DILIMAN, Quezon City — Following the 'disallowance' of the expenses of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), Albay District II representative Jose Maria Clemente 'Joey' Salceda disclosed that the House Quinta Committee will now bent its efforts on pursuing probes for the purpose of achieving cheap energy and 'pivot' its previous task as well in order to help achieve cheap food to consumers.

In an interview by Senior Times, the chairman of the House ways and means committee and lead chair of the Quinta Committee asserted that the lower chamber, under the leadership of Housr Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez is keen to seek the 'refund' of more than ₱200 billion to its consumers, which was 'disallowed” in the expenses of the NGCP.

“The Speaker has issued instructions to go after price excesses in the power sector next. So, we will soon convene a Murang Kuryente Supercommittee. The panel will be taking up issues that have already a clear way forward,” Salceda pointed out.

He clarified that among the actions that the supercommittee will take is the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC)’s finding of some ₱206 billion in disallowed public relations, advertising and other expenses in the 2016-2020 period, when the NGCP collected in excess of allowed annual revenues.

“The Energy Regulatory Commission had already released this finding late last year. It’s time for action now. In the distribution sector, when utilities collect in excess of allowed revenues, they usually refund the excess collections without much issue. The transmission sector, a national monopoly, should have no issue doing the same,” he explained.

In addition, the Bicolano lawmaker likewise announced that the Speaker has also given instructions to study windfall taxes on excessive profits by power sector participants and plow such resources into consumer refunds and Pantawid Kuryente.

In conclusion, Salceda said his ways and means committee would be holding joint probes with the House committees on trade and industry, agriculture and food, social services and special committee on food security.