Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 5134)
Republic Act No. 5134 grants Mexico Ice Plant a franchise to construct, operate, and maintain an ice plant and cold storage in specific municipalities of Pampanga, and to sell ice and supply cold storage within the province.
The municipalities covered are Mexico, San Fernando, Magalang, Arayat, San Luis, and San Simon in the Province of Pampanga.
The schedule of prices and rates charged by the grantee is subject to regulation by the Public Service Commission.
The franchise shall continue for a period of twenty-five years from the date the plant and cold storage commence operations.
Construction must begin within four years and be completed within six years from the approval date of the Act, except in cases of force majeure or other uncontrollable causes.
All apparatus and appurtenances must be modern, safe, and first-class. The grantee must update them at its own expense if the Public Service Commission deems it necessary for public interest.
The provincial treasurer or his authorized representatives have the right to inspect the grantee's books, records, and accounts.
The grantee must submit quarterly reports in duplicate showing gross receipts to the provincial treasurer, who forwards one copy to the Auditor General.
The franchise is subject to amendment, alteration, or repeal by Congress when public interest requires it.
Any more favorable terms granted to a competing entity will automatically apply to the grantee under this Act.