Power crisis resolution seen approved by House this week

Business World Online
Posted on December 07, 2014 10:47:00 PM

THE JOINT resolution which lays out the options for government in dealing with next year’s power crisis is expected to be approved by the House of Representatives within the week, the chairman of the energy committee said.

“There are just three interpellators left, so I expect approval by Monday or Tuesday,” House energy committee chairman Rep. Reynaldo V. Umali (Oriental Mindoro, 2nd district), said in a text message Friday.

Plenary discussions on the House Joint Resolution (HJR) 21 started Tuesday last week, when party-list lawmakers Bayan Muna Rep. Neri J. Colmenares, Abakada Rep. Jonathan A. Dela Cruz, Akbayan Rep. Walden F. Bello, and ACT Teachers Rep. Antonio L. Tinio questioned the validity of the energy department’s forecast of a March-to-July 2015 power shortage in Luzon.

HJR 21 names the Interruptible Load Program (ILP), the fast-tracking of committed power projects and of plants for interconnection, and energy conservation measures as the options that can be pursued by government to add to the power reserves during next year’s dry season.

The measure assumes a maximum 1,004-megawatt (MW) shortage, and factors in the need for a 600-MW required contingency reserve and a 404-MW required dispatchable reserve. This is to cover for four weeks of so-called “yellow alert,” a power supply status warning that indicates the possibility of rotating brownouts.

Last week, President Benigno S. C. Aquino III certified the measure as urgent, opening the door for both chambers of Congress to fast-track its approval.

Speaker Feliciano R. Belmonte, Jr. earlier said that he hopes to obtain third-reading approval at the House this month, just before the chamber takes a holiday break starting Dec. 20.

Asked about the progress of deliberations on the measure, Mr. Belmonte expressed confidence anew, saying: “We think it can be done before then.”

After House approval, the proposal will then be transmitted to the Senate for a new round of talks and subsequent approval before it is deemed to take effect.

The additional authority to be given to the President will last until July 31, 2015, the measure states. -- Melissa Luz T. Lopez source