1 
Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS 
2nd Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ________ 
___________________________________________________________________ 
Introduced by Rep. JOHNNY PIMENTEL 
1 
EXPLANATORY   NOTE 
2 
3 
The Constitution mandates that Armed Forces of the Philippines  is the 
4 
protector of the people and the State. It is tasked with the lofty duty to secure 
5 
the sovereignty of the State and the integrity of the national territory. 
6 
Part and parcel of these territories to which the Philippines exercise sovereignty 
7 
are the territorial seas (12 nautical miles from the shores baseline) and the 
8 
Exclusive Economic Zones (200 nautical miles from the shores baselines). 
9 
Philippines, being the second largest archipelago in the world,  is virtually 
10 
surrounded by bodies of water in all directions. Fundamental is the task of 
11 
strengthening the capacity, capability and operational readiness of the 
12 
Philippine navy in addressing threats emanating from these waters. 
13 
Recently, our Navy has released its Strategic Basing Plan of 2040 identifying 
14 
small – scale naval and military facilities where the it can carry out its 
15 
constitutionally-mandated duty and also can serve as a potential sites for future 
16 
upgrade and expansion for national security purposes. Twelve key sites were 
17 
identified in strategic locations around the Philippines. 
18 
However, budgetary constraints have caused the slow implementation of this 
19 
crucial undertaking by our navy. Be it as it may, the present international 
20 
situation requires a decisive implementation considering the situation and 
21 
various incidents occurring in the waters of the West Philippine Sea. 
22 
In keeping with our policy in modernizing the Armed Forces and ensuring that 
23 
they are provided their needs to fulfill their fundamental duties, the passage of 
24 
this bill is earnestly sought. 
25 
26 
27 
28 
29 
30 
31 
HON. JOHNNY PIMENTEL 
32 
May 24, 2021
3:07 pm
9420


2 
Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS 
2nd Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ________ 
___________________________________________________________________ 
Introduced by Rep. JOHNNY PIMENTEL 
“AN ACT INSTITUTIONALIZING THE PHILIPPINE NAVY FORWARD 
1 
OPERATING BASES, APPROPRIATING FUNDS FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT 
2 
THEREOF, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES”  
3 
4 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
5 
Congress assembled: 
6 
7 
8 
SECTION 1. DECLARATION OF POLICY. – The Armed Forces of the 
9 
Philippines (AFP) is the protector of the people and the State. The goal of the AFP is 
10 
to secure the sovereignty of the State and the integrity of the national territory. 
11 
The State likewise recognizes the mission of the Philippine Navy, as a branch 
12 
of the AFP, to organize, train, equip, maintain, develop and deploy forces for the 
13 
prompt and sustained naval and maritime operations in support of the United 
14 
Commands in the accomplishment of the AFP mission. 
15 
It is the policy of the State to modernize the AFP to a level where it can 
16 
effectively and fully perform its constitutional mandate to uphold the sovereignty and 
17 
preserve the patrimony of the Republic of the Philippines. 
18 
In order to effectively carry out its mandate, the establishment of Forward 
19 
Operating Bases (FOBs) in the sites identified by the Philippine Navy is hereby 
20 
pursued by the State. 
21 
SEC. 2. DEFINITION OF TERMS. – For the purpose of this Act, the following 
22 
terms shall mean: 
23 
A. Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) – It shall refer to a small – scale
24 
naval and military facility or outpost where the Philippine Navy can
25 
carry out its basic functions and duties and which can serve as a
26 
potential site for future upgrade and expansion, for national security
27 
purposes.
28 
B. Strategic Basing Plan 2040 – It shall refer to the existing plan
29 
identified by the Philippine Navy Directorate for Real Estate
30 
Management as priority sites throughout the country.
31 
32 
9420


3 
 
SEC. 3. PRIORITY SITES. – The strategic locations identified by the Philippine 
1 
Navy Directorate for Real Estate Management as priority sites in its Strategic Basing 
2 
Plan 2040 by reason of its strategic location shall serve as the sites of the FOBs. 
3 
 
4 
These sites include and shall be limited to the following: 
5 
1. Busuanga, Palawan; 
6 
2. Subic Bay, Zambales; 
7 
3. Mavulis Island, Batanes; 
8 
4. Lubang Island, Mindoro; 
9 
5. Surigao, Surigao del Norte; 
10 
6. Allen, Northern Samar; 
11 
7. Polilio Island, Quezon; 
12 
8. Bicobian, Divilacan, Isabela; 
13 
9. Casiguran, Auroro; 
14 
10. Sarangani, Davao Occidental’ 
15 
11. Balabac, Palawan; and 
16 
12. Mapun, Tawi-tawi 
17 
 
18 
SEC. 4. PREPARATION OF THE MASTERPLAN. – Within 60 days from the 
19 
implementation of this Act, upon the recommendation of the Secretaries of National 
20 
Defense and Budget and Management, the Masterplan shall be submitted by the 
21 
Philippine Navy for the approval of the President of the Philippines. 
22 
 
23 
SEC. 5. FUNDING. – An initial appropriation of Five Billion Pesos 
24 
(Php5,000,000,000.00) shall be allocated for the initial budgetary requirements of this 
25 
Act. Thereafter, such amount as may be necessary for the implementation of the 
26 
Masterplan as provided for in this Act shall be included in the annual General 
27 
Appropriations Act (GAA) of the Philippine Navy. 
28 
 
29 
 
SEC. 6. SEPARABILITY CLAUSE. – If any portion or provision of this Act is 
30 
declared unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity and effectivity of the 
31 
other provisions not affected thereby. 
32 
 
33 
 
SEC. 7. REPEALING CLAUSE. -  All laws, presidential decrees, letters of 
34 
instructions, executive orders, rules, regulations, and other issuances or parts thereof 
35 
which are contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby revoked, 
36 
repealed, amended or modified accordintly. 
37 
 
38 
 
SEC. 8. EFFECTIVITY CLAUSE. – This act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
39 
following the completion of its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least one (1) 
40 
newspaper of general circulation. 
41 
Approved
42