THE Provincial Board (PB) asked the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), through the Department of Energy (DOE), not to act on petitions for power rate increase.
These agencies should look for ways to reduce power rates instead, PB Members Thadeo Ouano and Sergio Restauro said in a resolution that was passed in mass motion during the session yesterday.
“Our country is blessed with alternative and renewable sources of energy, which are not only environment-friendly but also generate power at lower costs,” the PB resolution read.
The PB believes a power rate increase would result in demands for increase in the prices of goods, fare and wages.
Investors
On the other hand, bringing down electricity rates would make Cebu more attractive to investors that, in turn, will create more jobs.
The Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management (Psalm) has a pending petition to increase power rates by 40 centavos per kilowatthour before the ERC.
ERC reviews proposals that would affect end-consumers of electricity, including power rates, charges that are incorporated in power costs, and operations of distribution utilities and power generators.
The PB said power rates can still be brought down.
Competition
The PB also proposed that the DOE—which is headed by Secretary Rene Almendras, younger brother of Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale—implement a program that would improve competition and attract investment in the energy sector.
Last week, five organizations asked President Benigno Aquino III to defer power rate increases.
The groups are the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Philippine Exporters Confederation, Philippine Steelmakers Association, Freedom from Debt Coalition and Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) party-list.
The groups said power rate increases eat part of a family’s budget that is usually allotted for food, medicines and education. –Rizel S. Adlawan, Sun Star
September 18 –
International Equal Pay Day
“Increase wages now,
more than other cost items.
For widespread, practical equality!”
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!
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September –
5 Sept – Intl Day of Charity
7 Sept – Intl Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies
8 Sept – International Literacy Day
12 Sept – United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation
15 Sept – International Day of Democracy
16 Sept – International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer
17 Sept – World Patient Safety Day
18 Sept – International Equal Pay Day
21 Sept – International Day of Peace
26 Sept – International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons
27 Sept – World Tourism Day
28 Sept – International Day for Universal Access to Information
29 Sept – International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste
30 Sept – World Maritime Day
Monthly Observances:
Health, Safety and Sanitation Month
National Clean-up Month
Civil Service Month
National Peace Consciousness Month
Social Security Month
Rule of Law Month
National Teachers’ Month (Sept 5-Oct 4)
Weekly Observances:
Sept 17 – 23:
World Clean and Green Week
Week 2: Education Week
Week 4: Medicine Week
Last Week: National Family Week
Daily Observances:
Third Saturday:
International Coastal Clean-up Day
Third Monday: World Health Day
Last Friday: National Maritime Day
Sept 8: National Literacy Day
Sept 15: Philippine Medicine Day
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