The National Electrification Administration (NEA) is reviewing possible measures to implement President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to remove system loss charges on consumers’ electricity bills while ensuring the financial viability of electric cooperatives.
During an interview on DZRH's Dos Por Dos on Thursday, NEA Administrator Antonio Almeda said Energy Secretary Sharon Garin directed the agency to immediately prepare a position paper that will examine how the President’s directive can be implemented.
“Napag-usapan namin, ‘yung aming Secretary Sharon Garin, inutusan kami na gumawa kaagad ng position paper na pag-aralan, masusing pag-aaral kung paano ipatutupad ang hiling ng Presidente,” Almeda said.
Almeda said the directive serves as a “wake-up call“ for the energy sector and consumers to find ways to reduce electricity costs, as the government seeks measures to ease the burden on Filipino households.
“Personally, I think this is a wake up call doon sa non-technical na, we all better save up para naman hindi… Syempre ‘yung gobyerno natin ngayon ay naghahanap ng lahat ng paraan para maibsan ang hirap ng mga kababayan natin and I think this is a good start,” he said.
He said the government is looking for ways to alleviate the difficulties faced by consumers, adding that the initiative could be a good starting point.
Almeda said the NEA would leave technical matters concerning system loss to the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), stressing that he would not preempt the regulator on the issue.
He assured the public that the NEA would carefully examine the proposal and has already begun studying possible measures to implement the President’s directive.
“Ayokong pangunahan ang ERC sa bagay na ‘yan... Ang maaassure lang namin sa publiko ay pag-aaralan naming mabuti at inuumpisahan na namin pag-aralan” Almeda said.
He further said the review should not be limited to system loss charges, noting that other policies and existing practices that affect electricity costs could also be examined.
“Hindi lang naman system loss ang dapat na sigurong tingnan dito. May mga bagay na pwedeng pag-aralan at reviewhin, baka naman pwede natin i-reconsider yung mga polisiya, yung mga business as usual gaya ng line rental,” he said.
He emphasized that the proposed measures would require a thorough assessment, particularly to ensure that electric cooperatives remain financially viable.
“Lahat talaga kailangan pagtibayin ang pag-aaral at syempre kailangan ng kooperatiba ang tulong ng gobyerno,“ he said.
While he acknowledged that it would be difficult to provide a specific timeline for the completion of the review, Almeda said the energy sector is working together to identify possible solutions.
“Kapag nagsama-sama at nag-usap-usap baka naman kahit paaano may maiibsan at may mababawas kahit paunti-unti. Kung maibibigay natin nang buo, bakit hindi, pero lahat kailangan pag-aralan,” Almeda said.
This comes following the administration seeks to reduce or eliminate system loss charges imposed on electricity consumers.
During the State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has called for the removal of system loss charges from consumers’ electricity bills, prompting the NEA to study how the policy could be implemented without jeopardizing the financial viability of electric cooperatives.
