Philippine Senators Call for Investigation into Unexplained Power Outages

Philippine senators are intensifying their demands for a thorough investigation and potential penalties regarding the recurrent power outages affecting various regions of the country. The National Grid Corp. of the Philippines has issued red and yellow alerts for Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, indicating a critical shortage in the power supply.

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian expressed his concerns, especially surprised by the yellow alert in Mindanao despite its historically excess capacity. With the demand for electricity expected to rise by 3% to 5% in May, Gatchalian anticipates further disruptions unless corrective actions are taken. He has called on the Department of Energy (DOE) to probe the numerous forced outages at power plants and the adequacy of reserves that should have been contracted by the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines.

Moreover, Gatchalian is pushing for a Senate inquiry into the government’s response to these energy shortages, especially in light of the ongoing El Niño phenomenon, which is exacerbating the situation.

Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero has urged the DOE and the Energy Regulatory Commission to enforce stricter compliance by generation companies with their operational schedules. Escudero emphasized that these companies must be held accountable for any disruptions caused by negligence or incompetence, highlighting the importance of reliability in the power sector.

Opposition Senator Risa Hontiveros also joined the call for accountability, demanding explanations for the ongoing rotational brownouts and escalating electricity bills that burden consumers.

These developments have prompted a collective call from various senators for increased regulatory oversight and stringent measures against power sector inefficiencies. The Senate’s actions aim to ensure a stable and reliable power supply amidst the growing energy demands and environmental challenges facing the Philippines.