Senate Energy Committee Chairman Win Gatchalian urges Malacanang to appoint Acting Commissioners of the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) during the period of suspension of four of its current Commissions who were found guilty of not implementing the Competitive Selection Process (CSP) which unduly favored some electric utilities.
In light of the possible entry of a new telco player next year, Senator Win Gatchalian is calling on Malacanang to certify as urgent the bill that would allow users to "easily transfer network providers without changing their preferred mobile numbers".
Senator Win Gatchalian voted for the ratification of the Bicameral Conference Committee version of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) bill while reiterating his strong reservations against the coal tax provision of the measure.
Senator Win Gatchalian is optimistic that the Lifetime Cellphone Number Act will encourage entry of new players and stimulate healthy competition within the telecommunications industry.
Senator Gatchalian renewed on Friday his call to equip policemen with body cameras to ensure the bloodless but effective implementation of the government's all-out campaign against illegal drugs.
Senator Win Gatchalian is championing a bill which will create direct consumer savings by reducing the amount of system loss charges that electricity companies are allowed to pass on to consumers in their monthly bills.
Senator Win Gatchalian is calling for a creation of a National Database System to streamline the delivery of government social services and simplify the process of obtaining common official documents such as NBI clearances and drivers licenses.
Senator Win Gatchalian is calling on the Department of Energy to fast-track the implementation of the Retail Competition and Open Access (RCOA) circular to mitigate the effects of projected electricity rate hikes in the event that the huge increase in the excise tax on coal becomes law.
Senator Win Gatchalian reminds the Department of Finance to "keep its end of the bargain" in helping poor families cope with expected price increases of essential commodities.