Suportado ng Department of Energy (DOE) ang panawagan ni Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr. na amyendahan ang Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) para matanggal ang system loss charges mula sa mga bayarin sa kuryente ng mga konsyumer
Sa isang pahayag, tiniyak ng DOE na makikipagtulungan sila sa Kongreso, Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), industry stakeholders at consumer groups para sa masusing pagkonsidera ng mga pagbabago sa EPIRA na makapagpapabuti sa kapakanan ng mga konsyumer, magtataguyod ng seguridad sa enerhiya, magpapalakas sa kumpiyansa ng mga mamumuhunan at makapagtatag ng makabago at future-ready na power sector ng bansa.
Aniya, dalawampu’t limang taon na ang nakalilipas mula nang baguhin ng EPIRA ang sektor ng enerhiya sa Pilipinas, kayat panahon na aniya upang matiyak na ang legal at regulatory framework nito ay nakakasabay sa mga kasalukuyang sitwasyon.
“The President’s directive reflects a clear principle: consumers should not continue to bear the burden of avoidable system losses that can be reduced through better infrastructure, modern technologies, stronger operational discipline, and more effective regulation. As utilities continue to modernize their networks through advanced metering systems, grid upgrades, digital technologies, and enhanced measures against electricity theft, system losses should steadily decline—allowing these efficiency gains to translate into meaningful savings for consumers while strengthening the overall performance of the power sector,” saad ng DOE.
“The DOE believes that any amendments to EPIRA should strike the right balance between protecting consumers, delivering affordability, and maintaining a financially sound, reliable, and resilient electricity industry. Legislative reforms must continue to encourage investments in modern infrastructure, improve operational efficiency, strengthen regulatory oversight, and promote greater accountability across the entire electricity value chain, while ensuring that Filipinos receive affordable, dependable, and high-quality electricity service,” dagdag pa ng ahensiya.
Una rito, sa kaniyang ikalimang State of the Nation Address (SONA), nanawagan si Pangulong Marcos sa dalawang kapulungan ng Kongreso na amyendahan ang EPIRA para matigil na ang system loss charges kaakibat ang value-added tax, na naipapasan sa mga konsyumer.
