Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _____ 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Introduced by Representative Geraldine B. Roman 
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EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Given that the issue of climate change causes powerful and destructive tropical storms, heavy rains, 
floods, and landslides, it has been predicted that the nation will suffer the worst effects as long as the 
issue is not resolved. The Philippines, which is ranked 115th out of 182 nations in the most recent 
Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative report, is one of the nations most at risk from the effects of 
climate change. 
It is emphasized that utility services are fundamental and essential public goods that will assist 
affected people and households in gaining their lives back to normal and in seeking new employment 
and earnings. 
Utility services such as electric power, water, telecommunications, and Internet services are 
momentarily interrupted as the nation suffers the negative effects of natural catastrophes. These 
catastrophes cause damage to cables, pipelines, towers, and wires, which causes disconnection of 
essential public services 
For people making minimum wage and blue-collar workers in particular, these disruptions may 
temporarily impair their ability to meet their monthly and daily obligations, which may result in 
delays. Some people may not be able to timely meet their obligations for utilities, medical expenses, 
rental payments, etc. while a disaster or emergency is occurring. The government must make sure that 
the underprivileged, defenseless, and disadvantaged segments of our society are given sufficient 
protection and assistance during these trying times. 
The public interest necessitates that all Filipinos receive utility services that are of a high standard, 
reliable, secure, and affordable, as well as transparent and reasonable costs in an environment of open 
and inclusive competition. In order to prioritize their needs for food, clothing, and a place to live, the 
State must provide relief to the victims of natural disasters and other emergencies. Because of their 
limited budgets, paying for utility services will be an encumbrance for them in the short term. 
The bill aims to put in place a moratorium on payments for basic utility services during and post 
disaster and other emergencies. 
Immediate approval of this measure is earnestly sought. 
GERALDINE B. ROMAN 
          Representative 
        1st District, Bataan 
February 15, 2023
11:50 am
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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _____ 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Introduced by Representative Geraldine B. Roman 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
AN ACT  
PROVIDING FOR AN EXEMPTION ON PAYMENTS FOR BASIC UTILITY SERVICES 
DURING DISASTERS AND OTHER EMERGENCIES AND GRANTING THE RIGHT 
TO AVAIL A ONE-YEAR LIFELINE FOR ALL UNEMPLOYED AND INDIVIDUALS 
WHO LOST THEIR SOURCE OF INCOME DUE TO DISASTERS AND EMERGENCIES 
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 “Kaluwagan sa Kalamidad (K2) 
Act.” 
SEC 2. Declaration of Policy. It is hereby declared the policy of the State to ensure the 
quality, reliability, availability and affordability of basic utility services in times of disasters and other 
emergencies. 
SEC 3. Definition of Terms. As used in this Act, the following terms shall mean: 
(a)
Basic Utility Services are utility services such as the: electric power services, internet
services, telecommunications services, and water utility services. 
(b)
Disasters and Other Emergencies shall be defined in accordance with Section 3 (h)
and (r) of Republic Act No. 10121, otherwise known as “Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and 
Management Act of 2010.” 
(c)
Electrical Power Services are services related to electrical distribution provided by a
power distribution company or an electric cooperative. 
(d)
Internet Services are services related to Internet connectivity provided by Internet
Service Providers (ISPs). 
(e)
Residential Consumers are bona fide consumers within the affected areas of a disaster
who requires basic utility services. 
(f)
Telecommunications Services are services related to mobile and landline
telecommunications provided by a telecommunication company. 
(g)
Water Utility Services are services related to the distribution of water for domestic
use provided by water concessionaires and local water districts. 
SEC 4. Coverage. This Act shall cover the following basic utility services as defined under 
Section 3 hereof, Electrical Power Services; Water Utility Services; Telecommunication Services (i.e., 
Mobile Postpaid and Landline Telephone); and Internet Services. 
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SEC 5. Eligibility. All residential consumers in the municipality, city, province, region or 
disaster-affected areas, as duly defined in the declaration of state of calamity, shall be eligible to the 
provisions of this Act.  
 
SEC 6. Declaration of State of Calamity. The declaration of a State of Calamity shall comply 
with Section 16 of Republic Act 10121, also known as the "Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and 
Management Act of 2010:" Provided, That the declaration shall state the moratorium on utility service 
payments throughout the affected areas in accordance with this Act. 
 
SEC 7. Exemption on Utility Services Payments. For the duration of the State of Calamity 
declared by the President, and for sixty (60) days after the termination of said State of Calamity, or 
until such time that the basic utility services are restored, there shall be a waiver in the enforcement of 
payment of all fees, charges, and costs for the basic utility services as mentioned in Section 4 of this 
Act. Furthermore, fees, charges, and costs for basic utility services shall not be subject to penalties or 
interest assessments during the period of emergencies and calamities. 
 
SEC 8. Right to Avail One-year Lifeline. A person who is unemployed or has lost their source 
of income shall be exempt from paying any fees, costs, charges and interests for the basic utility 
services mentioned in Section 4 of this Act for a period of twelve (12) months, which is equal to one 
(1) year: Provided, That power distribution companies, electric cooperatives, water concessionaires, 
and local water districts shall grant a one-year lifeline to all residential customers who consume 100 
kWh or less per month and/or 10 cubic meters of water per month until they find stable employment 
and a source of income: Provided  further, fees, charges, and costs for basic utility services shall not 
be subject to penalties or interest assessments in the period provided hereof. 
 
SEC 9. Penalty.  Basic Utility Service providers, franchise holders and concessionaires found 
in violation of this law shall be subject to a fine of not more than Five Million Pesos (P5,000,000.00) 
per infraction. 
 
SEC 10. Implementing Rules and Regulations. Within sixty (60) days after the effectivity of 
this Act, the following government agencies shall issue necessary implementing rules and regulation 
(IRR): 
(a) 
Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) and Local Water Utilities 
Administration for the IRR of Water Utility Services; 
(b) 
National 
Telecommunications 
Commission 
(NTC) 
for 
the 
IRR 
of 
Telecommunications and Internet Services; and  
(c) 
Energy 
Regulatory 
Commission 
(ERC) 
and 
the 
National 
Electrification 
Administration (NEA) for the Electrical Power Services. 
 
SEC 11. Separability Clause.  If any provision of this Act or the application thereof is declared 
unconstitutional or invalid for any reason, the same shall not affect the validity of the other 
provisions. 
 
SEC 12. Repealing Clause. All laws, parts of laws, decrees, orders, letters of instructions and 
ordinances, or regulations in conflict with the provisions hereof, are hereby repealed or modified 
accordingly. 
 
SEC 13. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following its publication 
in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
 
Approved,