Power cost reduction, Epira Law amendment top Congress Power Block agenda

July 30, 2019 Metro BLISTT

BAGUIO CITY – Reduction of power cost, hastening of rural electrification, and amendment of the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) are among the priority bills worked on by four Partylists belonging to the so-called “Power Block” in Congress.

Newly elected representatives from the Power Block namely, Rural Electric Consumers and Beneficiaries of Development and Advancement (Recoboda); Philippine Rural Cooperatives Association (Philreca); Ako Padayon; and Association of Philippine Electric Cooperatives (APEC) vowed to battle out in Congress measures bringing down the cost of electricity.

“The cost of electricity in our country is the highest among Asia,” Recoboda representative Godofredo Guva said during a press forum hosted by Benguec Electric Cooperative (BENECO) on Thursday, July 25, 2019.

“Our strength and a power block and united towards working for the welfare of electric consumers could work for our advantage,” Guva said.

Guva added that their group will also push for the review of taxes levied to power generation, transmission and distribution which is causing a big economic burden to consumers.

Philreca representative Presley de Jesus on the issue of EPIRA law, outlined his party list bill to amend the 18-year old law which featured the following: optimize the powers and functions of labor department to protect the consumers against market abuse; authorize the government through National Power Corp (NAPOCOR) to engage in power generation and contracting capacity to stabilize market prices during emergency shutdown of base local plants.

Philreca also wants the transfer of small power utilities group operation to the National Electric Administration (NEA). Philreca also got the strong support of the other members of the block in strengthening NEA by converting it into National Electrification Authority through the passage of a bill.

The bill seeks to institutionalize the processes and operations of NEA and electric cooperatives (ECs) with a definite and autonomous system, sustainability and functions in the field of rural electrification and socioeconomic development.

The bill will empower NEA in the grant, allocation and amendment modification of franchises of ECs as it is designed for purposes of convenience of cooperatives.

Other bills introduced by Philreca were the National Linemen Day in recognition of the role of electrical line workers and the Linemen Training Academy of the Philippines.

Meanwhile, BENECO General Manager Gerardo Versoza told media men that his cooperative is very much willing to share its technological expertise to the “ailing” Abra Electric Cooperative. Versoza added that BENECO is on track in the construction of its own hydropower plants.

Sources in the cooperative said these power plants are located in Buguias, Benguet will generate three megawatts and cost the cooperative P500 million, and expected to be in operation in December 2019; and the 200-megawatt Kabayan Plant which is still in the design stage.

Meanwhile, NEA administrator Edgardo Masongsong reported his agency is speeding up the rural electrification program. He said some two million households spread across the country still need electricity.

Primo Agatep/ABN