Bohol Light Company, Inc. (Franchise)

Senate Office of the ferretary TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session FEB 11 A11 :32 SENATE RECEIVED BY: S. No. 1834 Introduced by Senator PIA S. CAYETANO AN ACT GRANTING BOHOL LIGHT COMPANY, INC. A FRANCHISE TO CONSTRUCT, INSTALL, ESTABLISH, OPERATE, OWN, MANAGE, AND MAINTAIN A DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM FOR THE CONVEYANCE OF ELECTRIC POWER TO THE END-USERS IN THE CITY OF TAGBILARAN, PROVINCE OF BOHOL, AND ENSURING THE CONTINUOUS AND UNINTERRUPTED SUPPLY OF ELECTRICITY IN THE FRANCHISE AREA EXPLANATORY NOTE It is the policy of the State to ensure the availability of quality, reliable, secure, and affordable supply of electric power throughout the country. This commitment supports inclusive economic development, industrial growth, and protection of consumer welfare. To this end, the State recognizes that access to electricity is a fundamental driver of national progress. Consistent with this policy, the State must ensure continued distribution of electricity to the public. Bohol Light Company, Inc. (BLCI)'s franchise, issued by the National Electrification Commission, expired on 19 October 2025. In view of the expiration of its authority to operate, the grant of a new congressional franchise is necessary to provide a clear statutory basis for its continued operations within its service area. BLCI is jointly owned by Primelectric Holdings Inc. and the Provincial Government of Bohol. Primelectric Holdings Inc. is a subsidiary of Prime Strategic Holdings Inc., which has demonstrated its technical and financial capability in 1 Sec. 2(b), RA 9136.

managing electric distribution utilities. It has successfully rehabilitated and improved the power distribution services in Iloilo City through MORE Electric and Power Corporation, as well as in Negros Occidental through Negros Electric and Power Corporation. Given BLCI's ownership structure, access to technical expertise, and financial capacity, this bill will serve the public interest by promoting reliable, efficient, and improved electric power distribution in Tagbilaran City. This bill seeks to grant BLCI a legislative franchise to construct, install, establish, operate, manage, and maintain an electric power distribution system in Tagbilaran City, Province of Bohol, for commercial purposes and in the public interest. In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of the bill and approval of the same are earnestly sought. Pra S. Cautano PIA S. CAYETANO

SOCIATE Ottier of the Soccectary TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session ) 26 FEB 11 AI1 :32 SENATE RECEIVED BY: S. No. 1834 Introduced by Senator PIA S. CAYETANO AN ACT GRANTING BOHOL LIGHT COMPANY, INC. A FRANCHISE TO CONSTRUCT, INSTALL, ESTABLISH, OPERATE, OWN, MANAGE, AND MAINTAIN A DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM FOR THE CONVEYANCE OF ELECTRIC POWER TO THE END-USERS IN THE CITY OF TAGBILARAN, PROVINCE OF BOHOL, AND ENSURING THE CONTINUOUS AND UNINTERRUPTED SUPPLY OF ELECTRICITY IN THE FRANCHISE AREA 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

2 Constitution and applicable laws, rules and regulations, there is hereby granted to 3 Bohol Light Company, Inc., hereunder referred to as the Grantee, its successors or 4 assignees, a franchise to construct, install, establish, operate, own, manage, and maintain in the public interest and for commercial purposes, a distribution system for 6 the conveyance of electric power to end-users in the City of Tagbilaran, Province of 7 Bohol. As used in this Act, "distribution system" refers to the system of wires and associated facilities including subtransmission lines belonging to or used by 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- user.

Sec. 2. Manner of Operation of Facilities. - All electric distribution facilities,

lines, and systems for electric services constructed, installed, established, operated,

owned, managed, and maintained by the Grantee, its successors or assignees, shall 2 be operated and maintained at all times in a superior manner, and it shall be the duty 3 of the Grantee, its successors or assignees, whenever required to do so by the Energy 4 Regulatory Commission (ERC) or its legal successor, or the Department of Energy 5 (DOE) 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 7 the progress in science or technology and improvements or innovations in the electric 8 power services may render reasonable and proper. Whenever practicable, and for purposes of maintaining order, safety, and aesthetics along the highways, roads, streets, alleys, or rights-of-way, the Grantee may allow the use of free spaces in its poles, facilities, or rights-of-way by interested parties upon payment of 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.

Sec. 3. Authority of the Energy Regulatory Commission and Other Government

Agencies. - The Grantee shall secure from the ERC, or any other government agency having jurisdiction over its operations, the Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) and any other license, permit, or authority indispensable for the 20 construction and operation of the electric power distribution system.

Sec. 4. Excavation and Restoration Works. - For the purpose of erecting and

maintaining the poles or other supports for said facilities, wires, or other conductors, or 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 prior approval of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) or the local government unit concerned, as may be appropriate, to make excavations or lay conduits in any of the public places, highways, roads, streets, lanes, alleys, avenues, sidewalks, or bridges of the province, cities, or municipalities: Provided, That a public place, highway, road, street, lane, alley, avenue, sidewalk, or bridge disturbed, 30 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 and replaced in quick and efficient manner by the Grantee, its successors or assignees, in 3 accordance with the standards set by the DPWH or the local government unit concerned. Should the Grantee, its successors or assignees, after the ten (10)-day notice from the grant of authority, fail, refuse, or neglect to repair or replace any part 6 of public place, highway, road, street, lane, alley, avenue, sidewalk, or bridge altered, 7 changed, or disturbed by the said Grantee, its successors or assignees, then the DPWH 8 or the local government unit 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.

Sec. 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 franchise 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 (RA) No. 9136, otherwise known as the "Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001," as amended. 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.

Sec. 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 RA No. 9136, as amended. Such rates 30 charged by the Grantee to the end-users shall be made public and transparent. The

1 Grantee shall implement a lifeline rate to marginalized end-users, as mandated by RA No. 9136, as amended. The Grantee shall strictly comply with the systems loss cap prescribed by the ERC.

Sec. 7. Protection of Consumer Interests. - The Grantee shall establish a

consumer desk that will handle complaints and ensure adequate protection of 7 consumer interests. The Grantee shall act swiftly on all such complaints brought before it. The Grantee shall reduce the duration and frequency of interruptions in its network and in that regard, observe the System Average Interruption Frequency Index (SAIFI) and System Average Interruption Duration Index (SAIDI) imposed by the ERC.

Sec. 8. Election of Independent Directors. - The Board of the Grantee shall

have independent directors constituting at least twenty percent (20%) of its total membership. These directors must be elected by a majority of the outstanding shares 15 entitled to vote. An independent director is defined as a person who, apart from shareholdings and fees received from the corporation, is independent of management and free from any business or other relationship which could, or could reasonably be perceived to, materially interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director.

Sec. 9. Commitment to Provide and Promote the Creation of Employment

Opportunities. - The Grantee shall create employment opportunities and allow on-the- job training in their franchise operation: Provided, That priority shall be accorded to the residents in their franchise area: 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.

Sec. 10. Right of the Government. - A special right is hereby reserved to the

President of the Philippines, in times of war, rebellion, public peril, calamity, emergency, disaster, or disturbance of peace and order, to temporarily take over and

1 operate the distribution system of the Grantee; to temporarily suspend the operation 2 of any station or facility in the interest of public safety, security, and public welfare; 3 or to authorize the temporary use and operation thereof by any agency of the 4 government, upon due compensation to the Grantee, for the use of the stations or 5 facilities during the period when these shall be so operated.

Sec. 11. Right of Eminent Domain. - Subject to the limitations and procedures

7 prescribed by law, the Grantee is authorized to exercise the right of eminent domain 8 insofar as it may be reasonably necessary for the efficient maintenance and operation 9 of services. The Grantee is authorized to install and maintain its poles, wires, and 10 other facilities over, under, and across public property, including streets, highways, parks, and other similar property of the Government of the Philippines, its branches, 12 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.

Sec. 12. Term of the Franchise. - This franchise shall be for a term of twenty-

17 five (25) years upon effectivity, unless sooner cancelled. This franchise shall be deemed ipso facto revoked in the event that the Grantee fails to operate continuously for two (2) years from the issuance of a CPCN by the ERC.

Sec. 13. Warranty in Favor of the National and Local Governments. - The

21 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 properties during the construction, installation, operation, and maintenance of the distribution system of the Grantee.

Sec. 14. Liability for Damages. - The Grantee shall be liable for any injury to

26 persons and damage to properties arising from accidents by reason of any defective 27 construction under this franchise or of any neglect or omission to keep its poles and wires in safe condition.

Sec. 15. Sale, Lease, Transfer, Usufruct, or Assignment of Franchise. - The

30 Grantee shall not sell, lease, transfer, grant the usufruct of, or assign this franchise or

1 the rights and privileges acquired thereunder to any person, firm, company, 2 corporation, or other commercial or legal entity, or merge with any other corporation 3 or entity, or transfer the controlling interest of the Grantee, whether as a whole or in 4 parts, and whether simultaneously or contemporaneously, to any such person, firm, 5 company, corporation, or entity without the prior approval of the Congress of the 6 Philippines: Provided, That upon the completion of any transaction duly approved by 7 Congress, the Grantee shall formally inform Congress of the consummated sale, lease, 8 transfer, grant of usufruct, assignment, merger, or transfer of controlling interest within sixty (60) days from completion thereof: Provided, further, That any such 10 transfer, sale, or assignment is in accordance with the constitutional limitations: Provided, furthermore, That failure to report to Congress such change of controlling interest shall render the franchise ipso facto revoked: Provided, finally, That the limitations set forth in this section shall not apply to: (a) any transfer or issuance of shares of stock in the implementation of the requirement for the dispersal of ownership in the Grantee pursuant to Section 16 of this Act; and (b) any sale, transfer, 16 or assignment of shares of the Grantee in favor of an affiliate whose controlling 17 interest is owned by the same parent corporation of the Grantee. Any person or entity to which this franchise is sold, leased, transferred, or assigned, shall be subject to the same conditions, terms, restrictions, and limitations of this Act.

Sec. 16. Dispersal of Ownership. - In accordance with the constitutional

provision to encourage public participation in public utilities, the grantee shall offer to the public, specifically Filipino citizens, at least twenty percent (20%) or a higher percentage that may hereafter be provided by law of its outstanding capital stock in any securities exchange in the Philippines within five (5) years from the grant of its CPCN by the ERC: Provided, That in cases where a public offer of shares is not applicable, other methods of encouraging public participation by citizens and corporations operating public utilities must be implemented: Provided, further, That ownership by the Provincial Government of Bohol of at least twenty percent (20%) of the outstanding capital stock of the Grantee shall be deemed compliance with the dispersal of ownership requirement.

In the event that the required dispersal of ownership is not implemented within 2 five (5) years from the grant of its CPCN, the holdings of persons, natural or juridical, 3 including directors, officers, stockholders, and related interests in the Grantee and its 4 respective holding company, if any, shall not exceed twenty-five percent (25%) of the 5 voting shares of stock, unless the utility or the company holding the shares or its 6 controlling stockholders are already listed in the Philippine stock exchange: Provided, 7 That the ERC may, upon application of the Grantee, and after notice and hearing, 8 allow such reasonable extension of the five (5)-year period within which the Grantee 9 should offer its shares of stock to the public, if the market conditions are not suitable for such listing or in the event that the Grantee cannot comply with the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission or the Philippine Stock Exchange for a 12 public offering, especially the three (3)-year profitability requirement. Non-compliance therewith shall render the franchise ipso facto revoked.

Sec. 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 on 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 20 certificate is accepted by the ERC.

Sec. 18. Fine. - The failure of the Grantee to submit the requisite annual report

to Congress shall be penalized with a fine in the amount of Five hundred pesos (P500.00) per working day of noncompliance 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.

Sec. 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 be accorded immediately and unconditionally to the herein Grantee: Provided, That the foregoing shall neither apply to nor affect provisions concerning territory covered by

the franchise, the term of the franchise, or the type of service authorized by the 2 franchise: Provided, further, That the foregoing shall not apply to the sale, lease, 3 transfer, grant of usufruct, or assignment of legislative franchises with prior congressional approval.

Sec. 20. Applicability of Existing Laws. - The Grantee shall comply with and be

6 subject to the relevant provisions of Commonwealth Act No. 146, or the "Public Service 7 Act," as amended, and RA No. 9136, as amended.

Sec. 21. Repeatability and Non-Exclusivity Clause. - This franchise shall be

9 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.

Sec. 22. Separability Clause. - If any portion of this Act is declared invalid or

unconstitutional, other provisions hereof shall remain in full force and effect.

Sec. 23. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, rules, and regulations, or portion

thereof, inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

Sec. 24. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. Approved,