PROPOSED amendments to the country’s power sector framework must result in immediate, tangible savings on monthly electricity bills for ordinary Filipino families rather than empty pledges, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go urged.
Speaking on the heels of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA), Go called on Congress, energy regulators, and utility stakeholders to act swiftly and decisively on proposed legislative overhauls to the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA).
The senator stressed that with Filipino families continuously grappling with high inflation and the rising costs of food and basic necessities, every peso chopped from utility bills provides critical financial relief.
“Umaasa tayo na ang pangakong mapagaan ang singil sa kuryente ay hindi mauuwi lamang sa pangako. Ang mahalaga ay maramdaman ng bawat pamilyang Pilipino ang tunay na ginhawa sa kanilang buwanang bayarin,” Go said. “Sa panahon ngayon, malaking bagay na ang bawat pisong matitipid ng ating mga kababayan. Kaya dapat siguraduhin nating ang bawat repormang isinusulong ay may tunay na epekto sa kanilang pamumuhay.”
Go emphasized that legislative measures aimed at reducing power rates deserve full support, provided they undergo thorough deliberation to ensure sustainability, transparency, and accountability across the sector.
The push for legislative action follows President Marcos’ call during his SONA for Congress to amend the EPIRA to prohibit distribution utilities from passing system losses and their associated value-added tax (VAT) on to consumers.
While welcoming the President’s policy direction, Go acknowledged the technical and operational concerns raised by power sector players.
In a response, Manila Electric Company (MERALCO) executive vice president Ronnie Aperocho noted that while the utility respects the administration’s goals, a baseline level of technical system loss remains an inherent physical reality in operating a power grid.
“While distribution utilities like MERALCO continue to invest in modernizing and upgrading facilities and deploying technologies that reduce system losses, a certain level of technical losses remains inherent in operating an electric distribution system,” Aperocho stated.
Addressing these technical realities, Go urged Senate and House committees to conduct inclusive public consultations with distribution utilities, electric cooperatives, consumer advocate groups, and energy experts.
“Makikinig tayo sa lahat ng panig. Ngunit sa huli, ang dapat manaig ay ang kapakanan ng ordinaryong Pilipino. Ang layunin natin ay magkaroon ng maayos, maaasahan, at abot-kayang serbisyo ng kuryente,” Go added.
He concluded that the ultimate benchmark of the proposed amendments will not be legislative rhetoric, but whether household electricity charges noticeably decrease.
