Tulfo warns power firms vs price exploitation amid Super El Niño

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Erwin Tulfo has warned power companies against taking advantage of extreme weather conditions such as the “Super El Niño,” by imposing unjustified rate hikes or delivering substandard service.

“While rate adjustments are expected due to supply and demand dynamics, any price increase must remain fair and reasonable. It should not worsen the financial burden already felt by Filipino families on a daily basis,” said Tulfo, chair of the Senate committee on energy.

“I will not hesitate to exercise oversight functions if power generation companies or distribution utilities exploit the climate crisis to maximize profits,” he added.

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READ: DOE: El Niño may hike power rates, outages

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The Department of Energy (DOE) and various electric distribution earlier cautioned the public about expected electricity price spikes and rolling blackouts.

Tulfo also urged the DOE and Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) to protect consumers not only from abusive pricing but also from the looming electricity rate hikes and outages.

“The public deserves transparency and fairness. As the country braces for this climate phenomenon, the energy sector must prioritize public welfare over excessive corporate gains,” he said.

He added that the Senate panel will hold accountable anyone attempting to abuse the market at the expense of ordinary Filipino consumers.

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“We cannot just sit back, monitor, and watch power rates skyrocket while our consumers suffer the heat and economic burden of a Super El Niño,” he said.

Tulfo said that the DOE and the ERC must fast-track implementation of proactive, concrete mitigation plans and ironclad safeguards to ensure that supply remains stable and that no artificial shortages are engineered to justify price spikes. /das