Petroleum reservation.
Article 13
ART. 13. Petroleum reservation.—Upon the recommendation of the Secretary of Agriculture and Natural sources, the President of the Philippines may set apart petroleum reservations, and shall, by proclamation, declare the establishment of such reservations and the boundaries thereof. The Government may explore, develop, and exploit such petroleum reservation either by itself or through its in-strumentalities, or through competent persons under a contract of service, in accordance with article five of this Act. Proposals by qualified persons to carry out such work for the Government as independent contractor or contractors shall be filed with the Director of Mines who shall forward the same with his findings and recommendations to the Secretary of Agriculture and Natural Resources who, in turn, shall submit the same with his recommendations to the president of the Philippines. The President is hereby authorized to take such necessary action as he may deem proper on such proposals and for this purpose, may execute the necessary contract or contracts for and in behalf of the Government. In the event such contract is executed, the same shall be submitted to the Congress of the Philippines for its approval. No petroleum reservation may be established over any areas covered by application for Exploration or Exploitation Concession already filed or granted. If at any time after the establishment of a petroleum reservation, the Secretary of Agriculture and Natural Resources, after due investigation, should find it to the best interest of the Government, that any area within the reservation should be opened to Exploration or Exploitation Concession under the provisions of this Act, such area or areas may be recommended to be released from the reservation and declared open to Exploration or Exploitation Concession under this Act by an executive proclamation of the President concurred in by a joint resolution of the Congress of the Philippines.