DOE asked to justify need to rush emergency power bill

MANILA, Philippines - Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. said yesterday the Department of Energy (DOE) should give good reasons to the House of Representatives why it should rush the passage of the resolution granting President Aquino emergency powers to address what energy officials claim will be a power crisis this summer.

Belmonte issued the statement as Congress adjourns for a two-week break without approving the proposed joint resolution granting Aquino authority to contract additional generating capacity without passing through the usual bidding procedures.

Some weeks back, the House energy committee, chaired by Oriental Mindoro Rep. Reynaldo Umali, was ready to approve the resolution as drafted by Malacañang after Energy Secretary Jericho Petilla had repeatedly warned of a severe power crisis in Luzon this summer.

Petilla had insisted that Congress allow the leasing of expensive power barges that could cost as much as P12 billion for use a few hours a week over a four-month period.

However, as the panel held technical working group meetings and its first public hearing last week, DOE officials admitted that there was no looming power shortage but only the expectation of thin reserves.

Belmonte said the House could still expedite the granting of emergency powers to Aquino provided the DOE could justify its urgency.

“Once the need (for immediate granting of emergency powers) is substantiated, I would have no objection. But this has not been done so far,” he said.

Umali vowed to immediately approve the committee report for emergency powers when Congress resumes session on Nov. 17, but noted the leasing of power barges would not be written in the document as an option for Malacañang.

“We can’t approve it (emergency powers) before we adjourn this week, but this is our priority when we resume our work on Nov. 17. After approving the committee report, we will immediately pass the emergency powers in a matter of a week or two weeks in the plenary,” Umali said.