16TH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC ) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
Second Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
" 
Senate Bill No.-2-5 9 7 
Introduced by SENATOR SONNY ANGARA 
AN ACT 
MANDATING THE INSTALLATION OF 200 WATTS SOLAR PANELS IN PUBLIC 
SCHOOL BUILDINGS WHERE ELECTRICITY IS NOT AVAILABLE 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
This bill is a counterpart of A TEACHER Partylist Representative Julieta R. 
Cortuna's HB No. 4715 entitled, ''An Act Mandating the Installation of 200 Watts Solar 
Panels in Public School Buildings Where Electricity is Not Available". 
Several studies have shown how the quality of light can enhance the academic 
performance of children. Unfortunately, there are still public schools in the remote areas 
of the country that are without electricity as(,according to the National Electrification 
Administration, there are still 14,000 sitios without electricity to date. Thus, we have 
public school students who are not yet enjoying the convenience and benefits of having 
electricity, such as bright lit classrooms and the use of computers as tools for learning. 
This measure aims to address this gap and makes available to public schools 
solar panels that will energize classrooms and promote better learning and 
comprehension skills among our schoolchildren while recognizing the NEA's ongoing 
electrification program which will eventually include all public classrooms around the 
country. At which point, solar power will serve as an either primary or alternative power 
source for the benefitted public classrooms. 
In view of the foregoing, the early passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
~ 
SONNY ANGARA 
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16th CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC ) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
Second Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 
259 7 
Introduced by SENATOR SONNY ANGARA 
AN ACT 
MANDATING THE INSTALLATION OF 200 WATTS SOLAR PANELS IN PUBLIC 
SCHOOL BUILDINGS WHERE ELECTRICITY IS NOT AVAILABLE 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
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SECTION 1. Declaration of Policy. It shall be the policy of the state to improve 
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the quality of education in all areas nationwide. When electricity is not available, support 
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technology for a quality education could not be delivered. The installation of 200 watts 
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solar panels in selected classrooms or facilities will ensure that all schools nationwide will 
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have power to energize basic teaching tools such as computers, printers and other 
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laboratory equipment enabling them to deliver the same degree of quality teaching as 
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other schools to improve the quality of education. 
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SECTION 2. The Department of Education is hereby mandated to ensure that all 
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public elementary and high school buildings nationwide which cannot be connected to 
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the grid shall be installed with solar panels with a capacity of at least 200 watts. 
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The solar panels that will be installed to the school buildings shall include 
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system components which include but not limited to charge controllers, inverters and 
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batteries for it generate at least 200 watts of alternating current (AC) at a standard 
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votage of 220 volts. 
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SECTION 3. Cooperation. The Department of Education (DepEd) shall cooperate 
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with the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Department of Science and Technology 
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(DOST) to address the technical requirements of implementing the provisions of this Act. 
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SECTION 4. Coverage. For purposes of implementing the provisions of this Act, 
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the schools to be installed with 200 watts solar panels shall include the following: 
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a) 
b) 
Public elementary or high school bUildings not smaller than the size of 
three (3) classrooms in barangays where electrical line installation is not 
available; 
School laboratory or educational support facility of any size located in 
barangays where electrical line installation is not available. 
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SECTION 5. The budget necessary for the implementation of this Act with respect 
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to public schools shall be included in the annual budget of the DepEd. 
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SECTION 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. The DepEd shall issue the 
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corresponding rules and regulations necessary for the implementation of this Act. 
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SECTION 7. Repealing Clause. All laws and parts of any law, order, rule and 
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regulation or parts thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or amended 
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accordingly. 
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SECTION 8. Effective Clause. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
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publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
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