A lawmaker has pointed to delayed regulatory approvals as a significant factor behind the high electricity prices burdening consumers, arguing that it is unjust to place the blame solely on the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP).
APEC Partylist Representative Sergio Dagooc emphasized that charges collected by NGCP make up only a small fraction of an electric bill. He warned that singling out the transmission grid operator will not resolve the broader issue of high electricity costs.
“Generation and distribution costs make up 55% and 20% of the electric bill, respectively, while NGCP’s contribution is just 3%,” Dagooc explained during a House Committee on Legislative Franchises hearing.
“Ano ba immediate na pwede natin gawin na pwede ibaba? I don’t totally agree na tututukan natin si NGCP, bababa na agad iyong bill natin, kasi napakaliit nung kontribusyon ng transmission doon sa kabuang binabayaran natin,” Dagooc said during the hearing of the House Committee on Legislative Franchises.
Department of Energy (DOE) Undersecretary Sharon Garin acknowledged that some delays are due to projects still awaiting approval from the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC).
Dagooc also questioned DOE for relying on the Transmission Development Plan (TDP) as a basis for identifying delays.
“If that’s the case sa pag-review, e papalpak talaga,” Dagooc said.
Philreca Party-List Rep. Presley De Jesus, for his part, welcomed Garin’s admission, saying it is unfair to place all the blame on NGCP for the project delays.
“In short, hindi lang ito solely fault ng NGCP, just to make it clear. Ang masama rito, we’re not trying to defend NGCP. We’re trying to level the playing field. Kasi ang dating, kasalanan ng NGCP kung bakit maraming delays,” De Jesus said.
