Energy conservation pushed amid impasse over special powers for Aquino

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Monday called for the  adoption of energy conservation measures and “continuing  support from the private sector in using their own generators as an alternative power source”  to address the looming power shortage in the country during the summer season.

Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma issued the call amid an ongoing impasse between the Senate and the House of Representatives to agree on a reconciled version of the proposed emergency powers for President Benigno Aquino III.

The two chambers have separately approved the measure but they have yet to agree on a reconciled version in the bicameral conference  committee.

Asked if the Palace has already given up hope that the two chambers could  reconcile their conflicting versions of the measure,  Coloma said: “We continue to work closely with Congress in threshing out issues pertaining to the enactment of a Joint Resolution to address the possible power supply shortage for the duration of the summer season.”

“Meantime, government calls for the adoption of energy conservation measures and continuing support from the private sector in using their own generators as an alternative power source, under the DOE’s  (Department of Energy) Interruptible Load Program (ILP),” he said.

The ILP, which will see private companies with their own generator sets going off the grid when power reserves are low, is one of the contentious  issues  in the  bicameral  committee.

“According to Secretary Petilla, DOE continues to monitor closely the supply situation in view of the start of the annual maintenance of the Malampaya power plant,” “ Coloma said, referring to Energy Secretary Jericho  Petilla.

“It is hoped that with the adoption of these contingency measures, and with full public support, the possibility of rotating 2-hour brownouts in Luzon, which has been projected as the worst-case scenario, may be minimized,”   he further said.