Palace assures zero power outage with Aquino emergency powers
MANILA, Philippines—Despite the approval of the House energy committee on a joint resolution granting the request of President Benigno Aquino III for emergency powers to avert the looming energy crisis next year, a Palace official said Tuesday that Malacañang remains realistic and will adjust its plans if necessary.
Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said in a press briefing that the additional powers given to the President would ensure that no power blackouts would occur in the summer of 2015.
“Reyalistiko naman tayo. Kung ano ’yung reyalidad na nakahain na diyan, ‘yon ang magiging batayan para sa mga susunod na hakbang; at lahat ng hakbang na ito ay nilalaan natin para tiyakin na ang ating mga mamamayan ay hindi magdaranas ng kakulangan sa supply ng kuryente at ito ay matatamo nila sa resonableng halaga,” Coloma said.
(We are realistic. Whatever reality we are facing, that will serve as the basis of the next steps that we will take. All of these steps will ensure that our citizens will not experience power shortages and that power is pegged at a reasonable price.)
Coloma said that the Palace welcomes the decision of the House energy panel to grant emergency powers to Aquino.
In a vote of 18 congressmen in favor, one against, and one abstention, House Joint Resolution 21, which will authorize Aquino to establish additional power generating capacity through the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (Epira), was approved Tuesday.
According to the Department of Energy, the maximum projected shortfall next year is pegged at 1,004 megawatts (MW).
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