Speaker: House to hold marathon sessions on energy, fuel
By Maila Ager
INQUIRER.net
First Posted 15:45:00 05/05/2008
MANILA, Philippines -- Speaker Prospero Nograles has ordered the House energy committee, headed by Pampanga Representative Juan Miguel Arroyo, to conduct marathon sessions and expedite the passage of various measures to protect the public and consumers from the spiraling costs of fuel and electricity.
“I already gave marching orders to the committee energy chair, Representative Mikey Arroyo, to immediately convene his committee to address or avert effects of the energy prices due to oil price hikes and to protect our people and our consumers at all cost,” Nograles said in a statement on Monday.
“I want the committee to conduct marathon hearings so that we can produce high-impact legislation to address the energy situation. We must cushion the impact [of rising prices] and protect our people and consumers,” he said.
The Speaker said he specifically tasked Arroyo, the President’s oldest son Arroyo, to find a “quick and effective solution” to the rising cost of energy -- both in crafting or amending laws, and in the effective implementation of existing energy laws.
“His committee can also make recommendations that don’t require an act of Congress and we will submit these recommendations to the President,” Nograles said.
Among the pending measures in the House are a proposal to amend the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) to accelerate the implementation of retail competition and open access in the power industry; the proposed renewable Resources Act; and a proposal to develop a downstream natural gas industry.
At present, Nograles said, only the EPIRA amendment has been submitted by the committee for plenary deliberation. It is expected to be approved on third reading before Congress adjourns on June 13.
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