Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No,__925

Introduced by Representative GERALDINE 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 installation 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 their
respective utility line installation and for the government 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.

Mo.
GERALDINE B. ROMAN


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No.__°25

Introduced by Representative GERALDINE B. ROMAN

AN ACT
MANDATING 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

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

SECTION 1. 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, 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. 3. 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 (100,000.00) 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 4. 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 5. 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 6. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official
Gazette or in a national newspaper of general circulation,

Approved,