Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
Nineteenth Congress 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO.________ 
_________________________________________________________________ 
Introduced by Honorable Mark O. Go 
_________________________________________________________________ 
   EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Dangling and low-lying electric and cable wires, and derelict posts and poles are 
a common sight and eyesore in most of our urban centers and communities.  There have 
been reports of accidents, many of those are fatal, caused by these dangling and low-
lying electric and cable wires. 
On September 2014, a UST medical student, a hotel employee and a FEU student 
were electrocuted by live dangling wire during heavy floods in Sampaloc, Manila.  The 
first two victims died before reaching the hospital while the third victim was in critical 
condition. 
On July 2015, a 13-year old boy in Barangay Tinago, Cebu City was killed when 
a PLDT’s concrete post collapse upon him caused by the common problem of dangling 
“spaghetti” wires and low-lying cables.  The overhead cables was dragged by a passing 
truck that toppled the pole. 
In an effort to prevent accidents, on January 2017, a construction worker was 
electrocuted and died when he tried to cover an exposed part of a dangling live wire while 
assembling metal scaffolding in their construction site in Batac City.  According to 
witnesses, this is the third electrocution incident caused by the same exposed live wire in 
the said site. 
The numerous cases of similar incidents and the public outcry from residents and 
motorists in urban centers must lead us to intervene in fixing this problem which has 
become prevalent across the country. Fast urbanization, unregulated rise in the population 
density of many metropolitan area, and neglect by many public utilities have long turned 
the unruly state of cable and electric wires from merely being an eyesore to being a public 
safety concern of national significance.  
Pubic utilities are imbued with such public interest that they must be held 
accountable for the effects of every area of their operation, not only with regard the 
quality of service they provide, but also the manner by which they deliver such services. 
July 1, 2022 
7:03 pm
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The authority to operate a public utility is not an inherent right but only emanates 
from the discretion of Congress and other specialized agencies that are empowered to 
grant franchises and authorities. Such discretion is based on the determination that the 
operation of the public utility would be beneficial to the public and has met the standards 
set forth by the government. It is within our power, and our call of duty, to ensure that 
above all, the interests of the public is preserved and promoted in the operation of public 
utilities.  
This bill has been approved by the House of Representatives in the 18th Congress and 
was transmitted to the Senate for its consideration and approval.  However, due to lack of 
material time, this proposed measure was not enacted into law. 
In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 
MARK O. GO 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
Nineteenth Congress 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO._________ 
_________________________________________________________________ 
Introduced by Honorable Mark O. Go 
_________________________________________________________________ 
AN ACT 
MANDATING THE PROPER INSTALLATION AND MAINTENANCE OF 
OVERHEAD ELECTRIC DISTRIBUTION, COMMUNICATION LINES, AND 
STRUCTURES 
BY 
ALL 
ELECTRIC 
DISTRIBUTION, 
CABLE, 
AND 
TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMPANIES FOR PURPOSES OF PUBLIC 
SAFETY AND GOOD HOUSEKEEPING  
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 “Proper Installation 
and Maintenance of Overhead Electric Distribution and Communication Lines Act”.  
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. – It is hereby declared the policy of the State to: 
a)
Ensure the safety and protection of life and property;
b)
Uphold the general welfare; and
c)
Promote good housekeeping and implement sound maintenance of utility poles,
lines, cables, equipment and accessories in the conduct and delivery of services
by electric distribution, cable, and telecommunications companies to their clients.
SEC. 3. Responsibility of Electric Distribution, Cable, and Telecommunications
Companies. – It shall be the responsibility of electric distribution, cable, and 
telecommunications companies to safeguard life and property in the conduct and delivery 
of services to their clients.  
All electric distribution, cable and telecommunications companies shall ensure 
public safety and prepare contingencies for calamities or any unforeseen event that may 
cause harm, expose a person to peril and cause damage to property, by undertaking 
necessary precautionary measures to prevent the same. Electric distribution, cable, and 
telecommunications companies shall implement sound maintenance programs in all their 
service areas. Toward this end, all electric distribution, cable, and telecommunications 
companies shall perform the following: 
(a) Conduct periodic inspection of overhead electric distribution and communication
lines, in compliance with the standard clearance under the Philippine Electrical Code Part 
2 (PEC 2) and as provided for in this Act or its implementing rules and regulations; 
(b) Fix and bundle-up dangling overhead secondary and communication lines;
993


(c) Remove unused overhead electric distribution and communication lines; 
(d) Replace all unused, misplaced, damaged and rotten utility poles; and 
(e) Strictly adhere to and ensure 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, otherwise known as the 
''New Electrical Engineering Law''.  
 
SEC. 4. Joint Use of Structures. – The joint use of structures shall be considered 
for circuits along highways, roads, streets, and alleys. The choice between joint use of 
structures and separate lines shall be determined through collaborative consideration of 
all the factors involved, including the character of circuits, the total number and weight 
of conductors, tree conditions, number and location of branches and service drops, 
structure conflicts, and availability of right-of-way and other factors as may be provided 
in the rules and regulations to be promulgated to implement. Where such joint use is 
mutually agreed upon, it shall be subject to the appropriate grade of construction specified 
in Article 3.5 of PEC 2.   
 
SEC. 5. Responsibility of the Local Government Units (LGUs). – All cities and 
municipalities shall, through their respective city or municipal engineers or the 
Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in the case of national roads, ensure 
that every utility company, within their territorial jurisdiction, comply with the provisions 
of Section 3 of this Act. The Sangguniang Panlungsod or Sangguniang Bayan concerned 
shall, pursuant to Republic Act No. 7160, as amended, otherwise known as the Local 
Government Code, issue an ordinance governing the overhead installation of electric 
distribution lines, cables and utility poles, in accordance with the Electrical Code, 
National Building Code and RA No. 11361 or the Anti-Obstruction of Power Lines Act 
and in consultation with the agencies concerned. 
 
The city or municipal engineer, or the authorized representative of such city or 
municipality shall, in addition to the authority to withhold the grant or renewal of licenses 
or business permits, file a complaint against the electric distribution, cable, or 
telecommunications company, which fails to conduct periodic inspection of its respective 
utility line installations or fix or bundle up its utility lines or remove all old and unused 
lines in violation of the regulations and standards provided for under the PEC 2 before 
the court of competent jurisdiction. Any person may file an administrative complaint 
against the city or municipal engineer who fails to monitor the compliance of electric 
distribution, cable, and telecommunications companies with the standards and regulations 
provided under the PEC 2.  
 
Once it has been notified of a possible violation, the city or municipality, or the 
DPWH in the case of national roads, shall send notice to the erring company to allow it 
to rectify its error within a reasonable time or to explain its reasons for failure to comply 
with the standards set forth in Republic Act No. 7920 and its implementing rules and 
regulations. Upon failure to rectify its error or continuous non-compliance without 
justifiable cause, the city or municipal engineer, or the DPWH in the case of national 
roads, may conduct an investigation, upon due notice to the erring company. A finding of 
fault by the authorized person conducting the investigation may result in the withholding 
of the renewal of the corresponding business licenses or permits for erring electric 
distribution, cable and telecommunications companies.  
 
The public utilities shall notify the LGU concerned on violations on the issuance 
of building permits for non-compliance with the rules and the standards on setbacks and 


clearances under the Philippine Electrical Code, the National Building Code, and the 
“Anti-Obstruction of Power Lines Act” or Republic Act No. 11361, as provided in this 
Act.  
 
SEC. 6. Issuance of a Certificate of Public Safety Compliance (CPSC). – In 
addition to the Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) issued by the 
Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), which stipulates that the operation of the 
business of an electric distribution, cable, or telecommunication company will promote 
public interest in a proper and suitable manner, a Certificate of Public Safety Compliance 
(CPSC) shall also be issued by the LGU, in accordance with the Philippine Electrical 
Code, to an electric distribution, cable, or telecommunication company to ensure the 
public safety upon its operation in a particular area. Application for a CPSC shall be acted 
upon promptly pursuant to Section 11 of Republic Act No. 11032, otherwise known as 
the “Ease of Doing Business  and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018”, 
on the streamlined procedures for the issuance of local business licenses, clearances, 
permits, certifications or authorizations: Provided, That the failure of an LGUs to act upon 
an application for a CPSC duly filed with complete supporting documents within the 
prescribed timeframe shall be deemed approval of such application.  The CPSC shall be 
valid for a period of five (5) years. A valid and existing CPSC shall be a pre-requisite for 
the renewal of operations of an electric distribution, cable, or telecommunication 
company. 
 
No electric distribution, cable, or telecommunication company shall be allowed 
to operate in a particular area without a valid CPSC upon inspection by the city or 
municipal engineer.  
 
SEC. 7. Installation of Overhead Electric Distribution Lines, Cables and Utility 
Poles and Standard Requirements. – All installation of overhead electric distribution 
lines, cables, and utility poles shall be inspected by the city or municipal engineer, or the 
DPWH, whichever is applicable. Installation of overhead electric distribution lines, 
cables and utility poles shall conform to the PEC 2, Philippine Distribution Code (PDC), 
Distribution Services and Open Access Rules (DSOAR), National Building Code (NBC), 
and other applicable existing local and international standards, of which compliance shall 
be ensured by the Inter-Agency Committee under Section 9 of this Act. The specific 
location shall be inspected by the engineering officials prior to, during and after the 
installation.  
 
In cases where the ideal location of a pole installation is unavailable, the 
concerned city or municipal government, or the DPWH, shall assist the pole owner in 
identifying and securing the right-of-way (ROW) for alternative pole locations, at no cost 
to the government. 
 
Pending the promulgation of standards by the Inter-Agency Committee under 
Section 9 of this Act, or a uniform set of requirements by the barangay, city, or municipal 
government unit on the overhead installation and maintenance of electric distribution 
lines, cables, utility poles, equipment and accessories, the city or municipal government 
shall assist the owner of a facility on issues concerning the same.  
 
SEC. 8. Creation of a Monitoring and Service Team. – A Monitoring and Service 
Team, led by the city or municipal engineer and composed of representatives from the 
pole owners and the electric distribution, cable, and telecommunications companies, 
shall, in coordination with the barangay, city, or municipal-engineer or the DPWH, 
whichever is applicable, be created to perform the immediate and necessary clean-up 


operation and maintenance of overhead electric distribution lines, cables, utility poles, 
equipment and accessories in compliance with the provisions of this Act. The clean-up 
operation shall commence within six (6) months from the promulgation of the 
Implementing Rules and Regulations (lRR) pursuant to Section 13 of this Act.  
 
SEC. 9. Role of the Monitoring and Service Team. – The Monitoring and Service 
Teams of electric distribution, cable, and telecommunications companies shall conduct a 
semi-annual inspection to check compliance to Section 3 of this Act and maintenance of 
their electric distribution lines, cables, utility poles, equipment and accessories installed 
in a particular area for the efficient delivery of their services. Maintenance shall include 
proper bundling, casing and replacement of damaged electric distribution lines and 
cables, and repair and replacement of utility poles, equipment and accessories, and 
retirement of unused electric distribution lines, cables and utility poles.  
 
Electric distribution, cable, and telecommunications companies shall be given a 
reasonable period of time to relocate and realign displaced lines, cables, utility poles, 
equipment and accessories as a result of a public infrastructure work. The implementing 
government agency of a construction project shall inform and coordinate with the electric 
distribution, cable, or telecommunication company concerned for the relocation of its 
lines, cables, utility poles, equipment and accessories. The cost of relocating such lines, 
cables, utility poles, equipment and accessories shall be shouldered by the implementing 
agency of the construction project. The implementing government agency shall provide 
its plans, specifications and provide utility corridors for the adequate evaluation of the 
design, construction, operation, and maintenance of facilities. All costs that shall be 
incurred in the necessary relocation of facilities of the public utilities concerned as a result 
of such public infrastructure work shall be borne by the implementing agency or project 
proponent as part of its obligation to deliver the right-of-way, or by the private 
concessionaire, as the case may be.  
 
A real-time inspection and monitoring shall be done in cases of emergencies and 
calamities. 
 
SEC. 10. Inter-Agency Committee. – An Inter-Agency Committee to be chaired 
by the ERC and composed of authorized representatives from the DPWH, Department of 
the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Information and 
Communications Technology (DICT), National Telecommunications Company (NTC), 
National Transmission Corporation (TransCo), National Electrification Administration 
(NEA), and representatives from the LGUs, is hereby created to set the prescribed 
standards in the overhead installation of lines, cables, utility poles, equipment and 
accessories, monitor the same and conduct periodic inspection thereof to ensure 
compliance thereto and shall jointly plan for the conduct of clean-up drives, identify 
issues, prioritize key areas, recommend best practices or way forward, to ensure 
compliance of the latter with applicable existing laws, rules and regulations of relevant 
agencies/offices of the government, such as the PEC, the PDC, and the NBC.  
The Inter-Agency Committee may invite resource persons, if deemed necessary, 
from Professional Regulatory Board of Electrical Engineering (PRBEE), PRC-Board of 
Electronics and Communications Engineering (PRC-BECE), the Institute of Integrated 
Electrical Engineers of the Philippines (IIEE) and two (2) representatives from the private 
sector. 
 
SEC. 11. Penalty Provisions. – In addition to the civil liabilities prescribed by 
Article 2176 of the Civil Code on quasi-delict and the penalties prescribed by Article 365 
of the Revised Penal Code on criminal negligence, and unless otherwise provided under 


special laws, an electric distribution, cable, or telecommunications company found in 
violation of any provision of this Act, shall be punished with a fine of not less than Two 
hundred fifty thousand pesos (P250,000.00) but not more than Five hundred thousand 
pesos (P500,000.00) for the first offense; a fine of not less than Five hundred thousand 
pesos (P500,000.00) but not more than One million pesos (Pl,000,000.00) for the second 
offense; and a fine of not less than One million pesos (Pl,000,000.00) but not more than 
Two million pesos (P2,000,000.00) for the third and succeeding offenses, as may be 
determined by the court.  
 
  SEC. 12. Joint Congressional Oversight Committee (JCOC). – There is hereby 
created a Joint Congressional Oversight Committee to monitor the effective 
implementation of this Act, recommend the necessary remedial or administrative 
measures and perform such other duties and functions as may be necessary to attain the 
objectives of this Act. 
 
The JCOC shall be composed of ten (10) members, with the Chairpersons of the 
Committees on Energy of both Houses of Congress as Co-Chairpersons. The 
Chairpersons of the House Committee on Information and Communications Technology 
and Senate Committee on Public Services shall be the Co-Vice Chairpersons. An 
additional three (3) members from each House, shall be designated by the Senate 
President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, respectively: Provided, That 
at least one (1) member from each House shall be nominated by their respective Minority 
Leaders. The secretariat of the JCOC shall be the existing secretariat personnel of the 
concerned Committees of both Houses of Congress. 
 
SEC. 13. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – The ERC shall, in consultation 
with the DPWH, DILG, DICT, NTC, TRANSCO, PRBEE, PRC-BECE, NEA, IIEE and 
representatives from the LGUs, the electric distribution, cable and telecommunications 
companies, promulgate the necessary Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) within 
one hundred twenty (120) days from the effectivity of this Act.  
 
SEC. 14. Separability Clause. – If, for any reason, any provision of this Act is 
declared unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions hereof, which are not affected 
thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect. 
 
SEC. 15. Repealing Clause. – All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations or 
parts thereof, which are inconsistent with or contrary to the provisions of this Act, are 
hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly. 
 
SEC. 16. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
 
Approved,