GOVERNING LAWS AND ISSUANCES

Presidential Decree No. 1442
An act promoting the exploration and development of geothermal resources

Presidential Decree No. 40
An act establishing basic policies for the electric power industry

Republic Act No. 6957
An act authorizing the financing, construction, operation and maintenance of infrastructure projects by the private sector, and for other purposes

Republic Act No. 9136
An act ordaining reforms in the electric power industry, amending for the purpose certain laws and for other purposes

Executive Order No. 215
An executive order amending Presidential Decree No. 40 and allowing the private sector to generate electricity

Proclamation No. 739
An act establishing as reservation, for the purpose of the exploration, development, exploitation and utilization of geothermal energy, natural gas and methane gas, a parcel of land in the Province of Albay, Island of Luzon, Philippines

Proclamation No. 1413
An act establishing as reservation, for the purpose of the exploration, development, exploitation and utilization of geothermal energy, natural gas and methane gas, a parcel of land in the Province of Negros, Island of Negros, Philippines

DOE Circular No. 2000-02-001
Revised Geothermal Safety and Health Rules and Regulations. This Circular contains the new administrative requirements on occupational safety and health provisions and updated standards for effective safety management of geothermal operations in the country

Other Issuances

Energy Regulation 1-94
Rules and regulations implementing Section 5 (i) of RA 7638

The Omnibus Investments Code of 1987 (Executive Order No. 226)

Foreign Investment Act of 1991 (Republic Act No. 7042)
An act promoting foreign investments and prescribing the procedures for registering enterprises doing business in the Philippines and for other purposes

Philippine Environmental Policy Act of 1997 (Presidential Decree No. 1151)
An act requiring the government and the private sector to undertake environmental impact assessments of their project activities which may significantly affect the quality of the environment

Philippine Environmental Code (Presidential Decree No. 1152)
An act providing detailed prescriptions on the management of air quality, water quality, land use, natural resources and waste

Environmental Impact Statement System (Presidential Decree No. 1586)
An act providing the details on the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) System

National Integrated Protected Areas System Act of 1992 (Republic Act No. 7586)
The act providing for the establishment and management of national integrated protected areas systems, defining its scope and coverage. Section 14 of the NIPAS Act specifies the survey of energy resources in protected areas solely for data gathering. Any exploitation and utilization of energy resources found within NIPAS areas shall be allowed only through passage of law by Congress

The Indigenous People's Rights Act of 1997 (Republic Act No. 8371)
An act establishing the implementing mechanisms to protect and promote the rights of indigenous cultural communities/indigenous peoples

Rules & Regulations Implementing the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (R. A. 9136)

Philippine Grid Code of 2001
An act establishing the basic rules, requirements, procedures, and standards that govern the operation, maintenance, and development of the high-voltage backbone Transmission System in the Philippines

Philippine Distribution Code of 2001
An act establishing the basic rules, procedures, requirements, and standards that govern the operation, maintenance and development of the electric Distribution System in the Philippines

Tourism Investment Laws

Executive Order No. 63
Executive Order granting incentives to foreigners investing at least US$50,000 in a tourist-related project or in any tourist establishment as determined by the Committee created in the same law.

Omnibus Investments Code (Executive Order No. 226)
Executive Order authorizing the Board of Investments to grant fiscal and non-fiscal incentives for local and foreign investors engaged in tourism activities listed under the current Investments Priorities Plan (IPP).

Foreign Investment Act of 1991 (Republic Act. No. 7042 as Amended by Republic Act No. 8179)
With the passage of the Foreign Investments Act, foreign nationals are now allowed to invest up to 100% equality participation in new or existing economic activities including restaurant operations that are incidental to the hotel business. Foreign equity participation of up to 40% is allowed in the operation and management of utilities (i.e. Land, air, and water transport.

Built-Operate-Transfer (BOT) Law (Republic Act No. 6957 As amended by Republic Act No. 7718)
The BOT Law authorized the financing, construction, operation and maintenance of infrastructure projects by the private sector. It allows a national implementing agencies and local government units to enter into BOT arrangement as a means of encouraging the participation of foreign and local companies in the country's infrastructure development program.

Special Economic Zone Act of 1995 (Republic Act No. 7916)
This Republic Act provides for the legal framework and mechanism for the creation, operation, administration and coordination of Special Economic Zones Authority (PEZA) and for other purposes.

Retail Trade Liberalization Act of 2000 (Republic Act No. 8762)
An act liberalizing the retail trade business, repealing for the purpose of Republic Act No. 1180, as amended, and for other purposes.