The Power for People Coalition (P4P) on Wednesday expressed reservations over reports of current Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) Chair Agnes Devanadera being one of those eyed to become Secretary of the Department of Energy (DOE).
Devanadera’s possible appointment was raised by Senator Imee Marcos, who said that presumptive president Ferdinand Marcos Jr. – her younger brother – should consider Devenadera for the post, lauding the ERC Chair’s move to abolish VAT from power generation charges.
“Chairperson Agnes Devanadera’s stint in the ERC should not be viewed from the lens of her VAT proposal, but what she has accomplished. So far, we have not seen any benefit to the consumer from her oversight. Be it the protection of consumers from abuse and accountability from power companies, return of correct refunds, resolution of bill shocks from the last few years – all these are nowhere to be seen and continue to be a burden to the public,” said Gerry Arances, convenor of P4P.
Ahead the 2022 elections, P4P fired shots at the ERC and outgoing Chair Devanadera for concerns over collusion with Meralco to withhold over a hundred billion worth of refunds from excessive charging since 2012.
“What Chair Devanadera should be facing are hearings and complaints for turning her back to her obligations, not a cabinet appointment. She failed consumers in her post as ERC chair and we are deeply worried by what she can do or, in this case, cannot do as DOE Secretary that will benefit power stakeholders,” Arances said.
According to the group, DOE will also continue delaying a sustainable transformation of the energy sector if it is to be led by Senator Marcos’s bet.
“A DOE under Devanadera would not be instrumental to achieving a much needed energy transition. From policies on power procurement that remain unfair to renewables to the lax imposition of penalties on fossil companies for anomalous services, Devanadera has proven herself to be an ally of coal, gas, and other dirty energy. We’re bound to see the DOE remaining fossil friendly with her at its helm. Her recommendation to convert coal into gas plants, which would once again keep RE from rapidly occupying the energy mix upon a coal phaseout, is a glimpse of this,” Arances added.
Arances said that the next DOE Secretary must put the long-term welfare of consumers ahead of the profits of industry players.
“We can’t expect much from the incoming administration given its hazy platforms on power during the campaign period, but a change of cabinet members remains an opportunity to reshape how the government engages stakeholders, especially with the dismal performance of outgoing DOE Secretary Al Cusi. The post should be given to someone with a track record of promoting consumer welfare and the transition away from fossil fuels to protect Filipinos from effects of the climate crisis,” said Arances. (Baby Cuevas)
