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NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez 
House Bill No.  _____ 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Armed Forces of the Philippines are acknowledged as the nation's protectors, with 
the aim of preserving national sovereignty and territorial integrity. The State aspires to improve 
the AFP to successfully carry out the Philippine Navy's mission “To organize, train, equip, 
maintain, develop and deploy forces for prompt and sustained naval and maritime 
operations…” By allocating funds for their formation, this measure seeks to institutionalize the 
establishment of Philippine Navy Forward Operating Bases.  
FOBs are small-scale naval and military installations that help the Philippine Navy 
perform its duties and may be improved for the sake of national security. Locations for FOBs 
are chosen based on the Strategic Basing Plan 2040, which lists priority sites determined by 
the Philippine Navy. 
A masterplan for the FOBs must be submitted by the Philippine Navy to the President 
for approval. Five billion pesos will be set aside as an initial appropriation, and additional 
financing will be included in the Philippine Navy's yearly General Appropriations Act (GAA). 
Insisting the importance of enhancing the Philippine Navy's capacity, capability, and 
operational preparedness while highlighting the AFP's constitutional duty to defend the people 
and the State, a Strategic Basing Plan for 2040 will be introduced stressing the need for prompt 
execution in light of current international conditions and West Philippine Sea occurrences.  
In view of the foregoing, immediate approval of this measure is earnestly requested. 
RUFUS B. RODRIGUEZ 
May 25, 2023
4:28 pm
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NINETEENTH CONGRESS  
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session  
 
) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez 
House Bill No.  _____ 
AN ACT 
INSTITUTIONALIZING THE PHILIPPINE NAVY FORWARD OPERATING BASES, 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT THEREOF, AND FOR OTHER 
PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. Declaration Of Policy. – The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is the 
protector of the people and the State. The goal of the AFP is to secure the sovereignty of the 
State and the integrity of the national territory. 
The State likewise recognizes the mission of the Philippine Navy, as a branch of the 
AFP, to organize, train, equip, maintain, develop and deploy forces for the prompt and 
sustained naval and maritime operations in support of the United Commands in the 
accomplishment of the AFP mission. 
It is the policy of the State to modernize the AFP to a level where it can effectively and 
fully perform its constitutional mandate to uphold the sovereignty and preserve the patrimony 
of the Republic of the Philippines. 
In order to effectively carry out its mandate, the establishment of Forward Operating 
Bases (FOBs) in the sites identified by the Philippine Navy is hereby pursued by the State. 
SEC 2. Definition Of Terms. – For the purpose of this Act, the following terms shall mean: 
A. Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) – It shall refer to a small – scale naval and
military facility or outpost where the Philippine Navy can carry out its basic functions
and duties and which can serve as a potential site for future upgrade and
expansion, for national security purposes.
B. Strategic Basing Plan 2040 – It shall refer to the existing plan identified by the
Philippine Navy Directorate for Real Estate Management as priority sites
throughout the country.
SEC 3. Priority Sites. – The strategic locations identified by the Philippine Navy Directorate for 
Real Estate Management as priority sites in its Strategic Basing Plan 2040 by reason of its 
strategic location shall serve as the sites of the FOBs. 
These sites include and shall be limited to the following: 
1. Busuanga, Palawan;
2. Subic Bay, Zambales;
3. Mavulis Island, Batanes;
4. Lubang Island, Mindoro;
5. Surigao, Surigao del Norte;
6. Allen, Northern Samar;
7. Polilio Island, Quezon;
8. Bicobian, Divilacan, Isabela;
9. Casiguran, Auroro;
10. Sarangani, Davao Occidental;
11. Balabac, Palawan; and
12. Mapun, Tawi-tawi
SEC 4. Preparation Of The Masterplan. – Within 60 days from the implementation of this Act, 
upon the recommendation of the Secretaries of National Defense and Budget and 
Management, the Masterplan shall be submitted by the Philippine Navy for the approval of the 
President of the Philippines. 
SEC 5. Funding. – An initial appropriation of Five Billion Pesos (Php5,000,000,000.00) shall 
be allocated for the initial budgetary requirements of this Act. Thereafter, such amount as may 
be necessary for the implementation of the Masterplan as provided for in this Act shall be 
included in the annual General Appropriations Act (GAA) of the Philippine Navy. 
SEC 6. Separability Clause. – If any portion or provision of this Act is declared unconstitutional, 
the same shall not affect the validity and effectivity of the other provisions not affected thereby. 
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SEC 7. Repealing Clause. -  All laws, presidential decrees, letters of instructions, executive 
orders, rules, regulations, and other issuances or parts thereof which are contrary to or 
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby revoked, repealed, amended or modified 
accordingly. 
 
SEC 8. Effectivity Clause. – This act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following the completion 
of its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least one (1) newspaper of general circulation. 
 
Approved,


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