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PRESIDENT Arroyo has reorganized the Energy Operations
Board into the Energy Contingency Task Force under the
National Food and Energy Council (NFEC) through
Executive Order (EO) 731.
The task
force will formulate and implement plans and policies
aimed at easing the impact of high oil prices on the
people, to be funded out of excess revenues from
value-added tax (Vat) on oil and natural gas royalties
due to high oil prices.
It will
be chaired by the Executive Secretary and will have as
its operations officer the secretary of Energy.
Its
members include the secretaries of trade, budget,
science and technology, and social welfare; the
director-general of the National Economic and
Development Authority (Neda), Commission on Higher
Education chairman; Philippine Information Agency chief;
and the commander of the Intelligence Service of the
Armed Forces of the Philippines (Isafp).
The task
force chairman will provide overall leadership and
oversight in the formulation and implementation of the
group’s plans and policies; while the operating officer
will monitor oil prices and ensure the implementation of
energy efficiency, conservation and other mitigating
measures.
The
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will
identify beneficiaries of targeted subsidies for the
poor and facilitate the timely distribution of
subsidies; the Department of Budget and Management will
ensure sufficient funding for the task force projects,
especially from “the additional VAT and additional
Malampaya royalties from higher energy prices.”
The Neda
will help the Energy Secretary in terms of projecting
oil price levels and draft mitigation plans and policies
for task force implementation, “including various Katas
ng VAT and Katas ng Malampaya programs.”
The
Department of Science and Technology, in coordination
with the Department of Energy, will help public and
private offices and households install or adopt
energy-saving technology.
Under EO
731, the Isafp will “issue timely intelligence
assessment of political and security developments
related to the oil-price issue and alert government
offices on the same,” and “provide advice on matters
affecting national security.”
The task
force is authorized to organize task groups at various
levels, may invite local government officials to the
body if necessary, and may go to other government
agencies or office for additional help. |
