Enrile says twin power reform measures very much alive

MANILA, Philippines - Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile said Senate Bills 3147 and 3148, or the Uniform Franchise Tax Act and the Electricity Rate Reduction Act, respectively, remain as priority legislative measures after last week’s Legislative-Executive Development Council (LEDAC) meeting.

Enrile debunked as inaccurate earlier news reports indicating that he has agreed defer the twin power reform bills he has authored.

“Nothing can be farther from the truth, I shall never agree to the deferment of these twin bills which I know are critically needed not only to provide much-needed economic relief to electricity consumers, but more importantly, to serve as an economic stimulus that will make our industries more competitive during these very trying times.”

“The LEDAC remains committed to the enactment of Senate Bills 3147 and 3148 into law before the year ends,” said Enrile in a statement.

Rep. Exequiel B. Javier, chairman of the House committee on ways and means, has set into motion the House version of Enrile’s proposed bills. House Speaker Prospero C. Nograles confirmed this, saying he will “work for the bills’ passage” noting that these are already in the pipeline.

Enrile said the power reform bills will directly result in significant power cost reduction ranging from P1.34-P2 per kWh for business or industrial users, and at least P1 per kWh for residential consumers.

These bills have earned support from Gabriela Women’s Party, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), and the National Association of Electricity Consumers for Reform or Nasecore.

PCCI president Edgardo Lacson said Senate Bill 3148 will enhance the competitiveness of business enterprises.

The PCCI, together with the Joint Foreign Chambers, the Philippine Exporters Confederation and the Employers’ Confederation of the Philippines have previously presented to the LEDAC a list of policy recommendations for immediate adoption that included Senate Bill Nos. 3147 and 3148.

In a separate statement, the Semiconductors and Electronics Industry of the Philippines, Inc. (SEIPI) urged President Arroyo to certify the power reform bills as priority bills to ensure immediate passage.

“We hope that Malacañang and Congress will certify these proposed measures as priority bills for power rates in the country to be lowered and to result in making our industries more competitive against neighboring Asian countries,” SEIPI president Ernie Santiago stated.