PNoy’s emergency powers not needed—Energy Watch

President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his 5th State of the Nation Address (SONA) during the Joint Session of the 16th Congress at the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City on Monday (July 28, 2014). The SONA delivered by the President is a yearly tradition wherein the Chief Executive reports on the status of the country, unveils the government’s agenda for the coming year, and may also propose to Congress certain legislative measures. (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacanang Photo Bureau)

MANILA – Instead of declaring a state of emergency in the power sector, the government is urged to implement solutions that will address the looming power shortage.

Government Watch led by industrialist Raul Concepcion said that instead of invoking Section 71 of the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 (EPIRA) the government may look at other solutions to solve the power crisis.

He added that the government may conduct a conduct “full and accurate auditing of existing power plants, carefully manage the scheduling of maintenance shutdown so that overlaps are avoided, conduct inspections to see if these plants are being properly maintained and impose heavy penalties on violators.”

Concepcion’s group also noted that sourcing of power at contract cost regardless of source should be required from power generators who exceed their outage allowances.

This, according to them, must be done instead of passing higher cost from the country’s trading floor for electricity, Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM).

“In the midst of a looming power shortage in 2015, Gov’t Watch appeals for sobriety. While the threat is real, there are solutions, many of which do not involve granting the President emergency powers,” they added.

The statement was made following Energy Secretary Carlos Jericho Petilla’s proposal of invoking the section which will allow the president to use his emergency powers in addressing the issue.