“ACCESS [to electricity] is not just the ability to connect or access to service itself, as it also includes a pricing context. It is not accessible if it is too expensive.”
Energy Secretary Jose Rene Almendras made this point as he disclosed that their thrust in the next six years is to make access to electricity readily available and affordable for everyone.
He added the Energy department’s new tagline “Energy Access for More” encompasses availability, supply, consistency, reliability and affordability of energy supply. “We target to achieve optimal pricing or the best possible price considering all realities.”
Almendras said they are developing a pricing framework for indigenous sources in the short term to evolve a methodology for pricing of indigenous energy resources in the medium term.
In the short term, his department will review tax issues affecting energy prices, such as the value-added tax
(VAT), real-property taxes and other local taxes; revisit the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (Epira), such as issues on lifeline rates, mandated rate reduction, loan condonation and cross-subsidy removal.
Almendras added they will strengthen the capacity of distribution utilities to contract their power supply from power generators or suppliers and for them to implement time-of-use and demand-side management programs.
Almendras also cited the need to upgrade and improve the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines’ transmission lines to achieve optimal energy pricing.
His department is also looking at launching the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market in the Visayas, as well as monitoring technical regulation of the players in the power sector.
For the downstream oil industry, Almendras said the Department of Energy will also review oil prices formulas and methodologies in a bid to improve transparency of pricing, among others.
The department will also work on resolving taxation issues with the Department of Finance, the Bureau of Internal Revenue and the Bureau of Customs, particularly on issues such as import duties, excise taxes, VAT on refined petroleum products, the biofuel chain and imported ethanol.
“Over the medium term, the Energy department will also work on the establishment of a reserves market for electricity and the implementation of open access and retail competition,” said Almendras. –Paul Anthony A. Isla / Reporter, Businessmirror
March –
IT’S WOMEN’S MONTH!
“Respect and support women
every day of the year/s!”
Invoke Article 33 of the ILO Constitution
against the military junta in Myanmar
to carry out the recommendations of the 2021 ILO Commission of Inquiry
against serious violations of protocols of
Forced Labour and Freedom of Association.
Accept the National Unity Government (NUG)
of Myanmar. Reject Military!
#WearMask #WashHands
#Report Corruption #SearchPosts #TakePicturesVideos
Monthly Observances:
Women’s Role in History Month
Weekly Observances:
Week 1: Environmental Week;
Women’s Week
Week 3: Philippine Industry and “
Made-in-the-Philippines Products Week
Last Week: Protection and Gender-Fair Treatment
of the Girl Child Week
Daily Observances:
March 8: Women’s Rights and
International Peace Day;
National Women’s Day
March 4: Employee Appreciation Day
March 15: World Consumer Rights Day
March 18: Global Recycling Day
March 21: International Day for the Elimination
of Racial Discrimination
March 23: International Day for the Right to the Truth
Concerning Gross Human Rights Violations
and for the Dignity of Victims
March 25: International Day of Remembrance of the
Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade
March 27: Earth Hour
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