MANILA – A House of Representatives panel was asked Wednesday to investigate the power crisis now brewing in Palawan and seek relief for its citizens amid the skyrocketing prices of electricity in the province.
House Resolution No. 1544, introduced by Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez and Palawan Reps. Jose C. Alvarez (2nd District) and Edgardo L. Salvame (1srt District), direct the House Committee on Energy to conduct an inquiry, in aid of legislation, on the situation of the Palawan Electric Cooperative (PALECO) and the electricity supply in the province.
“It has always been the responsibility of the State to provide the people with reliable, secure and affordable power sources. And what is happening in Palawan involving high power rates, low energization levels and inefficient power distribution, Congress needs to intervene,” Romualdez said in a statement.
“The dire situation in Palawan dampens our enthusiasm over the directives of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to provide the people with low power rates and increase energization targets nationwide by 95 percent in 2025. I hope that with this probe, we can find a solution for all stakeholders in Palawan, especially our citizens,” he added.
Romualdez, who assumed the role of caretaker of the 3rd legislative district following the death of former Rep. Edward Hagedorn in October last year, said the probe is expected to look into the circumstances behind the power rate hikes that began in November last year.
According to PALECO, the rate hikes were due to the removal of a national subsidy on the electricity produced by one of its main suppliers, Delta P Inc., under an emergency power supply agreement (EPSA).
The Department of Energy (DOE), through Circular 2023-06-0021, has said the EPSA between PALECO and Delta shall not be entitled to any subsidy.
Romualdez said all of these contentions will be clarified once the Committee on Energy commences its hearings on the resolution.
“What is important is we address all matters at the soonest possible time to unburden Palaweños of the power woes of PALECO. Hindi po nila ito kasalanan pero sila po ang nagdudusa sa malaking binabayaran sa kuryente (It is not their fault, but they are the ones suffering from paying high electricity rates),” Romualdez said.
As for PALECO, he said the House of Representatives will do everything in its power to assist the cooperative in its current situation.
The electric cooperative has the lowest collection efficiency (91 percent) and the highest non-momentary power interruptions in all of Region 4-B (Mimaropa) during the second quarter of 2023.
PALECO was also assessed by the National Electrification Administration (NEA) to have the lowest energization level at 73.67 percent in Mimaropa, contrary to President Marcos’ directive for increased energization of 95 percent nationwide by 2025.
“We will also look for ways to help PALECO address its shortcomings and reduce its deficiencies. The sooner we resolve its problems, the sooner we get Palaweños out of this dire situation. As I have said, we aim to help all stakeholders in Palawan, and that includes PALECO,” Romualdez said. (PNA)
