Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

3960

HOUSE BILL NO, ““

Introduced by REPRESENTATIVE JOEL MAYO Z. ALMARIO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill mandates all franchise grantees and industries that deliver services to the
general public using wires and cables to move their cables underground, or to utilize
color coded wires clearly identifying the company to which it belongs. Further, this bill
directs relevant government agencies to disconnect and detach from utility poles all
wires and cables that have not been moved underground, nor identified and color coded
by any franchise grantee within the time frame allowed by this bill.

Modern cities and highly developed countries are commonly free of wires and
cables that stretch across the sky. However, in the Philippines, power lines and power
posts are the norm, lining city streets and communities nationwide. The numerous
hanging wires and cables are not only eyesores, but a hazard to public safety. During
typhoons, wires and poles topple over, causing power and communication interruptions.
This affects the quality of life of the citizens, the economic activities of the country, and
the general safety and security of the populace. This is without mentioning the actual
physical danger caused by poles falling - including property destruction, bodily injuries,
electrocution, or even death. Clearly, there are numerous issues about the reliability of
overhead lines that can be addressed by relocating overhead cables underground.

However, recognizing that not all franchise grantees are immediately capable of
repositioning their cables, an option of color coding the wires is also given by this bill.
This addresses the issue of jumbled cables as the unidentified cables may be detached
from the poles, lessening the unnecessary hanging cables.

A similar version of this bill was filed during the 17% Congress. Support for this
bill is again earnestly sought.

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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

3960
HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by REPRESENTATIVE JOEL MAYO Z. ALMARIO

AN ACT REQUIRING ALL FRANCHISE GRANTEES USING WIRES AND CABLES IN
THE OPERATION OF THEIR BUSINESSES TO RELOCATE ALL WIRES AND CABLES
UNDERGROUND OR USE COLORED WIRES AND CABLES TO IDENTIFY THEIR
CORPORATION, PROVIDING PENALTIES THEREOF, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title — This Act shall be known as the “Wire
Organization Act of 2019.”

SECTION 2. Scope — Within a period of five (5) years from the effectivity
of this Act, all franchise grantees engaged in the business of providing telephone,
cable, internet service and power supply to the public, and all other industries that
use wires and cables in the operation of their business within the Philippines are
hereby required to relocate all its wires and cables underground, or to use colored
wires and cables clearly identifying their companies. Should colored wires and cables
be unavailable, visible colored tags may also be attached to existing wires: Provided,
however, that those who shall commence the operation of the business referred to
herein, subsequent to the effectivity of this Act shall comply with the provision of
this Act as soon as the operation of the business is started.

The franchise grantees shall use wires and cables that are safe, modern,
and of highest standards. All wires and cables shall be carefully and
systematically connected, fastened, and insulated to assure physical safety to
the public. Should colored tags be used, each must be securely attached to the


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The franchise grantees shall use wires and cables that are safe, modern, and
of highest standards. All wires and cables shall be carefully and systematically
connected, fastened, and insulated to assure physical safety to the public. Should
colored tags be used, each must be securely attached to the companies’ existing
wires and cables and must be placed not more than one (1) meter apart for easy

visibility and identification.

SECTION 3. Disconnection of Unused Wires - It shall be presumed that all
cables and wires that have not been color coded within three (3) months from the
end of the five-year period provided in the immediately preceding section are
unusable and out of service. In such case, the relevant government departments

shall endeavor to dismantle and remove said inoperative wires.

SECTION 4. Penalties - Any franchise grantee found in violation of the
provision of this Act shall be punished with a fine of not less than Fifty Thousand
(P50,000.00) Pesos for each day of non-compliance commencing on:

a. The first day immediately after the period of five years fixed in
Section 2 of this Act in the case of a franchise grantee whose
business is operational prior to the effectivity of this Act; and

b. From the date the violation is committed, up to and including the
date of the full compliance with the provisions of this Act in the
case of franchise grantees whose operations shall start

subsequent to the effectivity of this Act.

SECTION 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations ~ Within ninety (90) days from
the passage of this Act, the Department of Public Works and Highways, in
cooperation with relevant government agencies and other stakeholders shall
promulgate the rules and regulations necessary for the full implementation of this
Act.


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SECTION 5. Repealing Clause - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and
regulations, other issuances or parts thereof incompatible with this Act are hereby

repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.

SECTION 6. Separability Clause - The invalidity, unconstitutionality or
unenforceability of any provision of this Act shall in no way affect the validity or
enforceability of any other provisions hereof.

SECTION 7. Effectivity - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
complete publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general

circulation, whichever comes earlier.

Approved.