Consumers call for protection from high power rates in Energy Transition Bill

 

Wazzup Pilipinas!? 

Metro Manila (February 13) – Electricity consumers on Thursday urged the House Committee on Energy to ensure that their rights will be protected in the country’s transition to clean energy sources. 

During the Technical Working Group (TWG) meeting on House Bill 4299 or the Energy Transition Bill, electricity consumer welfare group Kuryente.org strongly proposed that the bill's Declaration of Policy explicitly include the protection of consumers from any adverse effects of the transition, such as increases in electricity prices. 

“As we recall, ordinary consumers have no protection from market events that cause price hikes, such as foreign exchange fluctuations, wars, and other external factors,” says Kuryente.org National Coordinator Bas Umali. “Even before the just energy transition became  national discourse, consumers in our country had been suffering for decades from high electricity prices and the constant fear of supply shortages.”

The objective of the proposed law is to lay down policies for implementing the transition from fossil fuels to clean energy sources as well as to ensure that the process is just, meaning small sectors will have their interests protected. 

Umali says the protection of consumers from fluctuating prices is a must, since, despite the country already having one of the highest power rates in Southeast Asia, it continues to experience consistent increases in power bills. 

The latest price increase was announced for the month of February due to the cost of transmission and the Universal Charge for Missionary Electrification. The Energy Regulatory Commission also allowed additional charges such as the Green Energy Auction allowance (GEA-ALL).

Kuryente.org requested the Committee and TWG members to craft specific provisions detailing exactly how consumers will be protected in relation to these issues.

The group also proposed that Republic Act 7394, or the Consumer Act of the Philippines, be included as a reference in the bill, particularly in institutionalizing consumer participation in the development of plans and consultations.

“The government should begin with this data in crafting whatever legislation it intends to pass,” says Umali. “Although the measure is still at the TWG level, we hope that the consumers’ strategic interests will be accommodated.”

About "WazzupPilipinas.com"

WazzupPilipinas.com is the fastest growing and most awarded blog and social media community that has transcended beyond online media. It has successfully collaborated with all forms of media namely print, radio and television making it the most diverse multimedia organization. The numerous collaborations with hundreds of brands and organizations as online media partner and brand ambassador makes WazzupPilipinas.com a truly successful advocate of everything about the Philippines, and even more since its support extends further to even international organizations including startups and SMEs that have made our country their second home.