2-4.NOV 2014
Republic of the Philippines in

House Or RepRESENTATIVES
Quezon , Metro Manila ‘

Sixteenth Congress
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 5214

Introduced by Honorable Herminia B. Roman

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to mandate all electric, cable and telecommunications
companies to conduct periodic inspections of their respective utility line
installations to ensure strict compliance with the standards and regulations
provided under the Philippine Electrical Code.

The Philippine Electrical Code has been approved and adopted by the Board
of Electrical Engineering of the Professional Regulation Commission by virtue of
its mandate under Republic Act No. 7920, also known as the “New Electrical
Engineering Law." The Philippine Electrical Code serves as the basis in the
instaliation of electrical system designs in the country.

Electric, cable and telecommunications companies already existing in the
country such as MERALCO, PLDT, Bayantel, Skycable, observe and use the
provisions of the Philippine Electrical Code in the installation of their utility lines
For instance, overhead power lines have strict guidelines for height clearances over
streets, sidewalks, alleys, roads and driveways for the safety of the public

However, through the passage of time, in the absence of regular inspection and

monitoring, the sagging of these wires and cables may happen which endangers the

lives of people.

It is for this reason that this measure is proposed to mandate all electric,
cable and telecommunications companies to conduct periodic inspections of thei
respective utility line installation and for the goverment agencies exercising
jurisdiction over these installations to monitor the height clearance requirements
for the safety of the public.

In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly recommended.

Lanvecamecas Mis lnm?

ERMINIA B. ROMAN

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Republic of the Philippines
House Or Representatives
Quezon City, Metro Manila

Sixteenth Congr
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO._ 5214

Introduced by Honorable Herminia B. Roman

piciaieenhoy ll ALL

iy PECTIONS OF THEIR RESPECTIVE UTILITY LINE
INSTALLATIONS TO ENSURE STRICT COMPLIANCE WITH THE
STANDARDS AND REGULATIONS PROVIDED UNDER THE
PHILIPPINE ELECTRICAL CODE

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

Congress

SECTION lL. All electric, cable and telecommunications companies
shall conduct periodic inspections of their respective utility line installations to
ensure strict compliance with the standards and regulations provided under the
Philippine Electrical Code, as approved and adopted by the Board of Electrical
Engineering of the Professional Regulation Commission pursuant to the
mandate vested upon the Board under Republic Act No. 7920, also known as
the “New Electrical Engineering Law.”

SEC. 2. Any person may file a complaint against the electric, cable and
telecommunications company which violates the standards and regulations
provided under the Philippine Electrical Code before the court of competent

jurisdiction. An administrative complaint under the Local Government Code,

Bill Drafting Service


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may likewise be filed by any person against the provincial, city or municipal
engineer who fails to monitor the compliance of electric, cable and
telecommunications companies with the standards and regulations provided
under the Philippine Electrical Code.

SEC. 2. The electric, cable or telecommunications company which fails
to conform with the standards of the Philippine Electrical Code shall be
punished with a fine of not less than Ten thousand pesos (P10,000.00) but not
more than Fifty thousand pesos (P50,000.00) for the first offense; a fine of not
less than Fifty thousand pesos (P50,000.00) but not more than One hundred
thousand pesos (P100,000.00) for the second offense; and a fine of not less than
One hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00) but not more than Two hundred
thousand pesos (P200,000.00) for the third and subsequent offenses.

SEC 3. The Department of Public Works and Highways, in coordination
and consultation with the Department of Transportation and Communications,
and the Board of Electrical Engineering, shall issue the necessary rules and
regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.

SEC 4. All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations, or parts
thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed,
amended or modified accordingly.

SEC 5. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in
the Official Gazette or in a national newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,