Energy secretary Angelo Reyes said that government expects the arrival of fresh imported LPG stocks by next week. These stocks would solve the present LPG crisis not just in Metro Manila, he says, but nationwide. This departs from his earlier pronouncements, especially last December that there was no shortage of stocks.
What this shows is the lack of a STRATEGIC energy plan. A contingency plan could have prevented and saved everybody from this deplorable situation.
Another whammy is the expected rise of electricity rates. Yesterday, the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) just allowed the National Power Corporation (NPC) to raise its electricity prices to about 20 cents. It translates to an increase of 10 pesos for those who consume 100 kilowatt hours worth of electricity and 20 pesos for those 200 kwt and up for residential Meralco consumers. Some sectors lambasted the NPC for doing this, saying that why pass the buck to consumers when NPC is to blame for purchasing expensive coal in the first place.
An impending whammy---oil is starting to rise up again. Production is trying to pick up in China and other places. There is a possibility of rationing oil stocks since problems of resource have been identified by the OPEC.
BY the way, I hope Energy Secretary Reyes is reading this--a source told NPR that Mrs. Arroyo is slowly losing her trust to this dependable double kara of a secretary. Reyes, next on the chopping block?
Philippines has the World's second largest Geothermal Power capacity. It's electricity should be Asia's cheapest. But it's not. The Philippine government should take another look at the EPIRA law and its implementation. And find out why it failed to reform the electric power industry. Replacing top government officials may not be the only solution.
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