Finally, the country can soon boast of a cohesive all-in-one institution that will focus on technical know-how and enable the Philippines to keep up with technological innovations and energy and policy research, Senator Win Gatchalian said.

After 18 years and seven Congresses, the bill seeking to regulate the liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) industry to ensure consumer welfare against illegally refilled and poor quality cylinders will finally be enacted into law.

With no less than President Duterte himself giving marching orders to concerned government agencies to ensure the full implementation of the streamlined permitting process provided under the Energy Virtual One-Stop Shop (EVOSS) Act, Senator Win Gatchalian said this shows the continuing commitment of the country’s Chief Executive to fight red tape.

Senator Win Gatchalian reiterated his call for the Department of Energy (DOE) to be transparent in its review of the sale of Shell Philippines Exploration BV’s (SPEX) entire stake in the Malampaya gas field project to Malampaya Energy XP Pte. Ltd., a subsidiary of Udenna Corporation owned by businessman Dennis Uy.

Senator Win Gatchalian said that the Senate Committee on Energy has been reviewing the performance of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) and its compliance with its obligations under the constitution, the EPIRA, its franchise, and concession agreement.

Raising concerns over yellow and red alerts threatening the Luzon grid, Senator Win Gatchalian urged the Department of Energy (DOE) to exercise its mandate to resolve the issues surrounding the impending shutdown of operations of three hydroelectric power plants in Benguet province.

To encourage large power consumers to invest in the electricity sector and develop the use of indigenous and renewable energy (RE) resources, Senator Win Gatchalian proposed the removal of the 100 kilowatt size limit in the installation of power generation facilities under the net metering program through Senate Bill No. 2219.

To lure more companies to engage in the generation of electricity in the country, Senator Win Gatchalian is seeking the lifting of the public offering requirement provision in the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 or the EPIRA law.

Senator Win Gatchalian moved for the conduct of inquiry in the Senate on the recent spate of rotational brownouts in Luzon in the hope of providing a long-term solution to electricity supply shortages especially during the summer season.