Ahong pushes quick power fixes

CEBU, Philippines — Lapu-Lapu Lone District Representative Junard “Ahong” Chan called 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 Committee on Energy joint congressional public hearing on the Visayas power crisis, where energy agencies, industry stakeholders, and lawmakers discussed measures to stabilize the region’s power supply.

Chan said he was disappointed with the responses from the Department of Energy (DOE), Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), and National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), particularly over the projection that a stable power supply could only be achieved by 2031.

He said such a timeline would mean consumers would continue to endure rotational brownouts and high electricity bills for years.

Chan said consumers are the ones bearing the brunt of the power crisis and that he did not see enough urgency from the concerned agencies in addressing the problem.

Urgency on power stability

In an interview following the hearing, Chan said he was dismayed by the agencies’ responses, particularly the projected 2031 timeline for an adequate and stable electricity supply.

"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," he said.

He said the timeline was difficult to accept given the continuing impact of power interruptions and high electricity costs on consumers.

Chan said he plans to file another measure in Congress on Monday, October 5, 2026, 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,” Chan said.

Push for immediate power solutions

During the hearing, Chan said that while the power supply situation was earlier expected to stabilize next year, consumers in Cebu could not afford to wait for relief from recurring brownouts and high electricity bills.

“Dili na nato paabuton og Disyembre,” Chan said, urging authorities to act sooner.

Among the immediate solutions discussed during the forum was the possible deployment of power barges to areas needing additional supply, as well as solar power with battery storage.

Chan said he supports these proposals, 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 and coordinate on the proposal so that additional power could be made available as soon as possible.

Aside from adding supply, Chan called for the restoration of unavailable generating capacity, addressing transmission constraints, and securing reliable and lower-cost electricity.

He also supported a review of system loss and other components of electricity bills to determine which charges could legally be reduced or removed.

Chan further called for a written action plan identifying specific responsibilities and deadlines for reducing brownouts and electricity costs.

He said Congress 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 Christmas approaching, Chan warned that families could end up using their Christmas bonuses to pay electricity bills instead of spending the money on their families.

“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,” Chan said.

He said reliable electricity and more affordable power bills should instead be the Christmas gift to families in the Visayas.

“Ang kasaligang kuryente ug mas gaan nga bayranan, mao unta kini ang atong pinaskuhan sa atong mga kaigsuonan nga Bisaya,” he said. — /IHM (FREEMAN)