Senator Win Gatchalian assailed the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) for its failure to efficiently regulate distribution utilities (DUs) and ensure affordability of electricity rates, to the detriment of consumers.

The Philippines must pursue diversification of its energy source and energy transition in order to improve the country’s energy security in the long run, Senator Win Gatchalian said.

Senator Win Gatchalian, the principal author of the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act (EVIDA), said the short-term suspension of tariffs on electric vehicles (EVs) is necessary to support the development of the industry.

Senator Win Gatchalian threw his support behind the energy department’s move to ensure the sufficiency of power supply in the country, at least in the short and medium term, by encouraging investments in the liquified natural gas (LNG) industry.

Senator Win Gatchalian has called on the Department of Energy (DOE), Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), Meralco and San Miguel Corp. (SMC) to ensure a steady supply of electricity amid a temporary restraining order issued by the Court of Appeals (CA) versus a recent ERC decision denying a joint petition of Meralco and SMC-owned South Premiere Power Corp. (SPPC) and San Miguel Energy Corp. (SMEC) for temporary relief from high level of fuel prices.

Senator Win Gatchalian called on the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the National Electrification Administration (NEA) to fast-track the relocation of more than 57,000 electric poles in the middle of road widening projects situated in various parts of the country.

Following the recent signing of the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) No. 11552 or the Act Extending and Enhancing the Implementation of the Lifeline Rate until 2050, Senator Win Gatchalian called on the government to ensure that marginalized consumers are the actual beneficiaries of the electricity lifeline rate subsidy.

The Senate Committee on Finance Sub-Committee E chaired by Senator Win Gatchalian has reduced the budget of the Philippine National Oil Company (PNOC) by P2.5 billion for 2023 as part of efforts to compel the government-owned and controlled firm to refocus its mandate into providing stable and secure supply of oil, including the exploration of oil and gas.

Senator Win Gatchalian wants to establish a national policy and framework for petroleum exploration and development in the country by amending the charter of the government-owned and controlled Philippine National Oil Company (PNOC) with the end goal of reducing the country’s dependence on oil imports.