The Baguio City Council recently enacted an ordinance that will simplify the process for obtaining Certificates of Final Electrical Inspection (CFEI) or Certificates of Electrical Inspection (CEI) by the City Buildings and Architecture Office (CBAO), making it easier for Baguio residents to connect to the electrical grid.
By reducing bureaucratic hurdles and simplifying document requirements, the ordinance seeks to ensure that more households can access electricity which is essential for modern living standards.
Through this initiative, the city is able to help its residents get access to reliable electricity, thus uplifting their standard of living.
The ordinance cited data from the Department of Social Welfare and Development-Cordillera (DSWD-CAR) which indicates that many households in the city still lack electricity service connections and that they still rely on gas lamps and candles for lighting.
The simplified process applies exclusively to residents of Baguio City occupying residential dwellings subject to investigation by the CBAO. On the other hand, structures with active demolition orders, located within waterways or declared high-risk areas by government agencies are disqualified.
Requirements include an electrical plan compliant with the Philippine Electrical Code; proof of ownership such as deed of sale, waivers, tax declaration, or authorization from the registered/declared building owner; certificate of non-tax delinquency; barangay certification.
Additional documents, if applying through a representative, are the following: original notarized letter of authorization or Special Power of Attorney; photocopy of the notarized contract of lease/agreement (if applicable); or photocopy of any document showing proof of relationship of the representative to the principal owner such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, or death certificates.
The above requirements may apply to structures under the purview of Torrens title system and the National Building Code of the Philippines.
Applications for electrical connections must be filed with the CBAO which will then be evaluated by the CBAO for completeness and compliance with the Philippine Electrical Code. The applicant pays the recommended fee, receives an official receipt, and submits it to the CBAO for review and approval. Applications must be processed by a qualified Professional Electrical Engineer (PEE), or Registered Electrical Engineer (REE), or RME (Registered Master Electrician), or other electrical practitioners duly accredited by the Benguet Electric Cooperative, Inc. (BENECO) and the Institute of Integrated Electrical Engineers of the Philippines, Inc. (IIEE), Baguio-Benguet Chapter or the applicant.
In cases of fraud or non-disclosure of relevant information, the affected party will be required to voluntarily remove and surrender their electrical service connections.
The ordinance has been transmitted to the City Mayor’s Office to be signed by Mayor Benjamin Magalong before its implementation. -Jordan G. Habbiling
