Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 18) — Giving the President the power to declare an energy crisis when energy supply is in critically low levels is a “cop-out” and will not address the root cause of the power crisis, a coalition criticized the Department of Energy (DOE) on Wednesday.
In a statement, the Power for People Coalition (P4P) slammed the department’s proposal to amend the Electric Power Crisis Act of 1993 to include granting the President “emergency powers” amid a power crisis a suggestion that came after a series of blackouts plagued areas in Luzon this month.
The proposed measures include a provision giving President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and chief executives after him, authority to approve “temporary measures” to resolve surcharges in electricity prices.
\”Emergency powers are a cop-out. Even if used properly, it does not address the root causes of our annual power crisis. And so far, our history shows that the use of emergency powers just forces consumers to swallow higher electricity prices or lose electricity,\” said Gerry Arances, P4P convenor.
According to the group, problems surrounding the power sector stem from \”the perennial yet barely penalized\” shutdown of coal and fossil fuel power plants. Other issues cited include the outdatedness of the grid and reliance on imported fuel supply.
\”It makes more sense for the government to confront these. Emergency powers are not necessary because we should not be having power crises in the first place,\” the convenor said.
P4P urged the government to instead prioritize the development of indigenous renewable energy sources which promote energy security.
