Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

3281

House Bill No.

Introduced by Representatives
ROLANDO M. VALERIANO
and JOEL R. CHUA

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Dangling, sagging and non-operational wires or cables of public utility
companies such as telecommunications, cable and internet service providers add
weight to the already heavy load on electrical posts and pose danger to the public.
These so-called ‘spaghetti’ wires are also eyesores and nuisances. Moreover,
these wires and cables, considered as ‘foreign attachments’ to poles of electricity
distributors, are one of the most common causes of pole troubles, which often
result to power and service interruptions and could trigger tragic accidents.

Electricity, telephone, cable and other similar public utility providers must
be reminded of their obligation as responsible administrators of their businesses
to guarantee the overall safety of the public. Likewise, accountable public
officials and servants, particularly local government officials, must address and
provide appropriate solutions to the long-overdue issue of dangling and sagging
wires in their respective areas of responsibility, by ensuring their proper
installation, or removal of non-operational cables that crisscross streets or are left
hanging and exposed along electric posts.

Focusing on the problem, the Metro Manila Council (MMC) has approved
resolutions calling for the regulation and monitoring of utility lines as well as the
removal of dangling and ‘spaghetti’ cables in all streets in the National Capital
Region (NCR), and urging local government units (LGUs) in NCR to pass an
ordinance for the control and maintenance of these utility lines in their respective
territorial jurisdictions.

The National Government should do no less.


This bill seeks to require all public utility providers and similar entities to
bundle up its sagging and dangling aerial utility wires, remove all non-operational
or unused wires and cables, and whenever practicable or necessary, to relocate
and install all its wires and cables underground, under pain of penalties for non-
compliance.

Furthermore, the proposed measure mandates the use of wires and cables
that are safe, durable and of highest quality which shall be carefully and
systematically connected, fastened, secured and insulated following installation
guidelines and safety standards to be determined by concerned government
agencies to assure the physical safety of the public.

Finally, the bill directs all public utility companies and similar entities, as
well as local government units (LGUs), to conduct periodic inspection of wires
and cable installations in their respective areas of operation or jurisdiction to
ensure strict compliance with the provisions of the Act and other relevant laws.

The enjoyment of the amenities of modern living, such as the benefits of
electricity and access to telecommunication and internet services must never
compromise public safety and environmental imperatives.

For the following reasons, the immediate consideration and approval of
this bill is earnestly urged.

LOD) we
Representative

Manila, 2" District

JOEL. CHUA
Represyntative
Manila, 3 District



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No._3281

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVES
ROLANDO M. VALERIANO
and JOEL R. CHUA

AN ACT MANDATING ALL POWER, TELECOMMUNICATION,
CABLE AND INTERNET PROVIDERS TO MEND DANGLING WIRES
AND CLEAR NON-OPERATIONAL OVERHEAD WIRES AND
CABLES AND PRESCRIBIJG PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS
THEREOF, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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 ‘Anti-Dangling
Wires Act’.

Section 2. Coverage — All companies, service providers, and other similar
entities engaged in the business of providing telephone, cable, internet service
and power supply to the public, and all other industries that use wires and cables
in the operation of their business in the Philippines, shall be covered by the
provisions of this Act.

Section 3. Responsibilities of Public Utility Providers — All public utility

providers and similar entities covered by this Act are hereby required to:


a) Bundle up its sagging and dangling aerial utility wires;
b) Remove all non-operational or unused wires and cables; and
c) Whenever practicable or necessary, relocate and install all its wires and
cables underground.

Section 4. Safety Standards — Public utility companies and similar entities
covered by this Act shall use wires and cables that are safe, durable and of highest
quality which shall be carefully and systematically connected, fastened, secured
and insulated to assure the physical safety of the public.

Installation guidelines and safety standards shall be determined by the
Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the National Grid
Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), the Department of Information and
Communications Technology (DICT), and other concerned government
agencies.

Section 5. Periodic Inspections — All public utility companies and similar
entities covered by this Act and local government units (LGUs) shall conduct
periodic inspection of the installations in their respective areas of operation or
jurisdiction to ensure strict compliance with the provisions of this Act and other
relevant laws.

Section 6. Penalties —

a) Any public utility company and similar entities covered by this Act which
fails to comply with the requirements of Section 3 this Act shall pay a fine

of not less than One Hundred Thousand Pesos (P 100,000.00) for each day


of non-compliance computed from the time of filing of complaint to the

proper authority.

b) Any public utility company and similar entities covered by this Act which
fails to comply with the requirements of Section 4 and 5 of this Act shall
pay a fine of not less than Three Hundred Thousand Pesos (P 300,000.00).

The Head of Agency and other concerned officials of the LGU
which fails to comply with the requirement of Section 5 of this Act shalt
be liable for administrative sanctions.

c) Any public utility company and similar entities covered by this Act whose
installation or relocation of its wires or cables caused any damage to
property or injury to persons shall shoulder the full costs of the damage
and/or medical expenses incurred as a result thereof, and pay a fine of not
less than double the amount of such costs.

4) The LGU concerned may suspend or revoke the permits of any public
utility company and similar entities covered by this Act for any violation
of this Act.

Section 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations — The National
Telecommunications Commission (NTC), the DICT, the NGCP, the DPWH, and
the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), in consultation with
other concerned agencies and relevant stakeholders, shall, within one hundred
twenty (120) days promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the

implementation of this Act.


Section 8. Repealing Clause ~ All laws, decrees, executive orders,
presidential issuances and other administrative rules and regulations or parts
thereof which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed, amended, or
modified accordingly.

Section 9. Separability Clause, ~ If any provision of this Act is declared
unconstitutional or otherwise invalid, the validity of the other provisions shall not
be affected thereby.

Section 10. Effectivity - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after
its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

APPROVED.