Senate committee defers DOE budget approval

MANILA, Philippines — A Senate finance sub-committee on Tuesday deferred the approval of Department of Energy’s (DOE) proposed P4-billion budget due to the absence of some lawmakers.

Senator Sergio Osmeña III, who chairs the sub-committee, suspended the hearing until next week so more senators can participate.

Osmeña said many of their colleagues wanted to ask DOE about its 2014 budget but they were unable to attend.

The committee set the next hearing on October 2 at 10 a.m.

Among the issues tackled on Tuesday were the situation of the energy industry, renewable energy sources, electric cooperatives, power outlook and the e-tricycle project.