Laguna Rep. Dan Fernandez on Sunday hit the monopoly in power utilities by distribution firm Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) and the failure of the Energy Regulatory Commission to lower electricity rates.
He lamented that after 20 years of implementation of Republic Act 9136 or the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA Law), “it is very sad to note that the country’s power utility sector remains under the control of the so-called chosen few and monopolized by the oligarchs.”
Fernandez said achieving the main purpose of the law, which is to lower the cost of electricity, “seems to be far from becoming a reality.”
In a privilege speech, he questioned the manner on how Meralco conducted its competitive selection process (CSP) for the supply of 1,800 megawatts covering over 20 years.
“What is happening to us is alarming, especially in the energy sector. Twenty years ago, RA 9136 or EPIRA Law was created to ensure that Filipino consumers would benefit from this law. But after 20 years of EPIRA Law, the power rate for the Filipino masses continues to be high and still tortures them,” he said.
“We always hope for the best for the Filipino people, for the Filipino families. Pero paano po natin gagawin ang bagay na ito kung ang mismong kababayan nating Filipino ay siya nating kalaban sa pagbibigay ng tumpak at tamang serbisyo?”
“Mismong mayayaman nating negosyante, mga oligarchs, sa pakikipagsabwatan sa ilang tiwaling opisyales ng gobyerno ay ginagawa nilang playground ang RA 9136. Pinaglalaruan nila ang batas, pinaiikot para sa kanilang sariling interes,” he added.
He cited Meralco’s third party bids and swards committee’s decision to disqualify three of the nine bidders from participating in the CSP for a 1,800-megawatt power supply contract.
Fernandez appealed to the House leadership, particularly to the chairman of the committee on good government and public accountability, to conduct a hearing.
He slammed Energy Regulatory Commission chairperson Agnes Devanadera on her pronouncement that by the end of December 2020, a re-computation of power rate—based on the weighted average cost of capital on the price of electricity distributed by Meralco was expected to go down—would take effect.
