Aquino assures emergency powers won't be abused

MANILA, Philippines - President Benigno Aquino III assured on Tuesday that the emergency powers he is seeking from Congress to prevent a looming energy crisis will not be abused.

Speaking at the Energy Smart Philippines 2014 in Pasay City, Aquino said he asked Congress for a joint resolution authorizing the national government to contract additional generating capacity to ensure that the economy will remain strong during a power crisis.

"I am aware that investors in the energy sector are worried about these measures distorting the market, but let me assure you: government intervention is meant only to address the shortage. The sole goal of this initiative is to make sure our economy does not lose its momentum in the event of an energy shortage," Aquino said.

Two weeks ago, Aquino formally asked Congress for authority to establish additional generating capacity to address the 300-megawatt (MW) projected deficit for the summer of 2015 in Luzon, and to generate another 300 MW in power reserves.

Aquino cited the projection of the Department of Energy of a "critical electricity situation" next year due to the expected effects of the El Nino phenomenon and the scheduled maintenance shutdown of the Malampaya natural gas facility, among other things.

He invoked Section 71 of Republic Act 9136 or the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001, which allows the government to contract additional generating capacity under terms and conditions to be approved by Congress.

The President had warned that the expected power shortage will threaten the country's economy.

Militant party-list representatives had warned that emergency powers for the President might entail "sweetheart deals, corruption, take or pay and high electricity rates."

Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares said these are among the anomalies that happened after Congress granted then President Ramos special powers to solve the energy crisis.

“The President asked for emergency powers just like Republic Act 7648 during Ramos’ time and the essence of this power is to ask Congress for authority to enter into negotiated contracts for additional generating capacity,” he said.

READ: P-Noy defends need for emergency powers

In his speech on Tuesday, Aquino also assured the private sector stakeholders that the government remains committed to its national renewable energy program, which aims to add 9,931 megawatts of renewable energy-based capacity by 2030.

"Our country’s goal for the energy sector has always been clear: we want reliable power, preferably clean and reasonably priced," Aquino said.

"As early as now, it is of absolute importance that we continue exploring and investing in clean and renewable energy sources," he added.