The House Committee on Energy met for the third time to discuss possible ways forward to address the frequent power outages in Basilan, which Basilan Lone District Rep. Mujiv Hataman raised in House Resolution (HR) 1157.
Hataman called for the inquiry because the outages are “discouraging investors from investing in (Basilan), and hampering the delivery of goods and services, as well as the performance of local and national government functions, and have resulted in social disturbances.”
“The outages are discouraging investors from investing in (Basilan), and hampering the delivery of goods and services.”
“The outages have also affected the operations of local hospitals, dialysis centers and other health facilities,” the veteran legislator added.
Committee vice chairperson and LPGMA Party-list Representative Allan Ty, who presided over the hearing, reminded committee members that “our aim (for the hearing) is to alleviate the situation of Basilan and to provide better power service to the people.”
Discussions zeroed in on the outstanding payables of the Basilan Electric Cooperative (BASELCO), which has the franchise for providing power to the province, to the National Power Corporation (NAPOCOR).
Hataman said BASELCO owes NAPOCOR P3.2 billion, based on a report given last December 2023. Since then, BASELCO’s debt has risen to P3.8 billion, according to him.
“From December, January, February, March, April, nadagdagan ng P600 million (iyung loan),” the seasoned lawmaker added.
“A concessional fund condonation is now on the table.”
Ty said, “A concessional fund condonation is now on the table. The (NAPOCOR) for its part expresses the possibility of condoning interest charges only as we continue our deliberation on the matter.”
To facilitate discussions, the legislator suggested that the committee form a small group composed of representatives from the NAPOCOR, BASELCO, the National Electrification Administration (NEA), and the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) to address the matter.
The lawmaker also asked the Department of Energy (DOE) to submit a position paper on the condonation proposal.
Atty. Dexter John Suyat, DOE OIC chief of Policy Legal Services Division, said NAPOCOR and NEA have already been directed to coordinate with BASELCO and is starting talks with the Department of Finance when it comes to electrification projects of the NAPOCOR regarding the extent of assistance the national government can give in terms of funding that includes distribution lines generation program and other distribution aspects of the electrification program.
“Kung pwede nating pagaanin yung problema, pagaanin natin. Magtulungan tayong lahat,” Hataman said.
BASELCO’s franchise to operate in Basilan will expire in 2028.
Before that, Congress will have to decide whether or not to renew BASELCO’s franchise for another 50 years or find another electric cooperative which can better serve the power needs of Basilan.
