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

Twentieth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No, 3835

Introduced by Representative Carlos Andes Loria

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to develop public utilities infrastructure, particularly
electricity, water and internet connection services, in underserved and
geographically isolated areas.

As an archipelagic country, millions of Filipinos reside in geographically
isolated and disadvantaged areas that lack reliable access to basic services and
essential public utilities such as electricity, water, and internet connection
services. Without having access to reliable public utilities, the quality of life of
the residents and the socio-economic development in such areas are greatly
impeded.

In the island municipality of Rapu-Rapu, Albay for instance, the electricity
supply is extremely limited and often unreliable. Potable water systems are
lacking, with many households still depending on natural springs and rainwater
catchment. Internet and mobile connectivity are intermittent or completely absent
in several barangays. A similar situation is found in the remote upland areas of
Camalig, Albay and Daraga, Albay as well as in the coastal barangays of Manito,
Albay where minimal infrastructure exacerbates isolation and underdevelopment.

Even the more urbanized centers like Legazpi City, Albay and the town
proper of Daraga, Albay are starting to feel the strain. Rapid urbanization in these


areas has outpaced the capacity of existing utilities, resulting in frequent service
interruptions, substandard water supply, and slow internet speeds. Moreover,
natural disasters—such as typhoons, earthquakes, and eruptions of Mayon
Volcano—tepeatedly expose the vulnerability and fragility of the district’s utility
infrastructure.

This stark disparity in access to utilities within the same district is unjust
and remains a clear barrier to inclusive growth. Without reliable and equitable
delivery of electricity, water, and internet services, families are left behind,
businesses cannot thrive, educational outcomes suffer, and public health is
compromised. Every Filipino deserves the dignity of basic services, regardless of
location or income.

Through this proposed measure, access to safe, reliable and affordable
electricity, drinking water and internet connectivity will be addressed. The
Department of Energy, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, as
well as local government units, are tasked to make an inventory of public utilities
infrastructures, conduct feasibility studies and come up with an infrastructure
development plan to ensure that the residents in underserved and geographically
isolated and disadvantaged areas in the country are able to access basic and
essential public utilities services.

The ultimate aim is to ensure that every barangay—whether urban or rural,
coastal or upland, mainland or island—has reliable access to these essential
services that underpin human dignity, socio-economic development, and disaster
resilience.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly
sought.



Darona

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

Twentieth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 3835

Introduced by Representative Carlos Andes Loria

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF PUBLIC UTILITIES
INFRASTRUCTURE IN UNDERSERVED AND GEOGRAPHICALLY
ISOLATED AND DISADVANTAGED AREAS AND APPROPRIATING
FUNDS THEREFOR

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

SECTION 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the “Public
Utilities Infrastructures Act.”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is the policy of the State to uphold the
dignity, general welfare and development of every Filipino by providing access
to efficient, reliable, and affordable public utilities. Towards this end, the State
shall promote inclusive growth and ensure that the infrastructure and facilities,
particularly in underserved and geographically isolated areas, are sufficient for

the delivery of essential electricity, water and internet connection services.


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SEC. 3. Coverage. — This Act applies to all public utilities’ consumers,
whether residential, commercial, or industrial. For purposes of this Act, “public
utilities” refer to electricity, water and internet connection services.

SEC. 4. Right to Access and Services. — The State shall, through the
concemed government agencies, guarantee the right to access and services of
every Filipino to safe, reliable and affordable public utilities by ensuring the
installation and expansion of necessary infrastructures and facilities.

SEC. 5. Standard of Service. — Public utilities providers must provide a
twenty-four-hour a day, seven days a week, uninterrupted supply. The Magna
Carta for Residential Electricity Consumers issued by the Energy Regulatory
Commission is made an integral part of this Act.

The National Water Resources Board and National Telecommunications
Commission shall promulgate the Magna Carta for Water Consumers and Magna
Carta for Internet Consumers respectively, which shall also be an integral part of
this Act.

SEC. 6. Inventory and Prioritization. - The Department of Energy
(DOE), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department
of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and local government
units (LGUs) shall make an inventory or update existing inventory of public
utilities infrastructures and identify the areas in need of installation or expansion
of infrastructure and facilities necessary for the delivery of public utilities

services.


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In determining the areas for installation or expansion, the departments and
LGUs shall prioritize the following:

a. Geographically isolated areas;

b. Areas vulnerable to natural disasters;

c. Areas with frequent and long duration of service disruptions;

d. Areas with pronounced socioeconomic disadvantages; and

e. Areas where the public institutions such as hospitals, schools,

government offices and evacuation centers are located.

SEC. 7. Feasibility Studies. — After identifying the areas in need of
installation or expansion, the DOE, DENR and DICT, in coordination with the
Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), shall conduct feasibility
studies to determine the practicality and viability of the public utilities
infrastructure that needs to be installed or expanded.

SEC. 8. Infrastructure Development Plan. — Using the inventory and
feasibility studies, the DOE, DENR and DICT shall, in coordination with the
respective Regional Development Council (RDCs), formulate the public utilities
infrastructure development plan, including its corresponding budgetary
requirements. The RDCs shall endorse the infrastructure development plan to the
Infrastructure Committee, which shall, in turn, recommend the same to the
Economic and Development Council for its approval and inclusion in the

formulation of the annual government expenditures.


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SEC. 9. Implementation. — In implementing the Infrastructure
Development Plan, the DOE, DENR and DICT may enter into agreement with
the private sectors under the provisions of Republic Act (RA) No. 6957, as
amended by RA 7718, commonly known as the “Build-Operate-and-Tranfer

The installation or expansion of public utilities infrastructure must be
implemented in the areas of priority as provided in Section 6 of this Act. The
The DOE, DENR and DICT shall coordinate with local government units
concerned as to the location where the public utilities infrastructure may be
installed.

The local government units concerned shall facilitate the issuance of all the
necessary permits and licenses for the installation or expansion within their
respective jurisdictions.

SEC. 10. Appropriations. — The amount necessary for the initial
implementation of this Act shall be charged against the current budget of the
concerned departments. Thereafter, the amount necessary for the continued
implementation of this Act shall be included in the respective budget of the
implementing agencies as may be identified by DOE, DENR and DICT in the
General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 11. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within ninety (90)
days from the effectivity of this Act, the Secretaries of Energy, Environment and

Natural Resources, and Information and Communications Technology shall, in


coordination with the Secretaries of the Interior and Local Government and
Public Works and Highways, promulgate the rules and regulations necessary for
the effective implementation of this Act.

SEC. 12. Separability Clause. — If any part or provision of this Act is
declared unconstitutional or invalid, the remaining part or provision not affected
shall remain in full force and effect.

SEC. 13. Repealing Clause. — All laws, rules, regulations, proclamations,
executive orders or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are
repealed, amended, or revised accordingly.

SEC. 14. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,