Puno welcomes layoff moratorium

Anticipating potential benefits for the masses, former Press Secretary and Presidential Spokesman Ricardo "Dong" Puno Jr. welcomed the other day two significant developments in the labor and power sectors tha would benefit ordinary Filipinos long reeling from high electricity rates and shortage of jobs.

Puno, one of the Laban senatorial frontrunners, lauded a pledge by some 340 employers to observe a moratorium on laying off personnel while the government is trying to improve the employment situation.

"It is my hope," he said, "that such government moves as expansion of the welfare protection to the informal sector and holding job fairs would open more employment opportunities and fringe benefits for the people."

Meanwhile, Puno hailed plans by the National Power Corporation (Napocor) and the Philippine Independent Power Producers Association (PIPPA) to conduct a "constructive review" of existing contracts of these independent power producers (IPPs).

Puno, a former corporate executive, said that while the review aims to reduce Napocor’s projected cash deficit this year, the government-owned corporation should also make sure that such a move would enable consumers to have access to lower power rates.

A prominent lawyer and multi-awarded host of TV public affairs programs (Viewpoint and Dong Puno Live), Puno said consumers already bear the burden of Napocor’s debts by being charged for "stranded costs," which include the fees charged by IPPs for power that they produce but are not used by the Napocor or consumers.