MANILA, Philippines – Nagpahayag ng pangamba si Senador Risa Hontiveros nitong Lunes, Pebrero 5 sa pinakabagong proposal na isama ang third party sa konstruksyon ng transmission projects sa energy sector.
Sa press statement, sinabi ni Hontiveros na posibleng dala-dala ng third party ang personal na interes sa halip na kapakanan ng publiko.
“Previous Senate investigations found no compelling reasons for third-party involvement, and the Executive’s proposition raises further questions. Kung hirap ang [Energy Regulatory Commission] at [Department of Energy] ngayon na i-regulate o pasunurin ang National Grid Corporation of the Philippines, mas gagaan at huhusay kaya ang sistema kung bubuksan ito sa third parties?” aniya.
“[T]he call for third-party developers is painful evidence of the failed privatization of the transmission sector and the NGCP experiment,” dagdag ni Hontiveros.
Sinabi pa ng senador na ang pagpapakilala ng third parties ay posibleng pumabor lamang sa iilang grupo.
Maaalalang inatasan ni Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ang DOE at ERC na pag-aralan ang rekomendasyon na payagan ang third party sa transmision projects sa energy sector.
“I have directed the ERC to complete the reset of NGCP’s rate without further delay,” Marcos had said.
“I have also directed the Department of Energy and the ERC to look into the proposal of allowing third parties to construct transmission projects at the pace required by the country’s power needs as we grow out of the pandemic economy,” dagdag niya.
Ayon sa senador, ang pamahalaan ay mas ‘equipped’ para makakuha ng right-of-way, paglalaan ng pondo sa property ownership, at pagsasaprayoridad ng kapakanan ng publiko na nakasalik sa public accountability.
Pagpapatuloy, sinabi ni Hontiveros na hindi epektibong matutugunan ng third-party transmission developers ang kasalukuyang mga isyu sa NGCP.
“The modernization of our national transmission power grid is primarily anchored on public service and ensuring public welfare, not business interest,” ani Hontiveros.
“Failed privatization policy in our power grid combined with very weak regulation will be a regular challenge in achieving an affordable and continuous electricity supply for every Filipino household.” RNT/JGC
