Senator Sherwin Gatchalian filed a Senate resolution calling for a more in-depth investigation into the frequent brownouts that plague the province of Palawan.
Gatchalian said in a statement he was not satisfied with the “shallow” probe conducted by the National Electrification Administration on the Palawan brownouts.
“During the first six months of this year, Palawan residents suffered through an average of 13 brownout hours during 10 power interruptions per month. The Senate must exercise its oversight powers to hold stakeholders accountable and finally put an end to this mess,” said Gatchalian, the chairman of the Senate energy committee.
Proposed Senate Resolution No. 470 directed the committee to conduct an inquiry in aid of legislation on the matter.
The inquiry will review the compliance of the Palawan Electric Cooperative with the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 (Republic Act No. 9136) and the performance of NEA as the regulator of electric cooperatives under Republic Act No. 10531.
Gatchalian said at a formal dialogue held by the Energy Committee with Paleco, NEA, and private energy stakeholders on August 3, it was discovered that the frequent brownouts in Puerto Princesa City were caused by the inability of DMCI Power Corp. to provide 25 megawatts of electricity committed under its 2012 power supply agreement with Paleco.
DMCI Power said its contractual obligation was to deliver 25 MW of electricity using thermal and diesel power plants but due to the opposition of certain stakeholders, the company was “unable to construct and operate the committed thermal facility, which would have effectively addressed the need for stable, reliable and affordable power in the province.”
The Senate committee earlier directed NEA to conduct an investigation and submit its findings.