Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

Fifteenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNO,__ 2782

Introduced by the Honorable Janette L. Garin, M. D.

EXPLANATORY NOTE
This bill seeks to establish the Solar Energy Development Authority.

‘The fact that our country is too dependent on imported crude oil cannot be denied.
In truth, the prices of our basic commodities rise and fall with the price of crude oil. To
mitigate such dependence, we have ventured in the utilization of hydroelectric and
geothermal energy. However, said alternative energy sources are not sufficient to
answer the needs of our people and until now, we are still very dependent on imported
crude oil. There is, therefore, a need to explore and develop other alternative sources of
energy in order to solve our current energy crisis.

Philippines is a tropical country, blessed with abundant sunlight which can be
tapped as inexhaustible , cheap and environmentally safe source of energy. However, no
serious effort was made to develop solar energy when in fact, compared to other
conventional fuel, solar energy merely harnesses the heat of the sun, hence, it does not
pollute the air nor the sea.

Premised under Section 10 of Article VIV of the Constitution, to wit : “Science
and technology are essential for national development and progress. The state shall give
priority to research and development , invention, innovation and their utilization; and 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 productive systems and national life”, the potential use of solar energy
as economical , safe and efficient energy source, being a relatively new technology in
the country, should be subjected to extensive research and development.

This new technology would ultimately address the severe energy need in the
country and would mitigate dependence on crude oil - making the prices of commodities
stable, thereby improving the life of every Filipino.

Hence, the approval of this bill is earnestly recommended.

MUNI
JAl yh GARIN, M.D.
\


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

Fifteenth Congress
First Regular Session

2782

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by the Honorable Janette L. Garin, M. D.

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE SOLAR ENERGY
DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY AND

APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR:

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

SECTION 1. Creation. 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 Solar energy.

SECTION 2. Composition and qualification. 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 ex-officio
members , 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.

SECTION 3. Powers and Duties of the Board of Directors. 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:

©) Adopt and use corporate seal;

d) Enter into contracts;

e) 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 Civil Service Commission rules and regulations;

Exercise such incidental powers as shall be necessary to carry on the functions of

the authority;

8)

SECTION 4. Power and functions of the Authority. The Authority shall have the
following powers and functions:

a) Conduct extensive research on solar energy as alternative source of energy;
b) Formulate a comprehensive policy for the research , development and utilization
of solar energy.

Implement the government program on the allocation, distribution and sale of
solar energy;

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

9

d)

SECTION 5. Chairman of the Board. 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,

SECTION 6. Budget Allocation. 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.

SECTION 7. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect upon its Approval.

Approved,