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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

2368

House Bill No.

Introduced by
Honorable Nelson S. Legacion
Representative, 3rd District, Camarines Sur

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Camarines Sur I Electric Cooperative, Inc. (CASURECO 1), boasts of being
the first electric cooperative in the province of Camarines Sur. It was incorporated and
registered on November 27, 1972 under the supervisory authority of the National
Electrification Administration (NEA). It was able to obtain Franchise Certificate No. 221
on 19 December 1978, and is due to expire on 18 December 2028. Through its franchise,
CASURECO I is mandated to provide and maintain electrification service to the
Municipalities of Libmanan, Cabusao, Sipocot, Lupi, Ragay, Pamplona, San Fernando,
Gainza, Pasacao, and Camaligan, all in the Province of Camarines Sur.

As of date, the power cooperative has energized 100% of the barangays within its
franchise area. It has been consistently categorized as a Triple A ("AAA") electric
cooperative for ten (10) years since 2015 - the highest categorization of an electric
cooperative granted by the National Electrification Administration.

CASURECO I is undoubtedly a major player in fueling the trade, commerce and
the socio-economic development of the entire coverage area of ten (10) municipalities
and 287 barangays within 144,745 hectares of land dedicated to agriculture, residential
areas, municipal commercial and industrial zones, and a long coastline on both sides of
the Camarines Sur peninsula. The renewal of its franchise, through the enactment of
this Bill, will ensure the continuous delivery of electricity within the entire coverage

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area which has been carried out with highest dedication and outstanding performance
in terms of efficient, sustainable and affordable rural electrification.

In view of the foregoing, approval of the Bill is earnestly sought.

NELSQY

Representative, 3$hbigericy/ Camarines Sur


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

2368

House Bill No.

Introduced by
Honorable Nelson S. Legacion
Representative, 3“ District, Camarines Sur

AN ACT
EXTENDING THE EXISTING FRANCHISE OF CAMARINES SUR I ELECTRIC
COOPERATIVE, INC. (CASURECO I) TO CONSTRUCT, INSTALL, ESTABLISH,
OPERATE, OWN, MANAGE, AND MAINTAIN A DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM FOR
THE CONVEYANCE OF ELECTRIC POWER TO THE END-USERS IN THE
MUNICIPALITIES OF LIBMANAN, CABUSAO, SIPOCOT, RAGAY, LUPI,
PAMPLONA, PASACAO, SAN FERNANDO, GAINZA, AND CAMALIGAN, ALL
IN THE PROVINCE OF CAMARINES SUR

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

Section 1. Nature and Scope of Franchise. - Subject to the provisions of the
Constitution and applicable laws, rules and regulations, there is hereby granted to the
CAMARINES SUR 1 ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, INC. (CASURECO 1), hereunder
referred to as the Grantee, its successors or assigns, a franchise to construct, install,
establish, operate, own, manage and maintain in the public interest and for commercial
purposes, a distribution system for the conveyance of electric power to the end-users in
the Municipalities of Libmanan, Cabusao, Sipocot, Ragay, Lupi, Pamplona, Pasacao,
San Fernando, Gainza, and Camaligan, all situated in the Province of Camarines Sur.

‘As used in this Act, distribution system refers to the system of wires and
associated facilities including sub-transmission lines belonging to a franchised


distribution utility extending between the delivery point on the national transmission
system or generating facility and the metering point or facility of the end-users.

Section 2. Manner of Operation of Facilities. — All electric distribution facilities,
lines, and systems for electric services installed, owned, operated, managed, or
maintained by the Grantee, its successors or assigns, shall be operated or maintained at
all times in superior manner, and it shall be the duty of the Grantee, its successors or
assignees, whenever required to do so by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), or
its legal successor, or the Department of Energy, or its legal successor, or the National
Electrification Administration (NEA), or its legal successor, or any other government
agency concerned to modify, improve and change such facilities or systems in such
manner and to such extent as the progress in science or technology and improvements
or innovations in the electric power services may render reasonable and proper.

Whenever practicable, and for purposes of maintaining order, safety and
aesthetics along highways, roads, streets, alleys, or right-of-way, the Grantee may allow
the use of these spaces in its poles, facilities, or right-of-way by interested parties upon
reasonable compensation to the Grantee, considering the costs incurred to
accommodate and administer the use of the Grantee's facilities by such parties. The
ERC shall decide in case of dispute or disagreement between the parties.

Section 3. Authority of the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) and the
National Electrification Administration (NEA). ~ The Grantee shall secure from the
ERC or the NEA or any government agency having jurisdiction over their operations,
the Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity and any other license, permit or
authority indispensable for the construction and operation of the electric power
distribution system.

Section 4, Ingress and Egress. - For the purpose of erecting and maintaining the
poles or other supports for said facilities, wires or other conductors for the purpose of
laying and maintaining said facilities, wires, cables, or other conductors, it shall be
lawful for the Grantee, its successors, or assignees, with the prior approval of the
Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) or the local government unit
(LGU) concerned, as may be appropriate, to make excavations or lay conduits in any of
the public places, highways, roads, street, lanes, alleys, avenues, sidewalks, or bridges
of said province, cities or municipalities: Provided, however, That a public place,
highway, road, street, lane, alley, avenue, sidewalk or bridge disturbed, altered, or
changed by reason of erection of poles or other supports or the underground laying of
wires, other conductors or conduits, shall be repaired or replaced in efficient manner
the Grantee, its successors or assignees, in accordance with the standards set by the


DPWH or the LGU concerned. Should the Grantee, its successors or assignees, after the
ten (10)-day notice from the grant authority fail, refuse, or neglect to repair or replace
any part of the public place, highway, road, street, lane, alley, avenue, sidewalk, or
bridge altered, changed, or disturbed by the said Grantee, its successors or assignees,
then the DPWH or the LGU concerned shall have the right to have the same repaired or
replaced in good order and condition and charge the Grantee, its successors or
assignees, double the amount of the cost and expenses for such repair or replacement.

Section 5. Responsibility to the Public. ~The Grantee shall supply electricity to
its captive market in the least costly manner. In the interest of the public good and as
far as feasible and whenever required by the ERC, the Grantee shall modify, improve,
or change its facilities, poles, lines, systems, and equipment for the purpose of
providing efficient and reliable service and reduced electricity costs. The Grantee shall
charge reasonable and just power rates for its services to all types of consumers within
its franchised areas in order that businesses and industries shall be able to compete.

The Grantee shall have the obligation to provide open and non-discriminatory
access to its distribution system and services for any end-user within its franchise area
consistent with Republic Act No. 9136, otherwise known as the “Electric Power
Industry Reform Act of 2001.” The Grantee shall not engage in any activity that will
constitute an abuse of market power such as unfair trade practices, monopolistic
schemes, and other activities that will hinder competitiveness of businesses and
industries.

Section 6. Rates for Services. - The retail rates and charges for the distribution of
electric power by the Grantee to its end-users shall be regulated by and subject to the
approval of the ERC or its legal successor.

The Grantee shall identify and segregate in its electricity bill to the end-users the
components of the retail rate pursuant to Republic Act 9136, unless otherwise amended.
Such rates charged by the Grantee to the ends-users shall be made public and
transparent. The Grantee shall implement lifeline rate to marginalized end-users as
mandated under Republic Act No. 9136.

Section 7. Protection of Consumer Interests. — The Grantee herein shall establish
a consumer desk that shall handle consumer complaints and ensure adequate
promotion of consumer interests. The Grantee shall act with dispatch on all complaints
brought before it.


Section 8. - Commitment to Provide and Promote the Creation of Employment
Opportunities. - The Grantee shall create employment opportunities and shall allow
on-the-job training in its franchise operation: Provided further, That the Grantee shall
comply with the applicable labor standards and allowance entitlement under existing
labor laws, rules and regulations, and similar issuances.

Section 9. — Right of the Government. - A special right is hereby reserved to the
President of the Republic of the Philippines, in times of war, rebellion, public peril,
calamity, emergency, disaster, or disturbance of peace and order, to temporarily take
over and operate the station or facilities of the Grantee; to temporarily suspend the
operation of any station or facility in the interest of public safety, security, and public
welfare; or to authorize the temporary use and operation thereof by any agency of the
government, upon due compensation to the Grantee, for the use of the stations or
facilities during the period when these shall be so operated.

Section 10, Right of Eminent Domain. - Subject to the limitations and procedures
prescribed by law, the Grantee is authorized to exercise the right of eminent domain
insofar as it may be reasonably necessary for the efficient maintenance and operation of
services. The Grantee is authorized to install and maintain its poles, wires, and other
facilities over and across public property, including streets, highways, forest reserves,
and other similar property of the Government of the Philippines, its branches, or any of
its instrumentalities. The Grantee may acquire such private property as is actually
necessary for the realization of the purposes for which this franchise is granted:
Provided, That proper expropriation proceedings shall have been instituted and just
compensation paid.

Section 11. Term of Franchise. - Unless sooner cancelled, the franchise extension
shall be in effect for a period of twenty-five (25) years from the effectivity of this Act.
‘This franchise shall be deemed ipso facto revoked in the event the Grantee fails to
operate continuously for two (2) years.

Section 12. Acceptance of the Franchise. Acceptance of the Terms of this
franchise shall be in writing to the Congress of the Philippines, through the Committee
on Legislative Franchises of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Public
Services of the Senate within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act. Upon such
acceptance, the grantee shall exercise the privileges granted under this Act. Non-
acceptance shall render the franchise void.

Section 13. Warranty in Favor of National and Local Governments. - The
Grantee shall hold the national, provincial, city and municipal governments of the


Philippines free from all claims, accounts, demands, or actions arising from accidents
causing injury to persons or damage to property during the construction, installation,
operation, and maintenance of the distribution system of the Grantee.

Section 14, Liability for Damages. - The Grantee shall be liable for any injury to
persons and damage to property arising from accidents by reason of any defective
construction under this franchise or of any neglect or omission to keep its poles and
wires in safe condition.

Section 15. Exemption from Income Tax and Minimum Corporate Income Tax
(MCIT) ~The grantee shall be permanently exempt from the payment of income tax and
Minimum Corporate Income Tax or MCIT.

Section 16. Sale, Lease, Transfer, Usufruct or Assignment of Franchise. - The
Grantee shall not sell, lease, transfer, grant the usufruct, or assign this franchise or the
rights and privileges acquired thereunder to any person, firm company, corporation, or
other commercial or legal entity, or merge with any other corporation, or entity, or
transfer the controlling interest of the Grantee, whether as a whole or in part, and
whether simultaneously or contemporaneously, to any such person, firm, company,
corporation or entity without the prior approval of the Congress: Provided, That
Congress shall be informed of any lease, transfer, grant of usufruct, sale, or assignment
of franchise or the rights and privileges acquired thereunder, or of the merger, or sale of
the controlling interest within sixty (60) days after the completion of the said
transaction: Provided further, That any such transfer, sale, or assignment is in accordance
with constitutional limitations: Provided, furthermore, That failure to report to Congress
such change of ownership shall render the franchise ipso facto revoked: Provided finally,
That any person or entity to which this franchise is sold, transferred, or assigned, shall
be subject to the same conditions, terms, restrictions, and limitations of this Act.

Section 17. Reportorial Requirement, - The Grantee shall submit an annual
report to Congress, through the Committee on Legislative Franchises of the House of
Representatives and the Committee of Public Services of the Senate, on its compliance
with the terms and conditions of the franchise and on its operations on or before April
30 of every year during the term of the franchise. The reportorial compliance certificate
issued by Congress shall be required before any application for permit or certificate is
accepted by the ERC.

Section 18. Fine. - The failure of the grantee to submit the requisite annual report
to Congress shall be penalized by a fine in the amount of Five Hundred Pesos (P500.00)
per working day of non-compliance which shall be collected by the ERC. The fine shall


be collected separately from the reportorial penalties imposed by the ERC and shall be
remitted to the Bureau of the Treasury.

Section 19. Equality Clause. - Any advantage, favor, privilege, exemption, or
immunity granted under existing franchises, or which may hereafter be granted, upon
prior review and approval of Congress, shall become part of this franchise and shall be
accorded immediately and unconditionally to the herein Grantee: Provided, however,
That the foregoing shall neither apply to nor affect provisions concerning territory
covered by the franchise, the life span for the franchise or the type of service authorized
by the franchise: Provided, further, That the foregoing shall not apply to the sale, lease,
transfer, grant or usufruct or assignment of legislative franchises with prior
Congressional approval.

Section 20. Applicability of Existing Laws. - The Grantee shall comply with and
be subject to the provisions of Commonwealth Act No. 146, or the “Public Service Act’,
as amended, RA 9136, and RA 10531 or the “National Electrification Administration
Reform Act of 2013.”

Section 21. Existing Powers. - Existing mandates, powers, functions, and
privileges granted to electric cooperatives under existing laws, including Section 10 of
Republic Act No.10531, shall remain valid and effective, unless expressly repealed by
succeeding laws.

Section 22. Repealability and Non-Exclusivity Clause. - This franchise shall be
subject to amendment, alteration, or repeal by Congress when the public interest so
requires and shall not be interpreted as an exclusive grant of the privileges herein
provided for.

Section 23. Separability Clause. - If any of the sections or provisions of this Act
is held invalid, all other provisions not affected thereby shall remain valid.

Section 24. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders,
letters of instruction, administrative rules and regulations or parts thereof, which are
contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, are repealed or modified
accordingly.

Section 25. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.


Approved,