Section 16Sec./Art. 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 thirty percent (30%) 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 commencement of its operations: 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.

In the event the required dispersal of ownership is not implemented within five (5) years, the holdings of persons, natural or juridical, including directors, officers, stockholders, and related interests, in the grantee and its respective holding company, if any, shall not exceed twenty-five percent (25%) of the voting shares of stock unless the utility or the company holding the shares or its controlling stockholders are already listed in the Philippine Stock Exchange.

Non-compliance therewith shall render the franchise ipso facto revoked.