NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
F/rst Regular Session
SENATE
S. No. 654
'AjDffur of til? ^rr..ft<U7>
•22 JIJL 14 P4:08
RECEIVED BY.
Introduced by SENATOR FRANCIS "TOL" N. TOLENTINO
AN ACT
INSTITUTIONALIZING THE PHILIPPINE NAVY FOR'wVARD OPi.RATING 
BASES, APPROPRIATING FUNDS FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT THEREOF, AND
FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The Philippines, as an archipelagic country, is surrounded by a coastline 
stretching up to 36,289' kilometers and by both external and internal waters, thus 
forming part of the national territory. As such, the Armed Forces of the Philippines is 
mandated by the State to defend the national territory from external aggression, 
secure the country's nriaritime areas from all forms of intrusions and encroachment, 
piracy and drug trafficking and shall likewise assist other government agencies in 
protecting our marine resources and environment, among others.
This is pursuant to the policy of the State, as enshrined in Sec. 3, Art. II of 
the 1987 Constitution, which states:
Section 3. Civilian authority is, at all times, supreme over the 
military. The Armed Forces of the Philippines is the protector of the 
people ano the State. Its goal is to secure the sovereignty of the State 
and the integrity of the national territory.
In line with the Philippine Navy Strategic Basing Plan 2040, the Philippine 
Navy has identified several strategic sites around the country which are existing for 
further development or which are proposed to be developed. However, the
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establishment of bases in such areas remains a challenge as there are difficulties in 
acquiring these pruperties or in developing these due to lack of resources, among 
others.
However, in light of the changing times and growing modern-day complexities 
in the region, there remains the need to continue strengthening and upgrading the 
equipment, facilities and manpower of the Philippine Navy in ordei to enable it to 
perform its duties and functions, for national security reasons.
It is hereby proposed that the Philippine Navy be empowered to establish 
forward operating bases in the sites identified by the Philippine Navy in its Strategic 
Basing Plan 2040 for its bases and instaliations.
A forward operating base, which is smaller than a main naval base and naval 
operating base, wili not require the same budgetary allocation as the latter, and 
shall serve as an outpost in strategic locations near the West Philippine Sea and the 
Philippine Rise. These forward operating bases are to be established with the end in 
view of serving as a naval and military facility that can immediately carry out the 
mandate of the Philippine Navy in the far-flung areas of the country and as a 
potential site for future upgrade and expansion.
The proposed measure is likewise consistent with Republic Act No. 7898, 
otherwise known as the "AFP Modernization Act," which provides that it is the policy 
of the State to modernize the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to a level where 
it can effectively and fully perform its constitutiof.al mandate to uphold the 
sovereignty and preserve the patrimony of the Republic of the Philippines.
In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly sought.
IS "TOL" N. TOLENTINO


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session 
)
SEN 
S. No.
./«©ffirr o( tlie £;
*22 jUL 14 P4 :08
RECEIVED BV
Introduced by SENATOR FRANCIS "TOL" N. TOLENTINO
AN ACT
INSTITUTIONALISING THE PHILIPPINE NAVY FORWARD OPERATING 
BASES, APPROPRIATING FUNDS FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT THEREOF,
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
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Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Philippine Navy
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Archipelagic Defense Act."
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Sec. 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
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territory.
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The State likewise recognizes the mission of the Philippine 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 tne 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
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and 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.
Sec. 3. Scope and Limitations.. - The Act shall be limited in scope, 
application, and effectivity to the sites identified by the Philippine Navy in its 
Strategic Basing Plan 2040 as priority sites, as enumerated in Section 5 of this Act, 
for the establishment of its bases and installations.
Sec. 4. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of tljie Act, the following terms 
shall mean;
a. Forward operating bases (FOB) - 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 Pian 2040 - It shall refer to the existing plan of the 
Philippine Navy to acquire and develop properties for the establishment of 
bases and installations in strategic sites throughout the country.
Sec. 5. 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:
a. 
Busuanga, Palawan;
b. 
Subic Bay, Zambales;
c. 
Mavulis Island, Batanes;
d. 
Lubang Island, Mindoro;
e. 
Surigao, Surigao del Norte;
f. 
Allen, Northern Samar;
g. 
Polilio Island, Quezon;
h. 
Bicobian, Divilacan, Isabela;
i. 
Casiguran, Aurora;


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Sarangani Davao Occidental;
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Balabac, Palawan; and
I. 
Mapun, Tawi-Tawi
Sec, 6. Masterplan for the Establishment of Forward Operating
Bases. - 7o be able to attain the policy and objectives set forth in th:s Act, there 
shall be established a Masterplan Governing the Establishment of Forward Operating 
Bases, hereinafter referred to as the Masterplan, which shall be confidential, and 
shall contain the priority sites, the schedule, the proposed facilities therein, the 
estimated cost of the same, among others.
In particular, the Masterplan shall contain the following:
a. Set a timeline for the acquisition of the properties in the priority sites, as 
defined in Section 5, the planning for the development of the same, and 
the development of the forward operating bases Itself, provided that the 
timelines to be set shall not exceed three years; and
b. Features of the proposed facilities to be acquired, developed, constructed 
or installed in the forward operating bases in the prioi ity areas.
Sec. 7. Preparation of the Masterplan. - Within sixty (60) days from the 
effectivity 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. 8. Funding. - An appropriation of One Billion Pesos 
(Phpl,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 
Appropriation Act (GAA) of the Department of National Defense.
Sec. 9. Separability Clause. - If any portion or provision of this Act Is 
declared unconstitutional or invalid, the same shall .not affect the validity and 
effectivity of the other portions or provisions not affected thereby.


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Sec. 10. Repealing Clause. - All laws, prtsidentidl decree.:, letters of
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instructions, executive orders, rules and regulations, and other issuances or parts
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thereof which are contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this act are
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hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.
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Sec. 11. Eneciivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days
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following its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general
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circulation.
Approved,