Senator Tulfo to DOE: Optimize one-stop system for hassle-free energy

ARE WE EXPECTING MORE YELLOW, RED ALERTS? Senator Raffy Tulfo leads the hybrid hearing of the Senate Committee on Energy on the persistent and recurring power outages and rotational brownouts Wednesday, September 14, 2022. (Bibo Nueva España / Senate PRIB)

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Raffy Tulfo on Wednesday prodded the Department of Energy (DOE) to strengthen its Energy Virtual One-Stop Shop to find solutions to energy issues.

Initially, Tulfo urged for the creation of a separate inter-agency council that would expedite processes and projects related to energy.

But DOE officer-in-charge Assistant Secretary Mario Marasigan – while expressing support for Tulfo’s proposal – revealed they already have the Energy Virtual One-Stop Shop that facilitates energy-related processes.

As he learned about this, the senator instead advised the DOE that it would be better to just enhance their existing system to include resolving energy concerns.

“Sabi ninyo po, willing kayo na magkaroon pa ng isa kung kinakailangan. Para sa akin, bakit pa tayo magkakaroon ng task force or agency kung mayroon na nga po? Magdodoble lang po ‘yung trabaho,” Tulfo said during the hearing of the Senate committee on energy, which he chairs.

(You said you are willing to have another agency if needed. For me, why would we have another one if there is already an existing body? It will just double the work.)

“So, ang pinag-uusapan lang po rito sa Energy Virtual One Stop Shop system ay ‘yung mga papeles lang, mga permits, and clearances. Hindi po napag-uusapan dito ‘yung mga problema?” he asked Marasigan, who replied in the affirmative.

(So, the Energy Virtual One Stop Shop system only handles documents, permits, and clearances. Energy concerns are not being tackled here?)

Tulfo then suggested that members of the system meet in person to resolve issues hounding DOE.

“Sabi ko nga po sana hindi lang permit, sana napag-uusapan ‘yung mga problema. Bakit ‘di na lang po natin ito gawing face-to-face every now and then para maresolba po ang mga problema na pwedeng mapag-usapan?” the neophyte senator said.

(As I said, I hope it will not only work on permits but also on problems. Why won’t you hold face-to-face meetings every now and then to resolve problems that could be discussed?)

To this, Marasigan agreed.

The panel hearing tackled power outages persisting in various parts of the country, including Palawan and Occidental Mindoro. — with reports from Kristelle Anne Razon, trainee

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KGA/abc