The Malampaya gas platform located 80 kilometers northwest of the coast of Palawan. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Amid complaints from consumers about the nation’s high electricity rates, Malacañang on Sunday said there is no decision yet to amend the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (Epira), which deregulated the power sector.
“There is no decision yet on that issue at the level of the Cabinet,” Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said in Filipino, adding that they already had a thorough discussion of the matter after the Malampaya natural gas plant shutdown that triggered high power rates.
Coloma said it would also be proper to wait for the proposal of lawmakers on whether to amend the Epira.
“The Department of Energy and other agencies are working hard to address power supply concerns, especially during summertime,” he assured the public.
Meanwhile, the Energy Regulatory Commission is monitoring the actions and policies of the players in the electric power industry, to check if they are violating any law, Coloma said.
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