Independent body seeks more time to review oil lib law

An independent committee formed to review the downstream oil deregulation law is seeking at least two more weeks to submit its draft report.

The committee was scheduled to submit its report by the end of July.

Energy Secretary Raphael P.M. Lotilla said over the weekend that the draft committee report could only be submitted within the next few weeks which in turn will be submitted to the Department of Energy (DOE) for review by July.

"We hope to receive that report at the end of this month. Originally, the committee was given 90 days to finish its work, but it had to wait for the appointment of its members," Lotilla said.

The independent review panel is headed by Carlos Alindada, former commissioner of the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) and also former chairman of SGV. The members are Peter Lee Yu, dean of the College of Economics of the University of Asia and the Pacific; Alberto Suansing, secretary general of the Confederation of Land Transportation Organization of the Philippines; Merceditas Garcia, president of the Petroleum Dealers Association of the Philippines; and Joey Leviste, former executive director of the then Petroleum Board.

Last May 1, President Arroyo appointed an additional member coming from the labor sector.

"So with the completion of the public hearing and consultation it conducted early this month, it has asked for time to fully deliberate the recommendations and to finalize them, so that afterwards we can release this for public discussion," the energy secretary lamented.

Cedric R. Bagtas, an expert in labor issues and management was named the latest member of the independent panel tasked to review Republic Act (RA) 8479 or the Downstream Oil Industry Deregulation Law.

"Bagtas will surely contribute in the review of the law especially on the aspect that would balance the interest of ordinary laborers and employers," Lotilla said.

Based on data furnished by the energy department, Bagtas was involved with the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) in 1976. While serving the TUCP, he was also appointed as member, director and consultants of various organizations and agencies including the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA), International Labor Organization (ILO), National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC), Philippine Quality and Productivity Commission (PQPM) and Congressional Commission on Education representing labor. Presently he holds the position of Deputy General Secretary of the TUCP overseeing its day-to-day program operations.