MANILA (Mindanao Examiner / July 27, 2014) – President Benigno Aquino has ordered the Department of Energy to review the projected demand and supply of electricity on the island of Luzon for 2015, as well as all available options to deal with a possible power shortfall in the summer months, a government spokesman Herminio Coloma said.
“Ongoing pa iyong pag-aaral at ilalahad ang pagpapasya ng Pangulo kapag nakumpleto na ang pag-aaral na hiningi niya hinggil dito,” he said.
The DOE has previously warned of a power shortage as the demand for electricity increases during summer and suggested that Aquino be granted emergency powers to deal with the impending crisis.
But Coloma assured that the government would not pass on to consumers the costs of increasing next year’s power supply.
“Siya (Energy Secretary Jericho Petilla) na mismo ang nagsasabi na base sa kanyang simulations, hindi naman ito inaasahang hahantong sa mas mataas na pagsingil,” he said.
“Ibang iba naman ang sitwasyon noon dahil mas malawak at malalim ang kakulangan noong panahong iyon. Ngayon naman ay limited extent and limited duration lamang ang ina-address ni Secretary Petilla,” he added.
Coloma said that the government will ensure a stable power supply at reasonable rates for next year. “Sa lahat ng pagkakataon, ang isasaalang-alang ng pamahalaan ay ang kapakanan ng mga mamamayan at ang hindi pagpataw ng dagdag na pabigat sa kanila dahil dito,” he said.
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