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LEADERS of the House of Representatives and \u201cYoung Guns\u201d on Sunday lauded the initiative of Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez to have a comprehensive review of the Electric Power Industry Regulation Act (EPIRA) to reduce the cost of power and achieve energy security for the country.<\/p>\n
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\u201cWe fully support this move by our leader in the House. If we can finally reduce the cost of electricity, this would be one of the legacies of our Speaker and the chamber he heads,\u201d said the lawmakers.<\/p>\n
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The collective statement was made by Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio \u201cDong\u201d Gonzales Jr. of Pampanga, Deputy Speaker David \u201cJay-jay\u201d Suarez of Quezon, and House Majority Leader Manuel Jose \u201cMannix\u201d M. Dalipe of Zamboanga City, and Young Guns led by Reps. Inno Dy V of Isabela, Rodge Gutierrez of 1-Rider Party-list, Jil Bongalon of Ako Bicol Partylist, Zia Alonto Adiong of Lanao del Sur, Paolo Ortega of La Union, Jay Khonghun of Zambales, Mika Suansing of Nueva Ecija, Joel Chua of Manila, Migs Nograles of PBA Partylist, and Cheeno Miguel Almario of Davao Oriental.<\/p>\n
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The lawmakers said they welcome the pronouncement of Speaker Romualdez for the House to conduct a comprehensive review of EPIRA with the goal of bringing down electricity cost.<\/p>\n
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As far as they know, they said no such study has been conducted in the past, though there have been pronouncements to this effect.<\/p>\n
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\u201cIn the meantime, power rates in the country continually went up to the extent that they are now among the highest in the ASEAN region,\u201d they said.<\/p>\n
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The Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) has resolved to prioritize the passage of 28 bills, including EPIRA, before the conclusion of the 19th Congress in June 2025.<\/p>\n
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As the House of Representatives deliberates the renewal of the Manila Electric Company’s (Meralco) franchise, they highlighted that this is the ideal time to tackle the issue of lowering electricity rates.<\/p>\n
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“Let’s examine how Meralco can support the Marcos administration in reducing its power distribution rates,” they stated. \u201cIt\u2019s time we alleviate or at least lessen the suffering of our people. Congress should address the issues created by the EPIRA law.\u201d<\/p>\n
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They added that if the House succeeds in bringing down electricity cost, it would have achieved what previous Congresses have failed to do.<\/p>\n
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\u201cThat achievement then would be one of the legacies of our Speaker and his present colleagues in the House,\u201d they stressed.<\/p>\n
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The House leaders and Young Guns pointed out that reducing power cost would translate to economic progress.<\/p>\n
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\u201cThe expansion of our economy has long been hobbled by high electricity rates. This problem has consistently been one of the top concerns of the business community since the enactment of EPIRA,\u201d they said.<\/p>\n
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\u201cWe will work to further reduce electricity rates and rice prices. Accomplishing that will surely lead to a further moderation of inflation,\u201d the Speaker earlier said.<\/p>\n
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\u201cTitingnan natin ang posibleng amendments sa EPIRA para maibaba natin \u2018yung presyo ng kuryente, para abot kaya ng lahat \u2018yung sa tamang presyo,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
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He said the House would try to finish the EPIRA changes before Congress goes on its Christmas recess.<\/p>\n
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\u201cSo medyo kumplikado \u2018yan kasi malaki itong batas at we will handle it by sections pero kayang kaya natin tapusin \u2018yan before siguro the Christmas break,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
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Electricity rates in the country are among the highest in the ASEAN region.<\/p>\n
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