Gatchalian mulls over power sector stimulus

By Alena Mae S. Flores – April 22, 2020 at 08:10 pm
from manilastandard.net

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian is calling for an inquiry on whether Congress needs to draw up a financial stimulus package for the power sector to ensure reliable supply while protecting electricity consumers.

Gatchalian, chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy, filed a resolution to determine the short, medium and long-term effects of the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon on the power sector and consumers.

“We have seen that with the implementation of the enhanced community quarantine, electricity consumption from transport, industrial and commercial activities also went down. The continued decline in consumption may affect the country’s energy security,” said Gatchalian in a statement.

The lawmaker wants to look into how consumers can cope with payments of all electricity bill obligations at the end of the ECQ.