Murang Kuryente on Friday announced its support for a more proactive role by the government in the power sector, in response to measures recently revealed by various proponents.
In particular, the consumer advocacy group agreed with proposals to create a Mindanao Power Corporation (Minpocor) centered around the Agus-Pulangi power system as a way for the government to help solve the power crisis, even as may run afoul of the Electric Power Industry Reform Act, or EPIRA.
“The creation of a Minpocor will bring the government back to where it belongs – providing affordable and reliable power to the people as is their right. If EPIRA blocks this, then it is this law which should be reviewed and amended rather than the other way around. Our laws must follow our principles,” said Murang Kuryente spokesperson Gerry Arances.
Murang Kuryente has been consistent critic of EPIRA, as the law effectively gave the policymaking and price-setting powers over electricity to the private sector, providing incentives for collusion and cartel-like behavior for energy companies.
Arances asked Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, chair of the Senate energy committee, to help rehabilitate the Agus complex with 728 MW (megawatts) of installed capacity, and the Pulangi complex with 255 MW of installed capacity, instead of letting the government sell the two facilities to private interests. (PR)
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