TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ] 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ] 
First Regular Session 
]
S.B. No.
SENATE
1103
Ornate
oC tiji' ^ f c !■ i t .117
25 /HJG-7 P2S2
RECEIVED BY;
Introduced 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 many in advocating 
for the preservation and responsible development of these rich natural resources, our 
country's natural wealth has continually declined due to unjust exploitation and, at 
times, pure negligence.
Since the beginning, the Philippine scientific community 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 waters 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 made 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 important for their 
contributions to marine biodiversity. This is significant not only for ecological purposes, 
but also for bioprospecting. Meanwhile, the large volume of various tuna species found 
in the region showcases a huge potential for commercial fishing as well.
Last, but certainly not least, the seabed of the Philippine Rise holds a potentially 
massive treasure trove of rare and precious mineral resources, the most impactful of 
which may be methane 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 measure takes a responsible, proactive, and forward-looking approach to 
developing the natural resources of the Philippine Rise by establishing the institutional 
mechanism 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 mechanism 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 
departments and technical agencies. The numerous areas of interest to be covered by 
the PRDA - policy formulation and advocacy, coordination and support for scientific 
research and exploration, environmental protection, and investments promotions - 
backs up the necessity of its creation.
This is a forward-looking piece of legislation that immediately creates this 
institutional mechanism, now while the Philippine Rise remains pristine and 
undeveloped, so that we will be prepared to meet threats of ecological degradation 
and irresponsible development when they present themselves in later years. Similarly, 
this measure intends to anticipate and address foreign acts threatening the sovereign


rights of the Philippines over its territory and natural resources, as in the case of 
reported foreign incursions in the Philippine Rise in 2022.1
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bilHTgarnestly sought.
iTCHALIAN
1 Philippine Daily Inquirer. "DFA to protest incursions in Philippine Rise, says Palace."
https://globalnation.inquirer.net/203038/dfa-to-protest-incursions-in-philippine-rise-says-
palace#ixzz7W3dJVMXE


TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
SENATE
S. B. No. 1103
^cuatf 
of the S»f;vplary
25. AUG -7 P2 52
RECEIVED BY:
Introduced 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 assembled:
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 management and sustainable development of
6 
the Philippine Rise, particularly on its potential to be a rich source of alternative
7 
energy and marine resources, and as a possible tourism destination. Towards
8 
this end, an effective institutional mechanism with due regard to the
9 
precautionary principle, as well as ecosystem-based and science-based
10 
approaches, shall be established to address the need for a coordinated and
11 
integrated approach in the formulation and implementation of various
12 
development plans, programs, and projects that will optimize the full potential
13 
of the Philippine Rise while conserving its ecology and resources for the benefit
14 
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 (PRDA), which shall promote, coordinate and facilitate
4 
the active and extensive participation of all sectors to effect the exploration,
5 
study, and development, as well as the conservation and protection, of the
6 
natural resources within the Philippine Rise.
7 
The PRDA shall also be the lead agency in conducting scientific research
8 
and exploration and shall secure the rights of the State over the area.
9 
Explorations must be done in partnership with the Department of Environment
10 
and Natural Resources - Biodiversity Management Bureau (DENR-BMB),
11 
Department of Agriculture - Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-
12 
BFAR), and academic institutions with the necessary competence to conduct
13 
rigorous and comprehensive studies in the Philippine Rise area.
14 
The PRDA shall be organized within one hundred eighty (180) days after
15 
the approval of this Act. It shall have a term of fifty (50) years from its
16 
organization and may be renewed for another fifty (50) years, unless otherwise
17 
provided by law. It shall be an attached agency to the Office of the President.
18 
It shall establish its first office in the Aurora Pacific Economic and
19 
Freeport Zone and may put up such other offices as may be necessary to
20 
achieve the objectives of this Act.
21
22 
SEC. 4. Coverage. - The PRDA shall cover all natural resources located
23 
in the undersea feature known as the Philippine Rise Region, within the
24 
Philippine exclusive economic zone and continental shelf, as well as the outer
25 
limits of the extended continental shelf pursuant to the recommendations of
26 
the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS) issued on April
27 
12, 2012, and bounded by the coordinates 12°30'N to 20°30'N latitude and
28 
122°30'E to 129°30'E longitude, excluding the fifteen-kilometer municipal
29 
waters of adjacent coastal areas.


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


1 
(g) Promote the protection and conservation of important marine
2 
biodiversity and fishery resources, including marine genetic resources, which
3 
are important for ensuring climate change resiliency and food security;
4 
(h) Promote and facilitate public and private investments 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 programs, projects, and activities, in close coordination with
8 
agencies primarily mandated to undertake such functions;
9 
(i) Receive and administer donations, contributions, grants, bequests, or
10 
gifts, in cash or in kind, from foreign governments, international agencies,
11 
private entities, and other sources, including Official Development Assistance,
12 
subject to existing laws, rules, and regulations;
13 
(j) Sue and be sued, and as approved by the Board, enter into contracts,
14 
acquire, purchase, hold, lease, transfer, or dispose of properties of any kind or
15 
nature to carry out the purposes of this Act;
16 
(k) Issue clearances, including the necessary rules and standards, for all
17 
proposals, plans, programs, projects, or any activity involving the Philippine
18 
Rise Region including, but not limited to, marine science research, exploration,
19 
and exploitation, whether conducted by Filipino or foreign nationals, in
20 
accordance with Section 7 of this Act;
21 
(I) Request the President of the Philippines and other government
22 
agencies for any needed assistance in the enforcement of all applicable laws,
23 
rules, and regulations, the exploration and scientific study of the entire region,
24 
the sustainable exploitation of its natural bounties, and the protection of
25 
national security and national interests, including law enforcement against
26 
illegal intruders and poachers; and
27 
(m) Discharge such other functions as may be deemed necessary to
28 
carry out its mandate under this Act or as may be provided by law.
29 
The PRDA, through its Administrator, shall submit to the President and
30 
both Houses of Congress annual reports on its accomplishments and activities.
31 
SEC. 6. Board of Directors. - The power of the PRDA shall be vested in
32 
and exercised by a Board of Directors, hereinafter referred to as the Board,


1 
which shall manage and supervise the overall directions and thrusts. It shall be
2 
composed of the following:
3 
(a) The President of the Philippines who shall act as the Chairperson of
4 
the Board;
5 
(b) The Administrator of the PRDA who shall act as the Vice-Chairperson
6 
of the Board;
7 
(c) Thirteen (13) other members composed of the following:
8 
(l)The 
Department of Economy, Planning, and 
Development
9 
(DEPDev) Secretary or the duly authorized representative;
10 
(2) The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)
11 
Secretary or the duly authorized representative;
12 
(3) The Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary or the duly authorized
13 
representative;
14 
(4) The 
Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary or the duly
15 
authorized representative;
16 
(5) The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary or
17 
the duly authorized representative;
18 
(6) The 
Department of Finance (DOF) Secretary 
or the duly
19 
authorized representative;
20 
(7) The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary or
21 
the duly authorized representative;
22 
(8) The Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary or the duly
23 
authorized representative;
24 
(9) The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary or the duly
25 
authorized representative;
26 
(10) 
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary or the
27 
duly authorized representative;
28 
(11) 
The National Coast Watch Council (NCWC) Executive
29 
Director or the duly authorized representative;
30 
(12) 
The National Security Council (NSC) National Security
31 
Adviser and Director General or the duly authorized
32 
representative; and


1 
(13) The University of the Philippines (UP) President or the duly
2 
authorized representative.
3 
The members of the Board shall receive a per diem at a rate to be
4 
determined by the Governance Commission for Government Owned or
5 
Controlled Corporations (GCG), in accordance with existing rules and
6 
regulations: Provided, That the per diem collected per month does not exceed
7 
the equivalent per diem of four (4) meetings: Provided, further, That the
8 
amount of per diem for every Board meeting may be increased by the President
9 
or GCG but such amount shall not be increased within two (2) years from its
10 
last increase.
11 
The Board shall have the following functions:
12 
(a) Provide direction and guidance for the PRDA's work and thrusts for
13 
the Philippine Rise;
14 
(b) Ensure that the goals and policies of the PRDA are consistent with
15 
the overall national development goals and objectives, and that the programs
16 
of the PRDA are consistent with regional and local development plans,
17 
programs, and projects, and vice versa, for purposes of harmonization;
18 
(c) Explore sources for financing of priority Philippine Rise plans,
19 
programs, projects, and activities;
20 
(d) Create committees or task forces as may be deemed necessary in
21 
the accomplishment 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 agreements to carry out the
26 
purposes of this Act, except when authority to sign such contracts and/or
27 
agreements is vested in a specific government officer or entity; and
28 
(g) Perform such other functions as may be necessary to carry out the
29 
purposes of this Act.
30
31 
SEC. 7. Issuance of Clearances by the PRDA. - No proposals, plans,
32 
programs, projects, or activities involving the Philippine Rise Region, including


1 
but not limited to marine science research, exploration, and exploitation,
2 
whether conducted by Filipino and foreign nationals, shall be carried out, nor
3 
shall any license or permit be issued in relation to the same, without the
4 
clearance of the PRDA
5 
The PRDA shall issue the necessary clearance for all approved proposals,
6 
plans, programs, projects, or activities within twenty (20) calendar days from
7 
submission thereof. In cases where the PRDA fails to act within the same 20-
8 
day period, the submissions shall be deemed approved. Any decision of
9 
disapproval by the PRDA may be appealed within fifteen (15) calendar days
10 
from receipt thereof to the Office of the President whose decision shall be final.
11 
The PRDA shall issue rules and standards concerning the clearance
12 
required under this section: Provided, That, such clearance must be secured
13 
before all other permits and/or licenses required under existing and applicable
14 
laws shall be issued: Provided, further, That the grant or denial of an application
15 
for clearance shall be made on the basis of this Act, other laws and regulations
16 
applicable to the Philippine Rise, and the integrated, balanced, and sustainable
17 
development framework formulated under Sec. 5(a) of this Act.
18
19 
SEC. 8. Accruai of Revenues and Receipts to the Generai Fund. - All
20 
revenues and receipts from any and all sources including the government share
21 
representing royalties, rentals, production share on service contracts, and
22 
similar payments on the development, exploration, and exploitation of energy
23 
resources within the Philippine Rise shall be remitted to the National Treasury
24 
and shall accrue to the General Fund.
25
26 
SEC. 9. Advisory Pane! of Technical Experts. - The PRDA shall constitute
27 
an advisory panel of technical experts consisting of practitioners in disciplines
28 
that are related to oil and gas extraction and processing, hydrography, marine
29 
ecology, surveying, hydrology, including, but not limited to, oceanography.
30 
The Advisory Panel shall perform research and development, and
31 
provide technical advice to the PRDA in maritime science, technologies, and
32 
best practices for the extraction and development of oil and gas fields.


1 
The PRDA shall set the qualifications and compensation for the technical
2 
experts. It shall provide resources for the operations and activities of the
3 
Advisory Panel.
4
5 
SEC. 10. Administrator. - The PRDA shall have an Administrator who
6 
shall be appointed by the President of the Philippines, upon recommendation
7 
of the Board. The Administrator shall serve a term of six (6) years from the
8 
date of their appointment unless sooner separated from service due to death,
9 
voluntary resignation, or removal for cause: Provided, That no person shall be
10 
appointed as Administrator unless they are a Filipino citizen, holder of a degree
11 
in law or a masters degree in any of the following fields: economics, business,
12 
public administration, law, management, or their equivalent, and have at least
13 
ten (10) years of relevant experience in said fields: Provided, further, That they
14 
shall be a resident of the Philippines for at least five (5) years before the
15 
appointment.
16
17 
SEC. 11. Powers and Duties of the Administrator; Secretariat - The
18 
Administrator shall have the following powers and duties:
19 
(a) Direct and manage the affairs of the PRDA in accordance with the
20 
policies of the Board; and
21 
(b) Call and preside over meetings of the Board in the absence of the
22 
Chairperson, and supervise and direct its Secretariat.
23 
A Secretariat is hereby established to serve and assist the Board in the
24 
effective implementation of this Act. The Head of the Secretariat shall be
25 
appointed by the Administrator upon recommendation by the Board: Provided,
26 
That no person shall be appointed as Head of the Secretariat unless they are a
27 
Filipino citizen, holder of a degree in any of the following fields: economics,
28 
business, public administration, law, management, or their equivalent, and
29 
have at least five (5) years of relevant experience in said fields: Provided,
30 
further. That they shall be a resident of the Philippines for at least five (5) years
31 
prior to their appointment and has the requisite eligibilities for third level career
32 
service position pursuant to the career executive service rank system;


1 
(c) Ensure the proper implementation of applicable policies, programs,
2 
and rules and regulations, including the resolutions of the Board;
3 
(d) Identify solutions to key issues and concerns, taking into account
4 
related risks, affected parties, and impact, in coordination with the Board and
5 
key stakeholders;
6 
(e) Advocate the PRDA's work among the various concerned sectors and
7 
stakeholders;
8 
(f) Call on any agency, group, individual member of the Board, local
9 
government unit, and host community to address issues and concerns relating
10 
to the implementation of major programs, projects, and activities;
11 
(g) Supervise the monitoring and timely implementation of Philippine
12 
Rise related programs, projects, and activities;
13 
(h) Endorse to the Board all policy recommendations, plans, and
14 
programs for approval;
15 
(i) Accept, on behalf and upon approval of the PRDA, donations,
16 
contributions, grants, gifts, bequests, or devises, in cash or in kind, from
17 
members, foreign governments, international agencies, private entities, or any
18 
individual for purposes that will realize the functions of the PRDA;
19 
(j) Supervise administrative operations, including disbursement of any
20 
fund of the PRDA, subject to the usual accounting and auditing procedures, and
21 
submit reports thereon;
22 
(k) Execute and administer the policies and measures approved by the
23 
Board;
24 
(I) Appoint all employees of the PRDA, and remove, dismiss, or otherwise
25 
discipline for cause, such employees in accordance with the standard guidelines
26 
for recruitment, employment, and discipline under civil service law, rules, and
27 
regulations;
28 
(m) Represent the PRDA in all dealings with other offices, agencies, and
29 
instrumentalities of the government and with all persons and entities, public or
30 
private;
31 
(n) Sign agreements and/or contracts, on behalf of the PRDA and upon
32 
the Board's approval, including those for expert and consultant services and


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Other reports of accountabilities emanating from the PRDA, except when 
authority to sign such agreements, contracts, or reports is vested in a specific 
government entity; and
(o) Perform such other functions that the Board may direct to carry out 
the provisions of this Act or which are necessary or incidental to their office.
SEC. 12. Organizational Structure. - The Administrator shall determine 
the organizational structure, staffing pattern, and pay scales of the PRDA 
subject to existing civil service and compensation laws. Subject to the approval 
of the Board, the Administrator may reorganize the PRDA and may create or 
abolish divisions, units, or branches therein as the exigencies of the affairs of 
the PRDA may require.
SEC. 13. Merit System. - All officials and employees of the PRDA shall 
be selected and appointed on the basis of merit and fitness in accordance with 
civil service law, rules, and regulations. The recruitment, transfer, promotion, 
and dismissal of all its personnel, including temporary workers, shall be 
governed by a merit system that will be established by the PRDA in compliance 
with existing laws, rules and regulations.
SEC. 14. Appropriations. - Such amounts necessary to finance the initial 
implementation of this Act shall be sourced from the unprogrammed funds in 
the current General Appropriations Act (GAA). Thereafter, such amounts 
necessary for its continued implementation shall be included in the annual GAA.
SEC. 15. Implementing Rules and Regulations.. - The PRDA, 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, promulgate and 
publish the rules and regulations for the effective and faithful implementation 
of this Act: Provided, That the failure of the promulgation of the said rules and 
regulations shall not prevent the implementation of this Act upon its effectivity.
10


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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 remain in full force and effect.
SEC. 17. Repealing Clause. - All other laws, acts, presidential decrees, 
executive orders, presidential proclamations, 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) newspapers of general 
circulation.
Approved,