President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (center) during his 2024 State of the Nation Address speech on Monday, July 22, 2024. |Screenshot from RTVM/LIVE
MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday told Congress to determine if the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (Epira) needs to be amended.
Marcos made the pronouncement during his third State of the Nation Address, where he pointed out the power supply issues in several parts of the country.
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“Binabalikan at binubusisi natin muli ang Epira upang malaman kung angkop pa ba ito sa ating kasalukuyang sitwasyon o napapanahon na ito ay amyendahan,” said Marcos speech.
(We are going back and re-examining the Epira to find out if it is still suitable for our current situation or if it is time for it to be amended.)
“Hinihiling ko sa Kongreso na pagtutulungan na natin ito alang-alang sa kapakanan ng mga Pilipino. Sa taas ng presyo ng bansa, nahihirapan hindi lamang ang mga negosyante kundi [pati] na ang taong bayan.”
(I ask the Congress that we work together to consider it for the sake of the Filipinos, at the high price of the country, not only the businessmen are struggling but also the people.)
The Epira was enacted in 2021 during the time of Former President Gloria Arroyo. It aimed to ensure competitive electricity rates in the country.