A welcome relief amid the rising cost of living was how Senator Win Gatchalian viewed the P7.8 billion refund in electricity bills ordered by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) to the Manila Electric Company (Meralco) for overcharges.
Support for the re-election of Senator Win Gatchalian in the Senate has snowballed with the declaration of endorsement of his candidacy from the Association of Visayas Electric Cooperatives (AVEC) and various players in the energy industry in a recently held e-rally.
Senator Win Gatchalian is one of the top picks of the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) among the senatorial candidates for the May 9 elections.
Senator Win Gatchalian said the country can now look forward to transitioning to sustainable transportation with the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act having lapsed into law last April 15.
Senator Win Gatchalian underscored the need for consumer education in maximizing energy efficiency with the right appliances and devices to curb the monthly electricity bills of households and commercial establishments and at the same time help in managing the country’s supply when the demand is high.
Two landmark legislations, the bill providing for a national energy policy and regulatory framework for the use of electric vehicles (EVs) and the establishment of electric charging stations and the proposed SIM Card Registration Act, are expected to be signed into law soon.
The lack of an existing database has been the cause of delay in the distribution of the government’s fuel subsidy program, Senator Win Gatchalian said.
Senator Win Gatchalian urged all government agencies, including local government units, to comply with the mandatory energy efficiency and conservation measures following tight power supply seen in the Luzon and Visayas grids this summer.
Senator Win Gatchalian urged concerned agencies to ramp up the distribution of fuel subsidy under the Pantawid Pasada Program to the targeted beneficiaries to alleviate the impact of oil price hikes imposed by oil companies this week.
