CERTIFY BILLS TO AMEND EPIRA LAW AS URGENT Rep. Winston “Winnie” Castelo (Liberal Party, Quezon City Second District) today urged Malacañang to certify as urgent measures amending RA 9136 or the Electric Power Industry Reform Act saying “measures proposing to extend the provision implementing subsidized rates for marginalized end-users would minimize the impact of electricity rate hikes on the poor.” Section 73 of the EPIRA provides for a “Lifeline Rate” setting a socialized pricing mechanism for low income power consumers, but which, is effective only for a period not exceeding ten (10) years. Castelo recalled, “Since EPIRA took effect in 2001, its “Lifeline Rate” provision expired in 2011, which spurred the skyrocketing of power rates in the country.” Castelo further quipped, thus, “This 2014 when the general direction of the government is to uplift the economic welfare of the poor who were recently blighted by natural calamities and man-made strife, legislative agenda should be crafted so as to favor them.” Traditionally, proposed legislative measures receiving the Malacanang seal of urgency get higher chances of being passed into laws.#
Posted on: Thu, 16 Jan 2014 01:06:52 +0000
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