Fishers warn of power protest

Manila, Philippines – The fisherfolk alliance Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) warned President Benigno S. Aquino III yesterday that the looming increase in electricity rates this May is inviting the Filipino people to stage a nationwide electrifying protest and express their high voltage outrage if Malacañang and the Energy Regulatory Commission... 

EPIRA blamed for power crisis

Manila, Philippines – The Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) and the willy-nilly privatization of the power sector are the key issues that will lead to a power crisis in Mindanao. Jojo Borja of Iligan Light and Power Inc. (ILPI) said the law has made it easy for only two families to control the country’s power sector, insisting that the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC)... 

NEA termination pay plan OK

Manila, Philippines – The Supreme Court (SC) has affirmed the validity of the termination pay plan adopted by the board of administrators of the National Electrification Administration (NEA) in implementing the reorganization of the agency in 2003. In a decision written by Justice Presbitero J. Velasco Jr., the SC ruled that the NEA board has the power to adopt a reorganization... 

GSIS resumes payment of retirement benefits of NPC pensioners

MANILA, Philippines (PNA) -– State-pension fund Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) on Friday said it will resume the payment of monthly retirement and pension benefits of more than 1,500 National Power Corp. (NPC) pensioners affected by the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) of 2001. GSIS president and general manager Robert G. Vergara said the move was followed the...