Laws and Issuances Governing Petroleum Exploration

DOE Circular No. DC2017-12-0017

Adopting the Philippine Conventional Energy Contracting Program (PCECP) of awarding Petroleum Service Contracts (PSCs) and creating the Review and Evaluation Committee (REC)

DOE Circular No. DC2014-03-0005

Reiterating a transparent and competitive system of awarding Service Contracts and Operating Contracts for Petroleum and Coal Prospective Areas, repealing for this purpose Department Circular Nos. DC2011-12-0010 and DC2012-02-0003

DOE Circular No. DC2010-03-0005

Providing additional guidelines for a transparent and competitive system of awarding service/operating contracts for coal and petroleum prospective areas amending for this purpose Department Circular No. 2006-12-0014.

DOE Circular No. DC2009-04-0004

Reiterating a transparent and competitive system of awarding service/operating contracts for coal, geothermal and petroleum prospective areas repealing for this purpose Department Circular No. 2006-12-0014.

DOE Circular No. DC2006-12-0014

Reiterating a transparent and competitive system of awarding service/operating contracts for coal, geothermal and petroleum prospective areas, repealing for this purpose Department Circular No. 2003-05-005 and Department Circular No. 2005-04-004.

Oil Exploration and Development Act of 1972  

The Act, conferred by Presidential Decree 87, provides the legal basis for the exploration and development of indigenous petroleum resources in the country authorizing the grant of service contracts entered into thru public bidding, or through negotiations.

Presidential Decree 1857

This law amended certain sections of PD 87 offering improved fiscal and contractual terms to service contractors with special reference to deepwater oil exploration.

DOE Circular No. 2003-05-006

DC 2003-05-006 provides the guidelines to the financial and technical capabilities of a viable petroleum exploration and production company. 

DOE Circular No. DC2005-04-004

Investment Promotion and contracting rounds for Geothermal and Coal Prospective Areas.

DOE Regulating Body

DOE Order No. DC2018-03-0003

Creation of a Centralized Review and Evaluation Committee (C-REC) for the purpose of integrating the current committees administering the review and evaluation of renewable energy, petroleum, downstream natural gas, and Coal Service Contract applications, the award, amendment and termination of contracts

Incentives

OEA Circular No. 87-12-003

The sliding scale allowance from one and one-half percent (1.5%) to seven and one-half percent (7.5) of the gross proceeds granted to the Contractor when the aggregate participation in the Contract by one or more Filipino citizens and/or companies is from fifteen percent (15%) to thirty percent (30%).

OEA Circular No. 92-10-05

The allowance of seven and one-half percent (7.5%) of the gross proceeds granted to Contractor when the aggregate participation in the Service Contract by one or more Filipino citizens and/or companies is at least fifteen percent (15%) in respect of a Deepwater Contract.

DOE Circular No. 94-01-01

The allowance of seven and one-half percent (7.5%) of the gross proceeds granted to Contractor when the aggregate participation in the Contract by one or more Filipino citizens and/or companies is at least fifteen percent (15%) in respect of the drilling of a well by the Contractor in water depths beyond 200 meters, whether within or outside a Deepwater Area.

Other national measures

Philippine Environmental Policy Act (Presidential Decree 1151)

Enacted in 1977, this act requires 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 (P.D. 1152)

The Code provides a detailed prescription on the management of air quality, water quality, land use, natural resources and waste.

Environmental Impact Statement System (P.D. 1586)

The decree which took effect in 1978 provides details on Environmental Impact Statement System.

National Integrated Protected Areas System Act of 1992

The act, by virtue of Republic Act No. 7586, provides for the establishment and management of national integrated protected areas system, 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 thru passage of law by Congress.

The Indigenous People's Rights Act of 1997 (Republic Act 8371)

Establishes implementing mechanisms to protect and promote the rights of indigenous cultural communities/indigenous peoples.