Power Watch Negros supports the call of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to amend the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA).
They join the call to overhaul the EPIRA law because it is a “failed policy”, Power Watch Secretary-General Wennie Sancho said on Tuesday, July 30.
“It is time to conduct a comprehensive assessment of its failure to meet the promised objectives”, Sancho said.
“An amendment should come up with solutions that will hopefully put an end to the yearly power outages and the many ailments of the power industry”, he added.
Sancho said without efficient regulators, strict accountability mechanisms for inefficiency and abusive behaviors, and strong limitations on concentration and cross-ownership, it is impossible for EPIRA to bring about greater efficiency and better services for consumers.
Power Watch urged Congress to amend the law and implement reforms in the improvement of the management of electric communication lines to address issues on safety.
Sancho also said that with the proposal to amend EPIRA, they are suggesting a ban on cross-ownership on distribution utilities and power generation plants.
Retiring of unreliable and obsolete coal plants were also suggested by the group, especially those that experience recurring outages, Sancho added.*