EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
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S E N A T E  
s. no.1143
S enate
M ttr  of 
J0»ecrftarp
•If 
NOV *-5 
P I 0 6
RECEIVED BV:
Introduced by Senator Francis "Tol" N. Tolentino
AN ACT
INSTITUTIONALIZING THE PHILIPPINE NAVY FORWARD OPERATING 
BASES, APPROPRIATING FUNDS FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT THEREOF, AND 
FOR OTHER PURPOSES
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 maritime 
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 o f the Philippines is the protector o f the people and
the State. Its  goal is to  secure the sovereignty o f the State and the
in te g rity o f the national te rrito ry."
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


establishment of bases in such areas remains a challenge as there are difficulties in 
acquiring these properties 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 order 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 installations.
A forward operating base, which is smaller than a main naval base and naval 
operating base, will 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 will likewise be in line 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 constitutional 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.
TOL" N. TOLENTINO


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
S enate
of t|jf &ftrrtBrj>
•19 NOV-5 PI :36
S E N A T E
S. No
Introduced by Senator Francis "Tol" N. Tolentino
AN ACT
INSTITUTIONALIZING THE PHILIPPINE NAVY FORWARD OPERATING 
BASES, APPROPRIATING FUNDS FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT THEREOF, AND 
FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House o f Representatives o f the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
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Section 1. Short Title. -  This Act shall be known as the "Philippine Navy 
Archipelagic Defense Act."
Sec. 2. Declaration o f Policy. -  The State declares that the Armed Forces of the 
Philippines (AFP) is the protector of the people and the State. The goal of the 
AFP is to secure the sovereignty of the State and the integrity of the national 
territory.
The State likewise recognizes the mission of the Philippine Navy, as a 
branch of the AFP, to organize, train, equip, maintain, develop and deploy 
forces for the prompt and sustained naval and maritime operations in support 
of the Unified Commands in the accomplishment of the AFP mission.
It is the policy of the State to modernize the AFP to a level where it 
can effectively and fully perform its constitutional mandate to uphold the 
sovereignty and preserve the patrimony of the Republic of the Philippines.
In order to effectively carry out the mandate of the Philippine Navy, 
the establishment of forward operating bases in the sites identified by the


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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 o f Terms. -  For purposes of the Act, the following terms 
shall mean:
a. Forward operating bases (FOB) - I t  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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j) Sarangani, Davao Occidental;
k) Balabac, Palawan; and
l) Mapun, Tawi-Tawi


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Sec. 6 Masterplan for the Establishment o f Forward Operating Bases. -  To be 
able to attain the policy and objectives set forth in this 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 
priority areas.
Sec. 
7. 
Preparation o f the Masterplan. -  Within 60 days from the 
implementation 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 
initial 
appropriation 
of One 
Billion 
Pesos 
(P1,000,000,000.00) 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 Appropriations Act (GAA) of the Philippine Navy.
Sec. 9. Separabiiity Clause. -  If any portion or provision of this Act is declared 
unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity and effectivity of the 
other provisions not affected thereby.
Sec. 
10. Repealing Cause. -  All laws, presidential decrees, letters of 
instructions, executive orders, rules, regulations, and other issuances or parts 
thereof which are contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this act are 
hereby revoked, repealed, amended or modified accordingly.


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Sec. 11. Effectivity Clause. 
-  This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
following the completion of its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least 
one (1) newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,