CBCP seeks repeal of oil deregulation law
Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) Public Affairs Committee head Bishop Deogracias Iñiguez on Monday said the government should look into the possibility of repealing the oil dregulation law to help mitigate the effects of soaring oil price increases.
"Dahil sa pataas na pataas na presyo ng langis, dapat sana ay i-regulate na rin ng gobyerno ang presyo nito dahil a marami ng mga tao ang nahihirapan," he said.
Meanwhile, the CBCP official called on the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) to exert more efforts to counter the steep oil and electricity rates in the country.
He said that the ERC has the right to regulate the power sector. "They should see sa mga nangyayaring ito na it (ERC) has to put more extra efforts na tulungan ang tao laban sa mataas na presyo ng kuryente."
Iñiguez said regulating these prices would be the next best thing to do aside from running public utility firms such as power and fuel.
On Sunday, Senator Joker Arroyo urged the ERC to act on lowering power rates by itself without depending on the possibility of having changes in the Electric and Power Industry Reform Act (Epira).
He added that, in case the government creates a fuel regulatory body similar to the ERC, the administration should appoint individuals who have knowledge in running the fuel industry. (PNA)