Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _____ 
Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.,  
HON. MIGUEL LUIS R. VILLAFUERTE, HON. TSUYOSHI ANTHONY G. 
HORIBATA AND HON. NICOLAS ENCISO VIII 
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, in 
2018, the Philippines ranked 1st in Asia and 5th 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 RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.        
  MIGUEL LUIS R. VILLAFUERTE 
TSUYOSHI ANTHONY G. HORIBATA 
NICOLAS ENCISO VIII 
July 11, 2022
5:21 pm
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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _____ 
Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.,  
HON. MIGUEL LUIS R. VILLAFUERTE, HON. TSUYOSHI ANTHONY G. 
HORIBATA AND HON. NICOLAS ENCISO VIII 
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”. 
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;
c. 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
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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 Appropriations 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,