Congress Grants Emergency Powers for PNoy

The House of Representatives on Wednesday approved on final reading President Benigno Aquino III’s request for special powers to address the reported power crisis next year.

In one session powered with 149-18 vote, the House passed Joint House Resolution 21 giving authority to the President to establish additional generating capacity for the Luzon grid through the Interruptible Load Program (ILP), fast-tracking of new committed projects and plants for interconnection and rehabilitation, as well as the implementation of energy efficiency measures.

ILP involves asking malls, factories and other businesses to use their own generator sets when the NGCP expects the supply of electricity to fall short of demand, GMA NEws Online report said.

House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. said the approved bill is a safeguard to ensure that the country will not suffer any brownouts next year.

The measure, which was certified urgent by the President, will now be transmitted to the Senate for its concurrence, report said.

Source: GMA News Online