Akbayan Party-list Representative Chel Diokno is seeking a congressional investigation into the recurring rotational brownouts and sudden spikes in electricity bills that have plagued consumers during the intense summer season.
The lawmaker called on energy authorities, including the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) and private power generation companies, to provide clear explanations for the frequent Red and Yellow alerts raising anxiety nationwide.
In a recent Facebook post, Diokno emphasized that the public deserves full transparency regarding the tight electricity supply, unscheduled plant outages, and surging demand driven by the dry season heatwave.
“Hindi katanggap-tanggap na sa kasagsagan ng tag-init, libu-libong Pilipino ang nangangamba mawalan ng kuryente dahil sa Red at Yellow Alerts sa power grid. Dapat itong imbestigahan para malaman ang puno’t dulo ng problema at kung may kapalpakan ang ating energy agencies, NGCP, at power producers,” Diokno stated.
To address the root cause of the power crisis, Diokno highlighted House Resolution 875, a measure he previously filed to review the Philippine Energy Plan.
“Noong nakaraang buwan, naghain tayo ng House Resolution 875 para suriin ang Philippine Energy Plan. Layunin nito tiyakin ang sapat na supply ng kuryente at bawasan ang pagdepende sa imported fuel,” he added, noting the importance of transitioning to renewable energy.
Aside from supply shortages, the lawmaker is turning his sights on the financial strain hitting households.
In a separate social media update, Diokno revealed he has filed House Resolution 995, directing the House Committee on Energy to probe the recent surge in electricity bills following a wave of complaints against the Manila Electric Company (Meralco).
The inquiry will scrutinize complex billing components and pass-through charges, such as lifeline rate subsidies, to protect consumers from unfair pricing.
“Mahalaga na masiguro ang equitable, transparent, at sustainable electricity rates habang pinoprotektahan ang mga mamimili laban sa hindi makatarungang pasanin,” Diokno emphasized.