Two lawmakers, citing the possible shortage of electricity supply in Luzon and Mindanao in the summer of 2015, filed on Thursday a resolution seeking to grant the energy department the power and authority to take over or direct the operation of any privately owned public utility or business to protect public interest.
Resolution of Both Houses 2, authored by Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino Rep. Rufus Rodriguez of Cagayan de Oro and his brother Party-list Rep. Maximo Rodriguez Jr. of Abante Mindanao, said one possible solution to the crisis is for the government to invoke Article XII (National Economic and Patrimony), Section 17 of the 1987 Constitution and temporarily take over of privately owned public utility or business affected with public interest.
“In these case, there is a looming national emergency with the projected shortfall of energy supply which will negatively affect the country’s economy,” the resolution said.
It added, “With this national emergency, business establishment all over the country owning or having relatively large standby generations producing at least 1 megawattt [MW] in their offices or plants or self-generating facilities are now to be businesses affected with public interest.”
The lawmakers said by invoking Article XII of the Constitution, the State, through the secretary of the Department of Energy, can come in and temporarily operate these generators subject to the payment of proper compensation for the diesel fuel, rentals and the salaries of the operators of the generators.
“This temporary power given to the secretary of energy will last only from February to May 2015,” the resolution said.
It added that despite all the success and improvements that our country has achieved in the past four years, there is still a power crisis in Mindanao and another power crisis looming in Luzon in 2015.
The lawmakers said that at present, the supply of energy in Mindanao does not meet the electricity demand, which reaches 1,222 MW at its peak.
“The country is expected to experience another power crisis, this time in Luzon, by the first half of 2015,” the resolution added.
The energy department earlier said that the supply deficit for Luzon could reach up to 800 MW next year due to the onset of mild El Niño.
The lawmakers said that the mandate given to current leaders who advocated for change signifies renewed trust in the government and immense optimism in its ability and commitment to bring about improvement in the quality of life of Filipinos.
“The Constitution, as a covenant between the State and the people, vests on the government the duty to provide decent living conditions to its people,” they added.