MANILA, Philippines — Senator Erwin Tulfo on Thursday called for a comprehensive review of the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (Epira), saying lawmakers must determine whether the landmark law has fulfilled its promise to deliver affordable, reliable, and competitive electricity services to Filipino consumers after more than two decades of implementation.
The law was enacted in 2001 to restructure and liberalize the country's power industry by promoting competition, privatizing government-owned power assets, and ultimately lowering electricity costs.
Speaking at the Senate Committee on Energy hearing, Tulfo said the inquiry is not intended to undermine the law or assign blame but to assess whether its objectives have been achieved and whether legislative reforms are now necessary.
"After more than 20 years, it is only proper that we ask a simple but important question: Has the Epira Law really delivered on its promises?" the senator said.
He noted that many Filipinos continue to grapple with high electricity rates and recurring power outages despite the law's promise that competition in the power sector would eventually lead to lower prices.
"Many Filipinos are still asking why the price of our electricity remains so high in many parts of the country. Many do not understand why their electric bill continues to increase," he said.
"Frequent power outages are not only a nuisance in homes, but they also affect businesses, the education of young people, the operation of hospitals and even the entry of new investors," he added.
