DOE, ERC doing their best to reduce PH electricity rates
DOE, ERC doing their best to reduce PH electricity rates
Category
đź—ž
NewsTranscript
00:00Lower electricity charges in a decent home would most probably be part of the list of what many Filipinos would like to have right now.
00:08Something that two agencies concerned with making those wants possible are working on
00:13while defending their respective proposed budgets before the lower house.
00:17Mela Lesmoras has more.
00:22The Department of Energy and the Energy Regulatory Commission both assured the public
00:27they are working their tails off to further reduce power rates in the country.
00:31During the hearing of the House Committee on Appropriations on the proposed 2025 budget of the DOE and its attached agencies,
00:39some lawmakers emphasized the Energy Department should intensify their measures to alleviate this burden weighing heavily on our countrymen.
00:47Aside from the high prices of commodities, the steep cost of electricity has been a perennial challenge in the struggle of the public to make ends meet.
00:55In response, Energy Secretary Rafael Lotilia outlined their initiatives to address the issue.
01:01One, in terms of promoting energy security or supply, that's one way of contributing to bringing down the price of electricity
01:11because for as long as the supply is thin, then, as Congressman Marcoleta has pointed out,
01:18the prices will remain not affordable for the majority of our people.
01:25And the other is, just for example, the hybridization program that the National Power Corporation is trying to do and promote in the off-grid areas,
01:39that's also intended to bring down the effective price of electricity.
01:48From our view, the lowering of electricity prices or ensuring affordability is a result.
01:56It's a result of various measures being taken by the Energy Regulatory Commission as well as the Department of Energy.
02:04So I think all roads lead to achieving affordability.
02:09For fiscal year 2025, the Energy Department is requesting a budget of more than 3 billion pesos.
02:16This to further improve their services to the Filipino people.
02:20Lotilia said one of the key items in their work agenda is to further expand renewable energy sources in the country.
02:27Basically, yes, Mr. Chairman, the target is for 35% renewable energy by 2030 and 50% by 2040.
02:39Last night, officials from the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development and its attached agencies also faced the House panel in the budget hearing.
02:48Under the 2025 National Expenditure Program, more than 2 billion pesos is allocated to this zone.
02:54During the discussion, congressmen primarily scrutinized issues concerning the administration's flagship project,
03:00the Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino, or 4PH program, and how the authorities are addressing these concerns.
03:08To be able to get a loan in Pag-ibig, it took about nine months for one project to get a loan.
03:15I cannot provide Pag-ibig because it has loan requirements.
03:21They are also protecting the members' money.
03:25So what did we do?
03:27Since our delivery is slow, we need to build a construction.
03:33We have already adjusted the affordability because of the interception.
03:38We also have access to funds because the private sector is willing to finance the housing production.