FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
S.No 208 
Introduced by Senator Antonio "Sonny" F. Trillanes IV 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
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.jilL -6 !Hi :'i 7 
Section 10, Article XIV of the Constitution provides that "Science and Technology are essential 
for national development and progress. The State shall give priority to research and 
development, invention, innovation, and their utilization to science and technology education, 
training and services. It shall support indigenous appropriate and self- reliant scientific and 
technological capabilities and their application to the country's capabilities and their application 
to the productive system and national life." 
At present, we are too dependent on imported crude oil for our entire energy needs. Other 
sources of energy such as hydroelectric and geothermal energy are not enough to supply our 
energy needs. There is, therefore, a need to explore and develop other alternative sources of 
energy in order to solve our current energy crisis. 
Being a tropical country, the Philippines is blessed with abundant sunlight which can be tapped 
as an inexhaustible, cheap, and environmentally safe source of energy. As compared to other 
conventional fuel, solar energy merely harnesses the heat of the sun; hence, it does not pollute 
the air nor the sea. 
This bill seeks to establish the solar energy development authority. Since solar energy is a 
relatively new technology in the country, its potential use as an economical, safe and efficient 
energy source is generally unknown to the consuming public. It is therefore, necessary to create a 
government entity that would initiate and promote public acceptance of this new technology. It is 
envisioned that with solar energy, people will be more conscious of protecting their environment. 
Hence, approval of this bill is earnestly requested. 
~~t_ 
Mfro)qO·"SONNY,~f. TRILLANES IV 
Senator 
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FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
S!No 208 
, 0 
.JUL -6 1\ b :';7 
Introduced by Senator Antonio "Sonny" F. Trillancs IV 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISIDNG THE SOLAR ENERGY DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY AND 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representative of the Philippines in Congress 
Assembled: 
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SECTION 1. There is hereby created the Solar Energy Development Authority 
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hereinafter referred to as the" Authority" which shall undertake to do researches and promote the 
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development and utilization of the solar energy. 
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SEC. 2. The powers and functions of the Authority shall be vested in a Board of 
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Directors consisting of a Chainnan and four (4) members who shall be appointed by the 
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President of the Philippines with the consent of the Commission on Appointments. The chainnan 
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and the two (2) members shall serve for a tenn of four (4) years, while the remaining two (2) 
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members shall be an ex-officio members, who shall be composed of the Secretary of 
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Environment and Natural Resources and the Secretary of Science and Technology. They shall 
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receive compensation as may be fixed by the President of the Philippines which shall not exceed 
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with those given to Commissioners of a Constitutional Body. No person shall be appointed 
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Chainnan or members of the board unless he is a natural born Filipino citizen at least thirty (30) 
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years of age, of good moral character, and must be of recognized competence in the fields of 
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science and technology. 
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SEC. 3. The Board of Directors shall have the following duties and responsibilities: 
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a) Prepare and issue rules and regulations as it considers necessary for the effective 
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discharge of its function: 
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b) Direct the management, operations, and administration of the authority; 
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c) Adopt and use corporate seal; 
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d) Make contracts; 
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e) Sue and be sued; 
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t) Appoint such officers and employees as are not otherwise provided for in this Act, to 
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define their duties, fix their compensation, discipline, and dismiss anyone of them for 
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cause, subject to the Civil Service Commission rules and regulations; 
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g) Exercise such incidental powers as shall be necessary to carry on the functions of the 
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authority. 
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SEC. 4. The Authority shall have the following powers and functions: 
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a) Conduct extensive research on alternative sources of energy; 
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b) Formulate a comprehensive policy for the research, development, and utilization of 
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alternative sources of energy; 
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c) Implement the government program on the allocation, distribution, and sale of 
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alternative sources of energy; 
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d) Perform such other powers and functions as may be necessary to carry out the 
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provisions of this Act. 
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SEC. 5. The chairman shall be the Chief Operating Officer. In case of absence or 
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whenever the Chairman is unable to act, the Board shall designate who among its members shall 
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act as the Chairman. 
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SEC. 6. The amount necessary, for the effective implementation of this Act shall be 
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charged to the appropriation for the Department of Science and Technology under the current 
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General Appropriation Act. Thereafter such sum as may be necessary for continuous operation of 
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the Authority shall be included in the annual General Appropriation Act. 
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SEC. 7. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its pUblication in the Official 
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Gazatte or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
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