House leader wants DOE to explain Aquino emergency powers

House majority leader Neptali Gonzales II. INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—A House of Representatives leader wants the Department of Energy to explain the extent of President Benigno Aquino III’s emergency powers to contract additional power capacity, seen as the solution to address the looming power shortage in 2015.

“What we have received is communication from the President… but we still don’t know what exactly is being asked for,” Majority floor leader and Mandaluyong Rep. Neptali Gonzales II said in an interview on Wednesday.

He said he and House energy committee chairperson Oriental Mindoro Rep. Reynaldo Umali both agreed that no costs for the additional power capacity will be passed on to consumers.

“Our common understanding is that it must not result in additional burden to consumers,” Gonzales said.

But Umali had earlier said that at least P0.60 cents per kilowatt hour will be passed on to consumers to cover the P6 billion rental fees for a two-year contract.

Gonzales also expressed doubts on the P6 billion needed to plug in the projected 300 megawatts supply deficit in Luzon next year.

He said the amount is too much if only to address the power shortage of the three-month summer period in 2015.

“How do you justify a rental? If you rent for two years and you have to pay P6 billion for two years but you only needed it for three months net year, is it right that the people will have to pay P6 billion? That’s too much,” Gonzales said in Filipino.

In his letter addressed to Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. and Senate President Franklin Drilon dated September 12, President Aquino said he should be granted emergency powers in light of expected power outages during the summer season.

“In accordance with the… Electric Power Industry Reform Act (Epira), I hereby seek the immediate enactment of a joint resolution authorizing the President to establish additional generating capacity,” the letter read.

He said the Department of Energy expects a “critical electricity situation” due to the El Nino phenomenon, the Malampaya turnaround, power outages and delays in the commissioning of committed power projects.

“There is no gainsaying that the imminent electric power shortage during these months is a real threat to the country’s growing economy and the general welfare of the people,” Aquino said.

Epira allows emergency powers to the President “upon the determination by the President of the Philippines of an imminent shortage of the supply of electricity.”

“Congress may authorize, through a joint resolution, the establishment of additional generating capacity under such terms and conditions as it may approve,” Section 71 of the law reads.

Luzon is usually wracked with power shortage during summer season due to thinning power reserves.

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