President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. on Tuesday said the government is working on interventions to prevent the possible power rate hike especially as the Christmas season nears.
In an interview with the media during his visit to the International Rice Research Institute in Los Baños, Laguna, Marcos reiterated his concern over the 60-day temporary suspension of the power supply agreement between San Miguel Corp. and Meralco which may cause increase in electric prices.
“Iyon talaga ang tinatrabaho namin ngayon na hindi tumaas ang fuel. Not this, not for Christmas man lang. If we could postpone and padahan-dahanin lang natin. Kung tataas man, dahan-dahanin natin ang taas,” he said.
The President said power rates should not be an additional burden to the public.
On Nov. 24, the 14th division of the Court of Appeals issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) against Meralco in favor of San Miguel Corp.’s South Premiere Power Corporation (SPPC).
The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) earlier warned that the issued TRO might be affecting 7.5 million Meralco consumers in the National Capital Region and other areas in Central Luzon and Calabarzon due to foreseen higher electricity prices.
Meanwhile, Marcos also reiterated his campaign promise of lowering the prices of rice to Php 20 per kilo remains his goal.
“We are trying to do... We are continuing with the transfer payments that we have begun with. We are going to widen the scope of Kadiwa,” he said.
The “Kadiwa ng Pasko” is a program launched by the Marcos administration. It aims to provide a marketplace for local agricultural producers.
The Kadiwa stores are offering Php 25 per kilo of rice and other goods at a lower price.
At least 14 Kadiwa stores were already launched nationwide – 11 in Metro Manila, one in Tacloban City, one in Davao de Oro, and one in Koronadal City, South Cotabato.
"I'm hoping that we can... we will see some adjustment in prices for Christmas and it looks like baka naman swertehin tayo,” Marcos said.
