Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Queson City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

1709
HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F, VILLAFUERTE, JR.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Solar energy has become quite a popular alternative source for electricity generation
in recent years, along with the rise of renewable energy and its developments. It is
also one of the more popular renewable energy choices for projects among investors
in the country—as of 2011, renewable energy has accounted for over 43% of
investment approvals by the Board of Investments of the Department of Trade and
Industry. The country, however, still largely relies on oil-based and coal-powered
plants, albeit solar energy being a very viable source. Other sources of energy are
more expensive and produce more carbon emissions than solar energy. In fact, the
Philippines ranked 1* in Asia and 5" in the world in its potential for solar photovoltaic
systems, owing to the country being located near the equator. Utilizing this potential
would help progress and improve energy in the country.

This bill proposes to use the country’s potential for this energy source and establish
the Solar Energy Development Center as an attached agency of the Department of
Energy for policy and program coordination. The center aims to be the leading
institution on the research of solar energy and existing technologies for its utilization
and development. It intends to conduct studies and develop methods on more
accessible use of solar energy in the country, as well as be lead policy and programs
on the implementation of which. The goal is to ultimately provide better services,
such as electricity, at as little cost to the consumers and the environment.

The approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

LUIS Ri 'Y” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Queson City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No, 1708

Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F, VILLAFUERTE, JR.

AN ACT
CREATING THE SOLAR ENERGY DEVELOPMENT CENTER AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines
in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Solar Energy Development
Center Act of 2018”

SECTION 2. Solar Energy Development Center. - The Solar Energy Development
Center (hereinafter referred to as the "Center’) is hereby established, which shall be
attached to the Department of Energy for policy and program coordination.

SECTION 3. Purposes and Objectives. - The Center shall have the following
purposes and objectives:

a. To scientifically research solar energy and existing technologies for its
utilization and development;

b. To conduct studies and develop methods on more accessible use of solar
energy;

¢. To implement the government program on the allocation, distribution, and sale
of solar energy;

d. To promote the use, research, and introduction to the market of technologies
utilizing solar energy; and


e. To perform such functions related to solar energy development that will redound
to the public.

SECTION 4. Board of Directors. - The powers and functions of the Center shall be
vested in a Board of Trustees (hereinafter referred to as the “Board’).

a. Composition - The Board shall be composed of six (6) members who are
natural-born Filipino citizens, at least thirty (30) years of age, and must have
recognized competence in the fields of science and technology. The members
are as follows:

a. Chairperson appointed by the President of the Philippines;

b. Two (2) members appointed by the President of the Philippines; and

c. Secretary of the Department of Energy, Secretary of Environment and
Natural Resources (DENR), and the Secretary of the Department of
Science and Technology (DOST) as ex-officio members.

b. Term — The chairman and the two (2) members of the Board shall serve for a
term of four (4) years from the date of appointment.

SECTION 5. Powers and Duties of the Board of Directors. - The Board shall have
the following specific powers:

a. To promulgate rules and regulations, not contrary to laws, which it
considers necessary for the effective discharge of its function;

b. To receive and appropriate all sums as may be provided for the support
of the Traffic Center in any manner it may determine, in its discretion, to
carry out the purposes and functions of the Center;

c. To receive in trust legacies, gifts, and donations of real and personal
properties of all kinds to administer and dispose of the same when
necessary for the benefit of the Center, subject to limitations, directions,
and instructions of the donor, if any.

Such donations shall be exempt from the donor's tax and the same shall
be considered as allowable deductions from the gross income in the
computation of the income tax of the donor, in accordance with the


provisions of the National Internal Revenue Code, as amended:
Provided, That such donations shall not be disposed of, transferred, or
sold;

d. To establish a research center for the carrying out of its function; and

e. To exercise such incidental powers as may be necessary to carry out
the functions of the Center.

SECTION 6. Executive Director. - The administration of the Center shall be vested
in an Executive Director who shall render full-time service. The Executive Director shall
be appointed by the Board. He shall have a term of four (4) years and shall be eligible
for reappointment for another term.

In case of vacancy by reason of death, compulsory retirement, resignation, removal
for cause, or incapacity of the Executive Director to perform the functions of the Center,
the Board shall have the authority to designate an officer-in-charge of the Traffic
Center within six (6) months from the date of vacancy pending the appointment of a
new Executive Director.

The Executive Director shall exercise the following powers and duties

a. To direct the management, operations, and administration of the Center;

b. To appoint such officers and employees, to define their duties, fix their
compensation, discipline, and dismiss any for cause, subject to the Civil Service
Commission rules and regulations; and

c. To develop arrangements for institutional capability building with appropriate
institutions and agencies, public or private, local or foreign, and to appoint
experts or specialists as consultations, researchers, as the case may be.

SECTION 7. Appropriations. ~ The amount of one hundred million (Php
100,000,000.00) for the structure, equipment, initial operation, and maintenance of the
Solar Energy Development Center shall be sourced from the appropriations for the
Department of Energy. Subsequent subsidy for the years thereafter shall be included
in the General Approprations Act.


SECTION 8. Separability Clause. - Should any provision herein be declared
unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity of the other provisions of this
Act.

SECTION 9. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, orders, rules, and regulations or
other issuances or parts inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby
repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.

SECTION 10. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect in fifteen (15) days after
publication in the Official Gazette or in one (1) newspaper of general circulation in the
Philippines.

Approved,