Consumers lament lack of plan for power sector

MANILA, Philippines — Various consumer groups have expressed dissatisfaction over the lack of concrete plans for the sector.

The Power for People Coalition (P4P) has been advocating for relief and reform programs as well as renewable energy development to aid the people’s recovery from the coronavirus crisis and transform the power sector for the better.

“We are disappointed that the President did not reaffirm his directive to the Department of Energy to reduce the country’s reliance on coal. There was no mention of a sanction on Secretary Al Cusi, whose ‘technology neutral’ approach was as an act of brazen disobedience to a direct presidential order,” P4P convenor Gerry Arances said.

This was the same sentiment aired by think tank Center for Energy, Ecology, and Development (CEED).

CEED said  President Duterte  did not reaffirm his directive to the DOE to expedite the expansion of renewable energy in the country, a directive which rang hollow as the department instead opted for its “technology neutral” approach.

“The President seemed content with his motherhood statement, but environmentalists and renewable energy advocates would not be satisfied. They were looking for reassurance that Duterte is still on the side of the environment through a reaffirmation of his directive to Cusi in the previous SONA, as well as a declaration of support for coal divestment. There was no concrete discussion on that matter,” said CEED research, policy, and law program head Avril de Torres.

“Power consumers all over the country are certainly dissatisfied that, while the President did warn private electricity providers to serve end-users better, no satisfactory resolution was provided,” Arances said.

While P4P commended the President’s recognition of solar energy as a viable method of powering Last Mile schools, the group reiterated that solar and other forms of renewable energy provide the same kind of electricity produced by coal which we can power factories, homes, and offices even in major cities.

“The difference is that renewable energy also empowers consumers because it can reduce their dependence on the monopolistic grid, helps protect the environment, and costs less. In recognizing the power of renewable energy to deliver power where coal-based power can’t, we cannot understand why the President cannot make the logical conclusion that renewable energy can do more than coal to benefit the country’s recovery from COVID-19,” Arances said.

With only two years left in his term, P4P said President Duterte should not be dallying with urgent power sector reforms and the transition to sustainable sources.

During his state of the nation address, Duterte asserted  that the transmission facilities belong to the government.