Consumer groups back bill on Solar Para Sa Bayan franchise

MANILA, Philippines — Consumer groups have expressed support for House Bill 8179 which gives Solar Para Sa Bayan the non-exclusive right to construct solar-battery minigrids in off-grid areas nationwide at zero cost to government.

In a statement, National Association of Electric Consumers for Reforms (Nasecore) said the bill offers Filipinos an alternative choice for electricity and would pave the way for more competition in the power industry.

“The fact electric service is still so poor and costly, 17 years after EPIRA (Electric Power Industry Reform Act), shows current measures have failed. Solar Para Sa Bayan should be thanked for fulfilling the intent of EPIRA, which consumers have long waited for. We hope this wakes up the power industry, and leads to more reforms that will benefit the people, instead of institutionalizing the inefficiencies of electric utilities,” Nasecore executive director Rafael Acebedo said.

Meanwhile, the Palueños Solar Power Electric Consumers Association, represented by Jeffrey Huertas, said the bill would unlock development potential in off-grid areas.

“HB 8179 is the key to the continued growth of the economy and of livelihood especially in those areas where there are no power services,” Huertas said.

Over 20 towns have already passed resolutions in support of the mini-grid projects, after conducting public consultations across the country, Solar Para Sa Bayan said.

The Philippine Solar and Storage Energy Alliance Inc. (PSSEA), meanwhile, opposed HB 8179, saying policymakers have no justifiable reason “to restrict the expanding renewable energy industry from developing solar, wind, hydro and biomass as sources of energy that will bring light to missionary areas throughout the country.”

The group also vehemently pointed to the alarming lack of regulation over Solar Para Sa Bayan.

“Despite all fiscal and tax incentives provided in the proposed franchise, there is nothing in the bill that regulates the activities of Solar Para Sa Bayan. There are no impositions on performance or service requirements that will ensure the achievement of its objective to provide electricity in unserved and un-energized localities. More alarming is the provision exempting Solar Para Sa Bayan from the regulatory powers of the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC),” PSSEA said.

However, Solar Para Sa Bayan president Leandro Leviste said the company is on a mission to bring cheap, clean, reliable electricity to improve the lives of Filipinos.

The company is already bringing 24/7 power to towns in Mindoro, Palawan, Masbate, Cagayan, and Aurora,  it also aims to serve 500,000 Filipinos in 2018, in towns that want better electric service.

“The text of the bill speaks for itself: It is non-exclusive, encourages others to apply for the same, and aims to end the existing monopolies on electricity, because we believe consumers deserve new choices for better service at lower cost. It also incurs zero cost to government, and eliminates the need for billions in subsidies to existing utilities,” Leviste said.

Moreover, it only targets areas where consumers complain about electricity, he said.

A survey conducted by Pulse Asia  in June showed that 82 percent of Filipinos favor having new options for electric service providers.

Pulse Asia director Ana Maria Tabunda, said support for new electric service providers is consistent across all ages, classes, and geographies, with ratings in favor at 88 percent in NCR, 78 percent in Luzon, 84 percent in Visayas, and 83 percent in Mindanao.

According to the survey, 60 percent of Filipinos are dissatisfied with electric prices, and 89 percent of Filipinos favor increasing the use of renewable energy.