Lawmaker calls for revamp of energy, power agencies

REPRESENTATIVE Teddy Casiño called on Sunday for the revamp of the Department of Energy (DOE), the Philippine National Oil Company (PNOC), Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. and other agencies directly involved in the power and energy industry.

Casiño said 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,” the lawmaker said.

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 Secretary 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 said.

He also said that President Benigno Aquino III should not have appointed 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.

Cailao proposed the extension of the Malampaya contract by another 13 years and even supported the US$1-billion expense for building two new oil well heads.