Senator Win Gatchalian wants to put in place an energy subsidy program that will provide a safety net for the public transport sector from oil price increases and subsequently deter fare hikes for the benefit of the commuting public.

Senator Win Gatchalian stressed that the recent agreement between Enrique Razon, Jr.’s Prime Exploration Pte. Ltd., a subsidiary of Prime Infrastructure Capital Inc. (Prime Infra), and Dennis Uy on the acquisition of his MEXP Holdings Pte. Ltd. (MEXP Holdings) should be in compliance with the law to ensure the protection of consumers, the government, and the country’s energy security.

Senator Win Gatchalian welcomes the appointment of lawyer Monalisa Carneo Dimalanta as the new chairperson of the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), replacing Atty. Agnes Devanadera who headed the agency for nearly five years.

With gasoline pump prices up again this week, Senator Win Gatchalian said there is a need for Congress to look into the impact of the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine on the country’s energy security and affordability.

Senator Win Gatchalian proposed solutions to the daily intermittent power outage in Occidental Mindoro as the power crisis is affecting hospital operations considering a dengue outbreak and rising COVID-19 cases.

Senator Win Gatchalian assured consumer protection is of utmost importance in filing his priority bills in the energy sector for the upcoming 19th Congress.

Senator Win Gatchalian commended the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) for ordering Manila Electric Company (MERALCO) to refund its customers P21.8 billion equivalent to 87 centavos per kilowatt-hour (kWh).

Even if Occidental Mindoro’s power supply has been restored after it was hit by a three-day blackout that started last June 25, Senator Win Gatchalian is seeking a Senate investigation to address the problem of power interruptions plaguing the province for several years now.

Senator Win Gatchalian took to task the local government units (LGUs) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) for the long delay in the distribution of fuel subsidy to tricycle drivers, which stemmed from the inaccuracy of beneficiaries’ names submitted to the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).