TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
JUL -9 P5 :25
SENATE 
s. No.__34a
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR JV EJERCITO
AN ACT
TO INSTITUTIONALIZE AND ESTABLISH THE PHILIPPINE NAVY FORWARD 
OPERATING BASES, APPROPRIATING FUNDS FOR THE CREATION THEREOF, 
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
By virtue of its unique archipelagic geography, the Republic of the Philippines 
faces distinct and evolving maritime security challenges that necessitate a robust and 
dynamic defense posture. Historically focused on internal security, the nation's armed 
forces, in recent years, has undergone a fundamental strategic reorientation towards 
external territorial defense, formalized under the Comprehensive Archipelagic 
Defense Concept (CADC)1.
This critical shift is a direct response to the escalating geostrategic situation in 
the West Philippine Sea, most notably the aggressive and expansionist actions 
exhibited by other states that directly threaten the nation's territorial integrity, 
sovereign rights, and economic interests2.
1 Torrecampo, R. C. (2024, April 3). A paradigm shift in the Philippines' defense 
strategy. The Diplomat.
2 Bicenio, B. M., Gonzales, etal{202S). Enhancing the Philippines' defense policy 
ecosystem: The role of Congress in national security. Congressional Policy and 
Budget Research Department.
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As a maritime and archipelagic nation, further enhancing the capabilities of 
the Philippine Navy is a fundamental pillar of our national defense. With vast 
coastlines and numerous isiands, a strong and modern navai force is not just an 
asset, but a necessity in ensuring the security of our sea lanes.3 This poiicy shali be 
directly in pursuit of the doctrine established by Section 3, Article II of the 1987 
Constitution that states:
"Civilian authority is, at all times, supreme over the military. The Armed Forces 
of the Philippines is the protector of the people and the State. Its goal is to 
secure the sovereignty of the State and the integrity of the national territory."
Guided by this Constitutional mandate, and in furtherance of the ongoing AFP 
Modernization Program, we must authorize and provide the required resources to the 
Philippine Navy to establish forward operating bases at locations it has identified in 
its Strategic Basing Plan 2040. These forward operating bases, compared to main or 
naval operating bases, shall require a smaller budgetary footprint and will function 
as strategic outposts near the West Philippine Sea and the Philippine Rise, enabling 
the Navy to immediately carry out its mandate in far flung areas of our territorial 
waters while offering potential for future expansion.
In light of the escalating geopolitical challenges in the Indo-Pacific region, the 
institutionalization and funding for Philippine Navy Forward Operating Bases are a 
fundamental national security imperative. This act seeks to provide the necessary 
legal and financial wherewithal that shall reinforce the Archipelagic Defense Concept, 
ensuring the nation's ability to defend its interests and contribute to regional security.
In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly sought.
^ 
4
JV EJERCITO
3 Archipelagic defense doctrine anchors Philippines' territorial sovereignty. (2025). Indo- 
Pacific Defense Forum.


TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
25 JUL -9 P5 :25
SENATE 
S. No.__340
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR JV EJERCITO
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AN ACT
TO INSTITUTIONALIZE AND ESTABLISH THE PHILIPPINE NAVY FORWARD 
OPERATING BASES, APPROPRIATING FUNDS FOR THE CREATION THEREOF, 
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
SECTION 1. Short TTfife. - This Act shall be known as the "Archipelagic Defense 
of the Philippines Act."
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SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State declares that the Armed Forces
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of the Philippines (AFP) is the protector of the people and the State. The goal of the
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AFP is to secure the sovereignty of the State and the integrity of the national territory.
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The State iikewise recognizes the mission of the Phiiippine Navy, as a branch
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of the AFP, to organize, train, equip, maintain, develop and deploy forces for the
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prompt and sustained naval and maritime operations in support of the Unified
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Commands in the accomplishment of the AFP mission.
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It is the policy of the State to modernize the AFP to a level where it can
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effectively and fully perform its constitutional mandate to uphold the sovereignty and
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preserve the patrimony of the Republic of the Philippines.


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In order to effectively carry out the mandate of the Philippine Navy, the 
establishment of forward operating bases in the sites identified by the Philippine Navy 
in its Strategic Basing Plan 2040 is hereby pursued by the State.
SECTION 3. Scope and Limitations. - The Act shail be iimited in scope, 
appiication, and effectivity to the sites identified by the Phiiippine Navy in its Strategic 
Basing Pian 2040 as priority sites, as enumerated in Section 5 of this Act, for the 
estabiishment of its bases and instailations.
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SECTION 4. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act:
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a. Forward Operating Bases (FOB) - It shali refer to a small-scale naval and
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military facility or outpost where the Phiiippine Navy can carry out its basic
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functions and duties and which can serve as a potential site for future
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upgrade and expansion, for national security purposes.
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b. Strategic Basing Pian 2040 - It shall refer to the existing plan of the
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Philippine Navy to acquire and develop properties for the establishment of
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bases and instailations in strategic sites throughout the country.
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SECTION 5. Priority Sites. - The strategic iocations identified by the Philippine
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Navy Directorate for Real Estate Management as priority sites in its Strategic Basing
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Plan 2040 by reason of its strategic location shall serve as the sites of the FOBs.
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These sites inciude and shall be limited to the foliowing:
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a. Busuanga, Palawan;
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b. Subic Bay, Zambales;
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c. Mavulis Island, Batanes;
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d. Lubang Island, Mindoro;
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e. Surigao, Surigao del Norte;
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f. Allen, Northern Samar;
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g. Polilio Island, Quezon
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h. Bicobian, Divilacan, Isabela;
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i. Casiguran, Aurora;
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j. SaranganLDavao Occidental;
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k. Balabac, Palawan; and
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I. Mapun, Tawi-Tawi


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SECTION 6. Masterplan for the Establishment of Forward Operating Bases. -
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To be able to attain the policy and objectives set forth in this Act, there shall be
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established a Masterplan Governing the Establishment of Forward Operating Bases,
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hereinafter referred to as the Masterplan, which shall be confidential, and shall
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contain the priority sites, the schedule, the proposed facilities therein, the estimated
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cost of the same, among others.
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In particular, the Masterplan shall contain the foilowing:
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a. Set a timeline for the acquisition of the properties in the priority sites, as
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defined in Section 5, the pianning for the development of the same, and
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the development of the forward operating bases itself, provided that the
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timelines to be set shall not exceed three years; and
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b. Features of the proposed facilities to be acquired, developed, constructed
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or installed in the forward operating bases in the priority areas.
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SECTION 7. Preparation of the Masterplan. - Within sixty (60) days from the
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effectivity of this Act, upon the recommendation of the Secretaries of Nationai
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Defense and Budget and Management, the Masterplan shall be submitted by the
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Philippine Navy for the approval of the President of the Philippines.
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SECTION 8. Funding. - An appropriation of One Billion Pesos
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(P 1,000,000,000.00) shall be allocated for the initial budgetary requirements of this
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Act. Thereafter, such amount as may be necessary for the implementation of the
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Masterplan as provided for in this Act shall be included in the Annuai General
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appropriation Act (GAA) of the Department of National Defense.
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SECTION 9. Separability Clause. - If any part, section or provision of this Act
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is declared invalid or unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected by such
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declaration shali remain in fuil force and effect.
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SECTION 10. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules, and
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regulations, or other issuances or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of
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this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingiy.


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SECTION 11. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
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publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,