Citing the urgency in providing the much-needed aid to all those affected in the transport sector, Senator Win Gatchalian called out the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and local government units (LGUs) to act with dispatch on the release and distribution of fuel subsidies to the 113,000 tricycle drivers and delivery services who are among the intended 337,443 beneficiaries of the P2.5 billion Pantawid Pasada program of the government.

Senator Win Gatchalian urged the Department of Energy (DOE) to intensify its monitoring activities against profiteers taking advantage of consumers by imposing exorbitant pump prices of fuel products amid the escalation of cost of fuels in the world and domestic markets.

Senator Win Gatchalian warned the National Electrification Administration (NEA) and the Department of Energy (DOE) to recall NEA’s most recent memoranda in appointing general managers (GMs) of electric cooperatives (ECs) saying that NEA violated the law as it went beyond its supervisory powers.

Senator Win Gatchalian called on the Department of Energy (DOE) and power utilities to draw up contingency measures to address the imminent power interruptions, especially during the election period, due to thinning power supply.

In what appears to be a groundswell of support from among stakeholders in the energy sector, the national umbrella organization of renewable energy associations is the latest group that has openly endorsed the re-election bid of Senator Win Gatchalian.

The 13.5 million-strong National Center of Electric Cooperatives Consumers Inc. (NCECCO) has endorsed Senator Win Gatchalian’s re-election bid for being a strong advocate of providing reliable and quality services to electricity consumers.

For railroading the approval of the sale of participating interest of Chevron in Malampaya gas field, key officials of the Department of Energy (DOE) led by Secretary Alfonso Cusi are criminally and administratively liable for graft, gross neglect of duty, and grave misconduct and should immediately resign from their posts, Senator Win Gatchalian said.

Expect the spur of microgrid development in rural areas in the country now that it has been institutionalized and the possibility of realizing total electrification of every household by year end, Senator Win Gatchalian said.

Instead of passing the buck, Senator Win Gatchalian urged the Department of Energy (DOE) to address the power supply situation in the country before it gets worse since it has the legal mandate and power to compel industry players to follow policies on energy security.