• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Deputy Speaker and Bacolod City Lone District Rep. Alfredo Abelardo Benitez called for long-term measures to address continuing electricity supply concerns in the Visayas, stressing that reliable power is a basic necessity for households, businesses, schools, hospitals, and the regional economy.
“Visayas should not be left behind,” Benitez said, emphasizing the need for clear policies, stronger coordination among agencies, and political will to address the region’s power problems.
“Our people have suffered enough. Ang kuryente indi luho. Basic necessity ini para sa pamilya, negosyo, eskwelahan, ospital, kag ekonomiya sang aton rehiyon,” he said.
Benitez said the electricity problem requires sustained action and coordination among government agencies and other stakeholders to establish a long-term solution.
Meanwhile, Negros Occidental Third District Rep. Javier Miguel Benitez pointed to the power deficiency affecting the Visayas-Mindanao grid as one of the factors behind the region’s electricity problems.
He said the limited available supply has resulted in rotating brownouts, yellow and red alerts, and manual load shedding.
“Basically, walang generation na pumapasok sa atin,” Benitez said, describing the situation as a power deficiency crisis.
He said the House has filed a resolution seeking an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the grid situation and possible measures that concerned government agencies can undertake.
The inquiry may look into the actions and responsibilities of the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), Department of Energy, Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines, and other agencies involved in the power sector, he said.
The younger Benitez also cited the ERC’s order directing the recalculation of August spot market prices, following elevated prices during periods when the grid was under yellow and red alerts.
He said the recalculation was expected to result in an average reduction of about 54 percent, with the adjustment expected to be reflected in electricity bills issued around Sept. 20.
He clarified that the actual reduction could vary among electric cooperatives.
Benitez said the measure seeks to protect consumers from paying higher electricity costs during periods when power supply is inadequate.
“Hindi dapat bayaran ng ating mga konsumidor ang mataas na presyo kung wala namang energy at mababa yung value ng binabayad nila,” he said.
He added that the House would continue coordinating with the executive branch through legislative oversight to assess the power situation and identify measures to protect consumers from excessive electricity costs. | GPB
