By Joann Santiago
MANILA, Dec 3 (PNA) – – Malacanang has asked for additional authority under the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) to cushion the impact of the possible power crisis in 2015 on the people and the whole economy.
Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda, in a briefing Wednesday, said the government is considering all options to prevent the looming power crisis from happening in the summer of 2015.
“So, we’re looking at all these measures to avert a situation that will inconvenience our citizens but will also affect the economy,” he said.
The Department of Energy (DOE) earlier warned of this situation due to combination of factors such as the normal spike of electricity demand during the summer months and the 30-day maintenance shutdown of the Malampaya platform from 12:01 a.m. of March 15 to 11:59 p.m. of April 13.
In a letter to House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. dated Nov. 27, 2014, President Benigno Aquino III urged lawmakers for the passage of a joint resolution since it is eyed to “resolve this emergency through the expeditious acquisition of additional power generating capacities.”
“A critical energy situation will pose a tangible threat to the country’s developing economy and will hinder the delivery of basic services to the detriment of the general welfare of the people,” President Aquino said.
Lacierda also said that necessary check-and-balance are in place to assess all factors involved in this situation. (PNA)