Bong Go hopes lower electricity costs will not remain a mere promise, urges swift EPIRA reforms

Bong Go hopes lower electricity costs will not remain a mere promise, urges swift EPIRA reforms LegislativeBranch

Proposed reforms in the power sector must translate into tangible savings for ordinary households and not remain mere promises, particularly as Filipino families continue to grapple with the rising cost of basic necessities.

Senator Christopher “Bong” Go expressed hope that the government’s plan to lower electricity costs would provide genuine relief to consumers, urging Congress and concerned agencies to act swiftly on the proposed reforms.

“Umaasa tayo na ang pangakong mapagaan ang singil sa kuryente ay hindi mauuwi lamang sa pangako. Ang mahalaga ay maramdaman ng bawat pamilyang Pilipino ang tunay na ginhawa sa kanilang buwanang bayarin,” Go said.

According to the senator, every peso saved on electricity expenses can help families cope with the rising cost of food and other daily necessities.

“Sa panahon ngayon, malaking bagay na ang bawat pisong matitipid ng ating mga kababayan. Kaya dapat siguraduhin nating ang bawat repormang isinusulong ay may tunay na epekto sa kanilang pamumuhay,” he added.

Go emphasized that proposals to reduce electricity charges deserve support and must undergo careful legislative deliberation to ensure that the resulting reforms are consumer-oriented and sustainable.

The senator likewise underscored the need for greater transparency and accountability in the country’s power sector to ensure that consumers are charged only for costs that are fair, reasonable, and necessary.

His statement came after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., during his fifth State of the Nation Address on July 27, called on Congress to amend the Electric Power Industry Reform Act to prohibit electricity system losses, including the corresponding value-added tax, from being passed on to consumers. Time& Calendars

Go welcomed the President’s policy direction, saying it reflects the long-standing clamor of many Filipinos for lower electricity rates.

At the same time, the senator acknowledged concerns raised by stakeholders in the power industry. The Manila Electric Company (MERALCO), through its Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Ronnie Aperocho, said it respects the President's proposal but noted that a certain level of technical system loss is unavoidable in the operation of electric distribution systems. According to the utility, despite continued investments in modernizing infrastructure and deploying technologies that reduce system losses, some technical losses remain inherent in the delivery of electricity.

“While distribution utilities like MERALCO continue to invest in modernizing and upgrading facilities and deploying technologies that reduce system losses, a certain level of technical losses remains inherent in operating an electric distribution system,” Aperocho said in an interview on July 28. Time& Calendars

In light of these concerns, Go then said Congress should thoroughly study the proposal and consult distribution utilities, consumer groups, and energy experts to craft reforms that are technically sound and responsive to consumers’ needs.

“Makikinig tayo sa lahat ng panig. Ngunit sa huli, ang dapat manaig ay ang kapakanan ng ordinaryong Pilipino. Ang layunin natin ay magkaroon ng maayos, maaasahan, at abot-kayang serbisyo ng kuryente,” Go said.

The senator stressed that the true measure of the proposed reforms would be whether Filipino families eventually see meaningful reductions in their electricity bills.

“Ang sukatan ng tagumpay ay hindi kung gaano kaganda ang sinabi, kundi kung talagang bumababa ang singil sa kuryente ng ating mga kababayan. Iyon ang dapat nating tutukan,” Go concluded.