Palace asked to convene Ledac on looming power, fuel woes

business mirror

TUESDAY, 12 APRIL 2011 20:43 BUTCH FERNANDEZ / REPORTER

MALACAÑANG is being asked to convene the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (Ledac) to help firm up government plans to further mitigate the impact of a looming power and oil-supply problem.

Sen. Gregorio Honasan, former chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy, said concerned government authorities ought to have determined by now if the country is assured of a steady supply of electricity, diesel and gasoline.

“If the answer is no, we have a big problem. If yes, the next question is: Can we provide the majority of our people with this steady supply of energy at reasonable prices? If not, why? We are not solving the problem,” he said.

In a radio interview, Honasan suggested that President Aquino should seriously consider calling another meeting of the Ledac to tackle the problem. “Panahon na para ipatawag ang Ledac para pag-usapan at pag-aralan ito; pag-planuhan kung papano ma-mitigate ang impact ng lalo pang tumitinding problema sa langis.”

Honasan added: “To me, we have an impending emergency. [The] Neda [National Economic and Development Authority] is supposed to have the relevant information…kapag walang petroleum, epekto niyan sa lahat, karne, bigas, transportation; kung ang projection is tataas ang presyo, sa akin, potential problem din ito.”

He pointed out that the Neda, which is chaired by no less than the President, should also be heard. “Dapat ang input ng Neda pinakikinggan para coordinated at consolidated ang areas of responsibility of all concerned departments.”

Honasan recalled that during his stint as chairman of the Committee on Energy, the senators already called the attention of Department of Energy officials and other related agencies on the potential fuel-
and-power-supply problems arising from recent developments abroad.

“When the conflicts in Egypt and Yemen first cropped up, senators already alerted these departments to closely monitor what is happening in the Middle East and North Africa,” Honasan said. “We advised them to vigilantly observe developments [in these oil producing regions] because we need to know in advance so we could project and address what its possible effects would be.”