Geothermal Reservation Under Proclamation No. 2036-A
- A parcel of land in Manito, Albay and Bacon, Sorsogon is reserved for geothermal exploitation, exploration, and development.
- The area is administered by the Philippine National Oil Company-Energy Development Corporation (PNOC-EDC).
- All logging activities within this reservation are prohibited to conserve forest cover and geothermal resources.
- Existing permits and licenses for logging in the area prior to the proclamation are revoked.
Policy Consistency and Inclusion of the Geothermal Area
- Government policy mandates the Ministry of Energy to develop indigenous energy resources.
- The Ministry should also contribute to protection, management, and rehabilitation of watershed and forest reservations.
- The geothermal area under Proclamation No. 2036-A is included under the coverage of Presidential Decree No. 1515, as amended.
Powers and Authority of the Ministry of Energy
- Jurisdiction, control, and regulation of the Manito, Albay and Bacon geothermal watershed areas are vested with the Ministry of Energy.
- The Ministry, through the National Power Corporation, is responsible for management, protection, development, and rehabilitation of these watersheds.
- The responsibility aligns with Section 2 of Presidential Decree No. 1515, as amended.
Effectivity
- The Executive Order takes effect immediately upon issuance.
Legal Framework
- The Order is issued by the President of the Philippines under the powers granted by the Constitution.
- It is pursuant specifically to Section 1 of Presidential Decree No. 1515, as amended by Presidential Decree No. 1749.
- This legal framework provides the basis for transferring jurisdiction and the exercise of regulatory powers over these watershed areas.