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One million solar roofs a solution to chronic power rate hikes

At the Philippine Solar Summit, party list Rep. Teddy Casiño said House Bill 5405 or the proposed One Million Solar Roofs Act would stop the incessant power rate hikes in the country.

He made the statement as the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) announced another increase in its generation charge by 28 centavos per kilowatt hour this month. This is on top of the previous hikes on the price of electricity due to higher generation costs, universal charges and currency exchange rate adjustments.

Casiño said that Congress should fast track the bill which provides incentives and financing facilities to ordinary electricity consumers like residences, offices and small to medium business establishments who want to put up their own solar power systems.

The bill allows homeowners and entrepreneurs to take out loans from Pag-Ibig, GSIS, SSS and other financial institutions to purchase solar panels and pay the amount from the ensuing savings in their electricity bills.

“With the putting up of more solar power roofs, power demand from traditional sources would drop and thus would most likely push rates down,” he added.

"Our bill also allows these solar powered households and small firms to feed in their unused power to the grid during peak midday hours at a cost cheaper than existing diesel peaking plants. In the National Capital Region (NCR), some peaking plants sell at as high as P30/kWh while solar can come in at half that price," Casiño revealed.

He said the amount sold by the solar power producer can be offset from their monthly electricity bills via the net metering mechanism as proposed in the bill.

"In this way, we hit three birds with one stone - we build additional supply of power; liberate ourselves from expensive, dirty and imported fossil fuels; and develop the local renewable energy industry. It is really the way to go," he said.

According to the lawmaker, “Government should think out of the box and go beyond the big developer mentality in dealing with the power crisis. Solar power technology now allows electricity consumers to be producers themselves.

“Solar technology can be an immediate and sustainable way to deal with the country’s energy problems, especially with the abundance of solar energy throughout the country and the modular nature of solar energy systems,” said the progressive solon.

“Besides the country being second in Southeast Asia in terms of irradiation and insolation, we already have the foundation to become a renewable energy leader in the region owing to the strong semi-conductor industry and the manpower base serving in the manufacturing and service sectors, especially the installers sub-sector,” he added.

“With government harnessing the solar resources of the country and providing for incentives for massive deployment of solar energy systems, the prospects of attaining energy independence from oil companies and significantly lowering electricity prices in the medium-term are realizable,” ended Casiño. # # #

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Submitted by makabayan national on Fri, 08/17/2012 - 09:24

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Longer PWD voter’s registration appealed

Party list Rep. Teddy Casiño today said that while it is a good move that the Commission on Election (COMELEC) has set a specific day for the registration of persons with disabilities (PWD), more time should be allotted to ensure as much participation as possible.

“We appeal to the COMELEC to give more than one day for PWDs to register, taking into consideration their physical limitations. It would be better if the special registration for PWDs would be held for one week," he said.

Casiño also lauded the COMELEC for creating special polling precincts for PWDs. "It is good that COMELEC did not wait for our proposed law on this and took the initiative to create such special polling precincts for the 2013 elections. During the last elections, news programs showed footages of senior citizens leaving polling centers instead of climbing two flights of stairs to reach their assigned voting precinct and we do not want this to happen again both for senior citizens and PWDs,” said the progressive solon.

Rep. Casiño is the primary author of House Bill 4048 or Polling Center Accessibility Act of 2011 which was already approved on third reading by the House of Representatives (as House Bill 5509).

“We are also appealing to the Senate to pass the counterpart bill so that PWDs, senior citizens and expectant mothers will instead be assigned to special voting rooms on Election Day. Their ballots will be collected on basis of their actual assigned precincts and will later be forwarded to the corresponding precincts,” Casiño. # # #

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Submitted by makabayan national on Tue, 07/31/2012 - 06:09

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Casiño: PCSO plunder case vs Gloria stronger than electoral sabotage

At the hearing of the PCSO plunder case against Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo at the Sandiganbayan First Division, Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casiño said the use of the intelligence fund was allegedly hidden in the regular accounting procedures of the PCSO and is stronger than the electoral sabotage case.

"Unlike the electoral sabotage case, may documentary at testimonial evidence ito," Casiño said.

“Isang taong inimbestigahan ng Ombudsman ito. Siguro naman matibay-tibay ito," he added.

Casiño, who is a complainant in the case, said one of the strongest pieces of evidence they have is the memorandum signed with initials of Arroyo allowing the conversion from operational to intelligence fund.

He said former PCSO General Manager Rosario Uriarte also admitted during a Senate inquiry that she was authorized by the former President to undertake the conversion of funds. # # #

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Submitted by makabayan national on Thu, 07/26/2012 - 06:47

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On the eve of his SONA - Makabayan bloc calls on Noynoy to assert Ph sovereignty vs US and China

The Makabayan partylist bloc in Congress called on Pres. Benigno Aquino III to break from the US’ scheme of globalization, anti-China sabre-rattling and war policy on the eve of his State of the Nation Address SONA).

“Pres. Aquino should veer away from US tutelage and earnestly pursue our national sovereign interest particualrly on our issues regarding the Panatag shoal and the Spratlys. We should not allow the United States into the conflict because it may further escalate.This matter is best settled between China and the Philippines through diplomatic means and using the international conventions. We do not need another bully like the US in our backyard," said Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casiño, the head of the bloc in Congress.

“Aside from bringing this to the International Tribunal of the Law of the Sea (ITLOS), the Philippine government, including Congress, should also assert the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea which was signed in 2002 by members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the People’s Republic of China aimed at easing tensions in the region and serving as a foundation for future negotiations. Efforts should also be exerted to further develop this code and stop what China is doing now and we do not need the US for that,” he stressed.

As for his part Anakpawis partylist Rep. Rafael V. Mariano, pointed out that aside from US meddling in the Philippine- China stand off Noynoy should also reverse the Philippine adherance on US globalization because it is one of the main reasons for the poverty of majority of our population escpecially the peasants. The most blatant push now of globalization advocates is centered on Charter change, which will allow 100% foreign ownership of land and businesses in the country.

“Instead of following US dictates, Noynoy should work for genuine agrarian reform and ensure the speedy distribution of land particulalry that of Hacienda Luisita. Support services must also be ensured for farmers,” said the peasant leader.

On the other hand ACT Teachers partylist Rep. Antonio Tinio said said that Pres. Aquino should be very wary of the US government’s shift of its focus to Asia this decade because this means that it would be more aggressive in asserting its dominance in the Pacific area. This may mean more US covert operations in the country and more human rights violations

Gabriela Women’s Party Rep. Luzviminda Ilagan said that there had been numerous documented cases of such US operations like in 2002 when a US soldier Reggie Lane was identified by an international fact-finding mission as the one who shot Buyong-Buyong Isnijal, an unarmed civilian resident of Basilan, in the course of a military operation, violating belabored Terms of Reference for Balikatan 02-1--and the Constitution as well--that imposed on U.S. forces to avoid offensive actions against Filipinos. Also in an article dated July 6, the New York Times reported that in 2006, US drones sent a "barrage of Hellfire missiles" that hit a suspected military camp in the jungles of southern Philippines.

“While this incident took place under the previous administration, the Aquino administration employs the same lack of transparency, double speak, and deception in order to conceal the true nature of the US military presence in the country,” added Ilagan.

“As it is Pres. Aquino should stop being a US lackey and instead serve the interest of the Filipino people because as always we will be watching,” concluded Kabataan Partylist Rep. Raymond Palatino. #

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Submitted by makabayan national on Sun, 07/22/2012 - 04:22

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Casiño to oil companies: Oil price rollback is still not enough - But if downward trend is maintained and fixed, a fare rollback may be in order

Partylist Rep. Teddy Casiño today said that recent oil price rollbacks are still not enough considering that as of March 2012, the price of diesel is overpriced by as much as P7.86 per liter and gasoline by P16.18 per liter.

Citing data from a recent study by the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, Casiño said since the oil industry was deregulated in 1999, the upward movement of local oil prices were quick and often exceeded the movements in global oil prices and foreign exchange. In contrast, the downward movement was slow and often small in proportion to the decrease in global oil prices and foreign exchange.

“Even if fuel prices in the country have been going down since April it is still not enough. Diesel rolled back 9 times or a total of P6.55 per liter. Gasoline prices likewise have gone down 9 times or a total of P5.45 per liter. Kulang pa din talaga at dapat e mamaintain na ang downward trend ng presyo ng langis, pero with deregulation malabong mangyari yun,” said Casiño.

"Ganun pa din kasi e, mabilis at sobra kung tumaas, mabagal at kulang pag bumaba. As for a fare rollback we have to see if this can be maintained and fixed to prices below P40 so that drivers and commuters would have a fair deal," Casiño described the movement of local oil prices.

“We can ensure that prices stay down in the short term though by cutting the value added tax (VAT) on oil and for the long run of course is the deregulation of the oil industry,” he added.

Casiño revealed last month that the oil industry is under a scheme of multiple overpricing, from January 1999 to March 2012, local oil companies have been able to accumulate an overprice of as much as P7.86 per liter for diesel and P16.18 for gasoline. With the latest roll back now oil companies should still roll back at least P1.31 on diesel prices and P10.73 in regular gasoline prices. “In other words, bitin pa din ang mga roll back na ito,” he said.

The study was based on the monthly movement of Dubai crude and foreign exchange (forex) rate based on a rule of thumb used by one major oil firm that pegged the movement of local prices at around P1/ liter for every dollar change per barrel of oil and around P.30/liter per peso change in the forex.

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Submitted by makabayan national on Mon, 06/11/2012 - 03:02

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Trend of power rate increases alarming - Unjust P1 per kWh hike in VECO electricity bills is bad for business and residential consumers

Bayan Muna Congressman Teddy Casiño said that the trend of power rate increases is a cause for alarm and added that the impact of the unjust P1.00 per kilowatt hour (kWh) increase to hit power consumers in Metro Cebu should not have been accepted since the vagaries of the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) is a complex scheme that can be manipulated by selfish interests.

Casiño made the statement as the Manila Electric Company (Meralco) passed on to consumers a 54 centavo increase for the month and there is a threat of rotating brown outs in Luzon. “The country has yet to recover from the Mindanao power crisis and the power rates in the southern island are still exorbitant and now almost every power grid in the nation is pushing for an increase. This is a very alarming trend considering that world oil and coal prices are going down since January. Why are our electricity rates going up? World oil prices are US$80 per barrel and the average selling price of Indonesian coal (which Philippine coal fired plants use) will drop to US$78.80 per ton this year,”

“Yet again we should be wary that this trend might be deliberately aimed at manipulating Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) prices. We are calling on regulators, especially the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), to keep their eyes wide open and put their ears on the ground and watch out for signs of price manipulation,” he added.

“I understand that the Visayan Electric Company (Veco) as a distribution utility is merely passing on to consumers the 85-centavo per kWh increase in the generation charge due to higher costs of power bought at the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) and the power price adjustments implemented by Napocor to recover so-called fuel, purchased power and foreign exchange costs. But why should we accept this price hike when it will bring negative impact to both residential consumers and businesses, especially small and medium enterprises that need cheaper power to survive?” said Casiño, who also chairs the House Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship Development that attends to policy making for micro-, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the country.

Casiño was in Cebu recently to join the Suroy Suroy sa Sugbu and the Obra Negosyo Eskwela Countryside Enterprise Business Upliftment (ONE CEBU) Awards for best MSME business plans.

“The higher Napocor rates charged to VECO is also unjust. Why do Cebuano residential and business consumers have to suffer due to the generation rate adjustment mechanism (GRAM) of P0.4847/kWh for the next 10-and-a-half years and the incremental currency exchange rate adjustment (ICERA) of P0.1213 for the next five years? Getting power from Napocor and the WESM with unjust and possibly manipulated prices is not good for business and employment in Cebu or any other part of the country. And the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) just approves every petition for a rate hike even if it will have dire results to millions of people,” Casiño said.

Veco is the country’s second largest private electric utility, with a franchise area covering the cities of Cebu, Mandaue, Naga and Talisay and the municipalities of Consolacion, Liloan, Minglanilla and San Fernando that have a combined population of 1.73 million. It is managed by the Aboitiz and Garcia families of Cebu.

Veco gets 9.21% of its power supply from WESM, where 2012 prices doubled to P9.9578/kWh in May from P4.8450/kWh in April. Veco gets the rest of its power supply from Napocor (29%), Cebu Energy Development Corp. (32.49%), Green Core Geothermal Inc. (25.14%) and Cebu Private Power Corp. (4.12%).

“The national government should take strides to lower power rates in Cebu. It can start by repealing the wrong national government policy that permits these price hikes to happen. It is high time for Congress to repeal the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 (Republic Act 9136) as it has not brought down power costs,” Casiño ended. # # #

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Submitted by makabayan national on Mon, 06/25/2012 - 02:28

Makabayan Coalition mourns Maita’s death

The Makabayan Coalition mourns the sudden demise, due to heart attack Thursday afternoon, of its founding co-chairperson, Maita Gomez, and pays tribute to her long service in our people's struggle for freedom, justice and peace.

Makabayan is a political coalition of eight Philippine progressive parties: Bayan Muna, Anakpawis, Gabriela, Kabataan, COURAGE, Migrante, ACT Teachers and Katribu.

"We in Makabayan are proud and honoured that she gladly accepted her nomination to co-chair the coalition in 2009, and she consistently and most capably performer her duties until her unexpected demise.” said Satur C.Ocampo, Makabayan president.

Ocampo added, that "Maita never failed to speak out on the issues being discussed and her points were always well taken – reflective of her intellectual acumen and wisdom, built up from a multifaceted life and deep involvement in our people’s struggle.”

Makabayan was only the latest of many organizations to which Maita lent her unstinting support and leading participation, Ocampo pointed out, "after distinguishing herself as a selfless and dedicated fighter-organizer among the masses in the countryside in the armed underground movement during the Marcos dictatorship." She suffered arrest and detention for that, but managed to escape from military detention, he added.

"Maita has etched her indelible mark in our people's struggle, yet she retained her humility throughout and, yes, her peculiar sense of humor," Ocampo concluded.

Her wake is at the Funeraria Paz in Manila Memorial park in Paranaque.# # #

Casiño calls for government all out support for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises as solution to brain drain

At the celebration of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Development Week at the Megatrade Hall 2 & 3 in Megamall, Party list Rep. Teddy Casiño called on the Aquino administration for all out support for MSMEs, saying that this is what the country needs to lower unemployment rate and jump start the economy.

Casiño, who chairs the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship Development in the House, was the special guest of honor during the opening of the exhibit titled 'Eats more Fun in the Philippines' Medium and Small Enterprise Development Week which will run from July 12 to 15.

"We can stem the brain drain if we are able to provide enough jobs and livelihoods in the local economy.
Though there is still no substitute for comprehensive industrialization coupled with genuine agrarian reform for the development of our economy, increased government support for MSMEs will be a good start,” said the progressive solon.

According to a Bureau of Labor and Employment Statistics (BLES) report, the number of S&T workers who opted for overseas jobs rose from 9,877 in 1998 to 24,502 in 2009.

For the economy and the business climate to improve in the country, Casiño said e country should start on the needs of our own local entrepreneurs. "The following steps are definitely in order: 1. Reduce the cost of electricity and oil by initially removing or reducing the VAT and in the long term by bringing back regulation and government support; 2. Reduce the stringent requirements, fees and processes for putting up and sustaining a business or company; 3. Allow small firms to reap the benefits of historically low credit interest rates by rationalizing our credit systems; 4. Come up with a national strategy to consolidate micro and small firms in order to link them up with medium and large scale enterprises."“It will teach our countrymen to rely on our own strength, ingenuity and resources instead of going abroad to work and add to the increasing incidence of brain drain,” he added.

The MSME sector is comprised of more than 750,000 firms, accounting for 99.6% of total establishments and contributing 61.2% of total employment in the country. While as of the moment most MSMEs are into the production of consumer goods, mostly food and retail services, government support can lead to diversity, as well as eventual growth and expansion. Casiño said a healthy MSME sector is crucial in boosting the country towards national industrialization.“# # #

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Submitted by makabayan national on Thu, 07/12/2012 - 07:42

Casiño calls for revamp of DOE and PNOC

Amid increasing power rates and impending oil price hikes Party list Rep. Teddy Casiño today called for the revamp of the Department of Energy, the Philippine National Oil Company (PNOC), Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. (PSALM) and other agencies directly involved in the power and energy industry. Casiño said the power shortages in Mindanao, the looming energy crisis in Luzon and the recurrent increase in the prices of petroleum products are glaring proofs that the executives of these agencies have failed miserably in their jobs.

“Most of these executives lack the knowledge and experience in handling energy matters while some are serving as stooges of the big players in the energy industry,” said the progressive solon.

Casiño particularly cited DOE Secretary Jose Almendras, who was a top executive of Ayala and Aboitiz companies and DOE Undersecretary Jose Layug who was a legal counsel of Chevron before they joined the government service.

“How can you expect Sec. Almendras to strictly supervise and regulate the oil companies and the suppliers of power and energy whose interest they used to manage and promote?” the lawmaker added.

He also said that Pres. Aquino should not have appointed Sec. Almendras in an energy sector related office and that both officials should have declined their appointments to avoid possible conflict of interest.

PNOC President Antonio Cailao was also singled out by Casiño as among those who should be replaced for questionable actuations including his favorable treatment of Shell and Chevron in the Malampaya venture. PNOC Pres. Cailao proposed the extension of the Malampaya contract by another 13 years and even supported the US1$ Billion expense for building two new oil well heads.

Bayan Muna has persistently been advocating thoroughgoing reforms in the power and energy sector and had filed bills to repeal the EPIRA law and the Oil Deregulation Law. It has criticized government actions in the energy sector that led to mounting debts and very high electricity rates that have become unaffordable to the consumers. It has also been critical of the highly disadvantageous Malampaya Contract which grants big foreign oil firms billions of dollars in profit to the detriment of the Filipino people.

“We tried to give these officials the benefit of the doubt when they were appointed but it seems that they have the interests of the Big 3 and power companies at heart instead of the welfare of consumers,” ended Casiño. # # #

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Submitted by makabayan national on Sun, 07/08/2012 - 07:49

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