
As such, the Institute is tasked to, 
among others: (1) undertake collaborative energy research and policy development 
among the academe and energy stakeholders as well as local and international experts; 
(2) provide timely strategic technical assistance to the government on energy issues 
needing policy direction and advise; (3) create and administer training programs, and 
provide fellowship grants to build the capacity of government agencies, energy 
stakeholders, and the academe; and (4) ensure that the results of energy research and 
policy development activities are utilized to improve the energy sector, the ec 
and the lives of Filipino consumers. Qven all the foregoing, the imr 
this measure is sought.
ATCHALIAN


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EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBUC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
S.B. No
SENATE172
' 
a( iijf i-1 
(r i:’J?
*19 JUL “2 P1 ;11
RECEIVED B.
Introduced by Senator W IN GATCHALIAN
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE PHILIPPINE ENERGY RESEARCH AND POLICY 
INSTITUTE, DEFINING ITS OBJECTIVES, POWERS, AND FUNCTIONS, 
PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House o f Representatives o f the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
Section 1. 
Title. This Act shall be known as the "Philippine Energy Research 
and Policy Institute Act".
Sec. 2. Declaration o f Policy. -  It is hereby declared the policy of the State to 
ensure energy security, equity, and sustainability. Towards this end, it is also the 
policy of the State to enhance knowledge in recent developments and scientific 
breakthroughs in the field of energy; identify key policy areas, issues, and challenges 
in the country's energy sector; and formulate multidisciplinary research-based 
policies and strategies for the cost-effective use of energy resources towards 
environmentally-sound energy development.
Sec. 3. Establishment o f the Philippine Energy Research and Policy Institute. - 
Pursuant to the national policy of enhancing the country's capability for energy 
research and policy development, there is hereby established in the University of the 
Philippines (UP), a Philippine Energy Research and Policy Institute, hereinafter 
referred to as the Institute. 
The Institute shall be under the Office of the UP 
President.


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Sec. 4. Objectives o f the Institute. -  The objectives of the Institute are:
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a) To conduct pertinent policy research on energy issues and ensure the
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coordination and timely dissemination of results to key government agencies
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to guide policy and decision-making processes;
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b) To provide timely technical assistance to the government on energy issues
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needing policy direction and advice;
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c) To contribute strategic assistance to the government on energy policy issues
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and other related matters;
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d) To promote collaborative and multidisciplinary energy research and policy
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development among the academe, and public and private stakeholders;
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e) To establish mechanisms for the dissemination and utilization of research and
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policy development outputs;
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f) To create and administer training programs and provide fellowship grants
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intended to build the capacity of government agencies, public and private
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energy stakeholders, and the academe including graduate and post-graduate
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students; and
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g) To serve as a medium in bringing together local and international experts in
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the field of energy through local and international linkages.
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Sec. 5. Functions and Powers o f the Institute. -  The Institute's functions and
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powers shall include:
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a) Formulating and conducting research and development on energy, public
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policy issues in energy markets, and other pressing issues and problems, all
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backed by rigorous empirical evidence;
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b) Establishing research and policy development programs and capacity-building
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trainings on energy;
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c) Providing common research support facilities while maximizing the utilization
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of its expert support staff;
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d) Enhancing the masters and doctoral pool of researchers and faculty in the
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field of energy;
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e) Establishing local and foreign linkages in energy research and policy
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development;
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f) Sen/ing as the repository of all energy-related researches and studies to be 
generated by the Institute as well as academic, public, and private groups, 
organizations, and institutions;
g) Proposing and allocating its annual budgetary resources while optimizing 
resource generation and utilization;
h) Investing its funds in such undertaking as it may deem wise or necessary to 
carry out its objectives, with due consideration to existing guidelines on 
investing government funds in coordination with the Bureau of Treasury; and
i) Receiving and managing grants, aid, donations or any kind of assistance for 
achieving its objectives, in accordance with the rules and regulations of UP.
The UP President, upon recommendation of the Advisory Council, may give 
additional powers and functions to the Institute: Provided, That it shall be in 
accordance with the objectives of the Institute as stated in this Act.
Sec. 6. Organizational Structure. -  The Executive Director shall head the 
Institute and shall report to the UP President. The Institute's research and policy 
direction and priorities shall be determined by an Advisory Council and implemented 
by the Executive Director.
Sec. 7. The Executive Director. -  The Executive Director shall be a recognized 
expert in energy research and policy development with at least three (3) years 
experience in energy, and shall have a strong organizational management 
background. 
The UP President shall appoint the Executive Director upon the 
recommendation of the Advisory Council sixty (60) days after the promulgation of 
this Act: Provided, That such Executive Director shall serve for a term of five (5) 
years which can be renewed for another five (5) years.
Sec. 8. Functions and Powers o f the Executive Director. -  The Executive 
Director of the Institute shall:
a) Implement and 
enforce 
research and 
policy direction 
and 
priorities 
determined by the Advisory Council;


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b) Exercise administrative and supervisory functions over the planning,
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implementation, and evaluation of the policies, programs, and projects of the
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Institute;
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c) Recommend to the UP President, upon endorsement of the Advisory Council,
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the organizational structure of the Institute including the position classification
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and compensation employees subject to Section 11 of this Act;
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d) Recommend to the UP President, upon endorsement of the Advisory Council,
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the appointment of research fellows, officers, and employees of the Institute;
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e) Recommend to the UP President, upon endorsement of the Advisory Council,
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the overall budget of the Institute;
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f) Submit to the UP President, upon endorsement of the Advisory Council,
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regular reports on the Institute;
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g) Frequently apprise the Advisory Council on the programs and projects of the
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Institute;
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h) Within the limits of the authority delegated to him by the UP President,
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execute contracts, incur obligations, acquire and dispose of assets, and
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deliver documents on behalf of the Institute; and
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i) Exercise such other powers and functions and perform such other duties as
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may be authorized or assigned by the UP President, upon recommendation of
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the Advisory Council and in accordance with the objectives of this Act.
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Sec. 9. Advisory Council o f the Institute. -  There shall be an Advisory Council 
of the Institute to be composed of six (6) representatives with at least one (1) 
representative each from the fields of engineering, law, science, statistics, 
economics, and public health, either from the academe or the private sector. The 
representatives from the academe or the private sector shall be chosen by the UP 
President.
Sec. 10. Functions and Powers o f the Advisory Council. -  The Advisory Council
shall:


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a) Determine the general direction and priorities of the Institute in accordance
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with this Act;
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b) Determine research and policy areas for study and investigation by the
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Institute based on its evaluation of the energy policy landscape including the
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needs and demands of the country and the people;
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c) Provide advice to the Institute on any matter relating to the development of a
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research or policy area and the administration of research and policy
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programs;
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d) Endorse to the UP President the organizational structure of the Institute
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including position classification and compensation of employees subject to
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Section 11 of this Act, in coordination with the Department of Budget and
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Management;
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e) Endorse to the UP President the appointment of research fellows, officers,
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and employees of the Institute;
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f) Endorse to the UP President the Institute's overall budget;
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g) Generate resources and obtain logistical and financial support for the
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programs and component units of the Institute: Provided, That in so doing,
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no conflict-of-interest exists with the objectives of this Act and the functions
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of the Institute;
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h) Monitor and review the programs and projects undertaken by the Executive
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Director to implement and enforce research and policy direction and priorities;
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and
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i) Recommend to the UP President additional powers, functions, and duties of
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the Executive Director in accordance with the objectives of this Act.
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Sec. 11. Appointment o f Faculty and Staff. -  The human resource 
complement of the Institute shall be organized and set-up by the Executive Director 
subject to Sections 8 (c) and 10 (d) of this Act and, the existing rules and 
regulations of UP.


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Sec. 12. Public Access. -  The public and other energy institutions shall have
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access to the research findings, facilities, and other resources of the Institute, as
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provided in the implementing rules and regulations of this Act: Provided, it is in
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accordance with Section 13 of this Act.
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Sec. 13. Confidentiality. -  The Institute shall not disclose any proprietary or
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confidential data and other resources unless prior consent of the source or owner of
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such data and resources has been obtained by the requesting party.
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Sec. 14. Endowment Fund. -  An Endowment Fund is hereby established for
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the support of the Institute, including the purchase of research equipment and
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facilities, compensation and honoraria to researchers, whether in government service
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or otherwise, and such other necessary expenses to carry out the purpose of this
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Act.
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The Institute is authorized to accept into its Endowment Fund any
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contributions, donations, bequests, grants, and loans from domestic or foreign
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sources, government appropriations and other incomes accruing from the operations
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of the Institute, for purposes of executing its mandate and functions: Provided, That
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in so doing, no conflict-of-interest exists with the objectives of this Act and the
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functions of the Institute.
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For the organizational and operational requirements of the Institute, there is
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hereby appropriated out of the General Appropriations Act, the sum of Two Hundred
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Million Pesos (P200, 000,000.00) for the initial operating fund of the Institute.
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Thereafter, an annual amount of Two Hundred Million Pesos (P200,000,000.00) shall
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be appropriated from the General Appropriations Act to support the research, policy
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development, and training programs of the Institute. This amount shall be assessed
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annually and increased, if necessary, based on the annual financial plan approved by
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the UP President and submitted to the DBM.
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In order to support the Institute, the additional amount of one percent (1%)
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of each energy related fee and charge imposed, but in no case lower than Ten Pesos
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(PIO.OO), by the Department of Energy, Energy Regulatory Commission, and
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National Electrification Administration shall be collected by the respective agencies


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and units for each application, registration, renewal, endorsement, processing and 
other related services for which the collection of fees and charges is allowed by law 
and rules and regulations. Such additional amount shall be part of a special fund to 
be known as the "Energy Research Fund", and shall, upon collection, be immediately 
remitted to the UP and deposited in a separate account in any authorized 
government depositary bank in the name of the national treasurer as ex-officio 
treasurer of the UP.
Sec. 15. Tax Exemptions. -  The Institute shall be entitled to all the tax 
exemptions enumerated under Section 25 of Republic Act No. 9500, otherwise 
known as the University of the Philippines Charter of 2008.
Sec. 16. Implementing Rules and Regulations. -  Within sixty (60) days from 
the effectivity of this Act, the Institute, in consultation with its Advisory Council and 
subject to the approval of the Board of Regents, shall promulgate the necessary 
implementing rules and regulations of this Act.
Sec. 17. Separability Clause. -  If any portion or provision of this Act is 
declared unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provisions not affected 
thereby shall remain in force and effect.
Sec. 18. Repealing Clause. -  Any law, presidential decree or issuance, 
executive order, letter of instruction, rule or regulation inconsistent with the 
provisions of this Act is hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
Sec. 19. Effectivity. -  This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its 
complete publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,