A SENIOR member of the House Minority Bloc on Saturday pushed for the mandatory and compulsory implementation of the Interruptible Load Program (ILP) by heavy power users with power-generating capability to make the program effective in addressing the projected 782-megawatt (MW) power shortage in Luzon from March to July.
Nationalist People’s Coalition Rep. Rodolfo Albano III of Isabela, a member of the Minority Bloc of the House Committee on Energy, said the Department of Energy should issue an order making the ILP mandatory and compulsory to ensure that the targeted shortfall of power is achieved during the dry months.
Albano said the ILP, as the major solution adopted by the Executive and Legislative branches of the government to augment the thin power reserves from March to July this year, may not be much effective if it is done on a “voluntary” basis.
Based on established protocols, ILP is implemented during a red-alert status (minimal power reserve) upon the notice of the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines and the power utilities informing ILP participants to deload from the grid.
The ILP is a voluntary program, whereby businesses, such as malls and factories that have their own generators, can be disconnected from the power grid in times of short supply, and can sell any excess power they generate to distributors.
“What happens if these identified heavy power users refuse to join the ILP and continue to draw heavily from the national grid? The ILP would then be rendered ineffective and inutile,” Albano, former executive director of the Joint Congressional Power Commission, said.
He said the government must make the ILP mandatory and compulsory to make it work.
Albano said it should not simply depend or rely on “volunteerism” by heavy power users with power-generating capacity.
Last week Congress went on break without approving joint resolution granting President Aquino special powers to address the projected 782-MW power shortage.
Liberal Party Rep. Reynaldo Umali of Oriental Mindoro, chairman of the House Committee on Energy, said that members of the congressional bicameral committee failed to reconcile the differences in the Senate and House versions of the measure.
Congress takes a break from March 21 to May 3.
Umali said the Lower Chamber had done its part but no one among the two chambers wanted to give in.
“I have talked to my colleagues and the House leadership if we can bargain some provisions but the decision is final that we need to stand on our version,” Umali said.
The joint resolution wants the government to mainly use the ILP in generating additional power capacity these dry months.
But members of the lower chamber are strongly pushing for the no pass-on scheme in using the ILP as it is eyeing to tap Malampaya funds as subsidy.
On the other hand, the Senate said the adoption of the ILP scheme would cost consumers P7 to P8 per kilowatt-hour under its version of the emergency powers.
On the time frame, the Senate still wants the special powers to be extended until July 2016, while the House wants it from March to July only. Both chambers want the government to mainly use the ILP in generating additional power capacity these dry months.
Umali, however, said the ILP can still function, but the cost will have to be passed on to consumers, in accordance with protocols established by the Energy Regulatory Commission.