Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

2149

HOUSE BILL NO. ~~

Introduced by Rep. Winston “Winnie” Castelo

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Since the creation of the Energy Development Board in 1976 pursuant to PD No.
910 on start up appropriation of P5 milion, ‘the fees, revenues and receipts from any
and all sources including receipts from service contracts and agreements; all money
collected from concessionaires as well as government share representing royalties,
rentals, production share on service contracts and similar resources’ have formed part of
a Special Fund to finance energy resource development and for other purposes as the
President may direct’ ~ have already ballooned to nearly reach the P80 billion threshold
as in the case of the Malampaya Natural Gas Project.

But until the law is amended, the fund is deemed part of a Special rund well
within the Board to administer in accordance with its powers under PD No, 910 to
finance unergy-related programs and projects of government. Additionally, for other
‘such pursoses, the President may so direct use of such funds,

This bill therefore contemplates that the funds of Malampaya Natural Gas
Project, now in the near P80 billion mark, said to be ‘floating up in budget clouds’ be
channeled to the General Fund. This may mean a shift or transfer from being a Special
Fund to a General Fund category. In this way, it shall be included in the Budget of
Expenditures and Sources of Financing (BESF) of the General Appropriations Act (GAA)
rendering the funds subject to reasonable, transparent and democratic utilization based
on projected expenditures.

Truth is, this bill serves as what Is termed as ‘appropriations cover from
Congrese’ 80 it will now be treated not as special fund, not as off-budget item but rather
as Gener. Fund and as on-budget item that can be prioritized for general utilization.

‘Amending the important provisions of PD No. 910,
key to the fullest utilization of the proceeds that have al

general public welfare just as well

Passage of this bill is highly sought.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNO.__2149

Introduced by Rep. Winston “Winnie” Castelo

AN ACT
AMENDING CERTAIN SECTIONS OF PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 910 CF ZATING
AN ENERGY DEVELOPMENT BOARD, DEFINING ITS POWERS AND FUN( TIONS,
PROVIDING FUNDS, THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it en: cted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congres: assembled:

Section 1 of Presidential Decree No. 910 is hereby amended to read as follows:
“Section 1. Declaration of Policy. it is declared policy of the State to achieve self-
reliance in the country's energy requirements primarily through the intensified and
coordinated exploration, exploitation and development of indigenous energy resources in
order to accelerate overall economic growth and general public welfare.”

Section 8 of Presidential Decree No. 910 is hereby amended to read as follows:

“Section | Appropriations. The sum of Five Million Pesos out of any available funds
from the | ational Treasury is hereby appropriated and authorized to be released for the
organization of the Board and its initial operations. Henceforth, funds sufficient to carry

out the functions and objectives of the Board shall be appropriated every
the General Appropriations Act.

cal year in

All fees, revenues and receipts of the Board from any and all sources including receipts
from service contracts and agreements such as application and processing fees,
signature bonus, discovery bonus, production bonus; all money collected from
concessionaires, representing unspent work obligations, fines and penalties under the
Petroleum Act of 1949; as well as the government share representing royaltiev, rentals,
production share on service contracts and similar payments on the exnloration,
development and exploitation of energy resources, shall form part of the Gene ‘al Fund
to be used to finance energy resource development and exploitation progr ms and
projects of the government and for such other purposes that redound to general public
welfare as may be hereafter directed by the President.”

Approver',