Lapu-Lapu Lone District Rep. Junard “Ahong” Chan is calling for immediate measures to address recurring brownouts and high electricity bills in the Visayas, saying consumers cannot afford to wait until 2031 for a stable power supply.
Chan made the call during the House Committee on Energy joint congressional public hearing on the Visayas power crisis on Oct. 3, where lawmakers, energy agencies and industry stakeholders discussed measures to address the region’s power supply problems.
He said he was disappointed by responses from the Department of Energy (DOE), Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) and National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), particularly the projection that adequate and stable power supply could take until 2031.
“Medyo dismayado kaayu ta sa ilang tubag kay 2031 pa daw ta makakuha og sakto o stable nga supply sa kuryente which is dugay2 pa ta mag-antos sa rotational brownout ug taas nga bayrunon sa kuryente,” Chan said in an ambush interview after the hearing.
Chan said consumers would continue to bear the effects of power interruptions and high electricity costs if authorities do not implement measures sooner.
He said he planned to file another measure in Congress on Monday, Oct. 5, to push for action on the power crisis.
“Maong sa Lunes, mopasar na sab ta og laing balaudnon mahitungod niini kay nagdagan ang adlaw ug layo pa intawn kaayo ang 2031 kung di ni mahatagan og kasulbaran,” he said.
Chan also rejected waiting until the end of the year for relief, saying consumers had already endured recurring brownouts and expensive electricity bills.
“Dili na nato paabuton og Disyembre,” Chan said.
Among the immediate options discussed during the hearing was the deployment of power barges to areas that need additional generation capacity, along with solar power paired with battery storage.
Chan said he supports these options, subject to technical, feasibility and affordability assessments.
He said there is already an expression of interest in his district for the deployment of power barges capable of providing up to 200 megawatts.
Chan urged concerned agencies to evaluate the proposal and coordinate on its possible implementation to make additional generating capacity available as soon as possible.
He also called for the restoration of unavailable generating capacity, resolution of transmission constraints and measures to secure more reliable and affordable electricity.
Chan said electricity bills should also be reviewed, including system loss and other charges, to determine which costs may legally be reduced or removed.
He further called for a written action plan identifying specific responsibilities and deadlines for reducing power interruptions and electricity costs.
Congress, he said, is ready to support measures that could provide immediate relief to consumers.
“Magtinabangay ta. Ang kinahanglan sa katawhang Bisaya, labi na ang mga Sugboanon, mao ang kasaligang supply sa kuryente ug bayranan nga kaya nilang mabayaran sa labing daling panahon,” Chan said.
With the Christmas season approaching, Chan warned that continued high electricity bills could reduce the money families have available for holiday expenses.
“Dili na nato paabuton og Disyembre. Aron makahatag ug kahupay kay basin ang Christmas bonus sa atong mga kaigsuonan, imbis para sa pamilya, para sa Noche Buena, ug para sa mga regalo sa ilang mga anak, adto na nuon padulong sa bayranan sa kuryente,” he said.
Chan said reliable electricity and more affordable power bills should instead be the Christmas gift to families across the Visayas.
“Ang kasaligang kuryente ug mas gaan nga bayranan, mao unta kini ang atong pinaskuhan sa atong mga kaigsuonan nga Bisaya,” he said.
Photo courtesy of Rappler
Comments