Calls to repeal the Electric Power Industry Reform Act, or EPIRA, were renewed as the law marked its 25th year, with critics saying it failed to bring down electricity rates and instead worsened the burden on consumers.
Gabriela Women’s Party-list Rep. Sarah Elago said EPIRA’s promises of cheaper power, stronger competition, and better service have not been fulfilled more than two decades after its passage.
“Dalawampu’t limang taon matapos ipasa ang EPIRA, bigo itong maghatid ng mura, maaasahan, at abot-kayang kuryente. Sa halip, pinayagan nito ang dominasyon ng malalaking pribadong korporasyon sa sektor ng enerhiya habang patuloy na pinapasan ng mamamayan ang napakataas na singil sa kuryente,” Elago said.
Elago said the law strengthened the control of private corporations over the power sector while Filipino households continue to face high electricity costs.
She said rising power rates have hit low-income families the hardest, forcing many households to reduce spending on food, education, healthcare, and other basic needs just to pay their monthly electricity bills.
“Habang lumalaki ang kita ng mga power generation companies at iba pang private players sa industriya, milyon-milyong Pilipino ang napipilitang magtipid sa pagkain, edukasyon, at iba pang batayang pangangailangan para lamang mabayaran ang kanilang bill sa kuryente,” she added.
Aside from calling for EPIRA’s repeal, Elago also pushed for the immediate removal of the 12 percent value-added tax on electricity, saying power is a basic necessity that should not be further burdened by taxes.
“Ang kuryente ay isang batayang pangangailangan. Walang katwiran ang patuloy na pagpapataw ng VAT sa kuryente habang hirap na hirap ang mamamayan sa tumataas na presyo ng mga bilihin at serbisyo,” she said.
Elago also urged Congress to pass House Bill 4774, or the Presyo Ibaba Act, which seeks to remove VAT on electricity, water, toll fees, petroleum products, and other basic necessities. The measure also proposes the repeal of excise taxes on oil products.
“Dapat gawing prayoridad ng gobyerno ang pagpapasa ng Presyo Ibaba Bill at iba pang batas na magpapababa ng presyo ng batayang bilihin at serbisyo. Kung tunay na nais ng gobyerno na tugunan ang krisis sa mataas na presyo, dapat nitong ibasura ang EPIRA at iba pang mga patakarang nagpapayaman sa iilan at magpatupad ng mga hakbang na magpapagaan sa buhay ng ordinaryong Pilipino,” Elago said.