Pacquiao wants power rates lower by 30-50%

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Manny Pacquiao said he wants to lower power rates by 30 to 50 percent should he win the presidential race this coming May 9.

During Pacquiao’s visit to Northern Samar, he was asked what he could do to address the province’s electricity issues such as unstable supply and high rates.

READ: 13-hour blackout in Samar Island, parts of Leyte due to wires transfer

“’Yan isa munang aaksyunan ko. Gusto ko pababain ‘yung kuryente kasi tayo ang pinaka-mahal ang singil ang kuryente sa buong Asia eh. Gusto ko pababain siya ng 30 to 50 percent, kalahati talaga malaking bagay,” he responded.

(That is one of the issues that I will act upon. I want to lower electricity rates in the country because we charge the highest in Asia. I want to reduce it by 30 to 50 percent, half is already a significant thing.)

According to Pacquiao, getting an independent power operator is important to control power costs.

“Ang sabi ng batas natin, kailangan talaga alisin na ‘yung mga company diyan at kumuha tayo ng tunay, tunay na tunay na IPO, independent power operator, para ma-control ‘yung presyo ng ating kuryente. ‘Yan ang importante,” he explained.

(Our law states that we need to remove companies and get a real IPO, independent power operator, to control the price of electricity. That is important.)

Pacquiao had earlier criticized previous administrations’ decision to privatize utilities, including electricity, and raised the need to review the country’s energy policies.

READ: Pacquiao favors use of floating nuclear plants, vows cheaper electricity

The senator is also pushing for the use of renewable energy like solar, wind, mini-hydro, and wave.

READ: Prexy bets offer plans for renewable energy, water supply

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