EMERGENCY POWER

Last week PNoy requested Congress for emergency power to resolve problems related to shortage of electric power in the country. Congress leadership then promised to provide such power, however executive department shall specify what emergency power they require. So, the two branches of government are not aligned on certain subject. It looks to me that one is having a problem on its own and just kept it for himself and because the resolution is inevitably impossible, then it’s time to share the burden to others. Am I right, sirs?

Have you heard of Philippine Energy Plan for Y2009 up to Y2030? Maybe not, I’m afraid so. I’ll surely understand since such plan will never be posted in social media (FB, IG, Twitter, etc.). The energy plan is initiated of course by the Department of Energy (DOE) and can be viewed in its website: https://www.doe.gov.ph/doe_files/pdf/01_Energy_Situationer/2009-2030-PEP.pdf. With the PEP being studied and devised, what is then the purpose of the emergency power requested by PNoy?  In practical terms, you only asked for immediate help is there’s a situation that requires urgent solution, in the absence of a certain plan. In this case, the energy plan is up to Y2030 and we are still on the last quarter of Y2014.

Oh sorry, PEP is not only for power requirement but also for other related energy that requires planning and management including its utilization and conservation such as oil & gas. Nevertheless, we’ll focus the discussion on electric power otherwise our discussion will be longer and you’ll end up snoring while reading my blog.

As a professional who’s into construction management business, I understand that long term plans such as PEP require annual evaluation for future fine-tuning and action. The same applies in electrical power requirement based on several factors such as population growth, business expansion, calamity, demographics, etc.., then required power generation can be forecasted. Compliance of forecast dates shall be followed seriously and mandatory execution of planned activities is a must. Should such will fail due to irresponsible managers, then problem arises.

As I opined, the reason for emergency power requirement by executive department on power generation projects is to: 1) Bypass bidding normal process. 2) Bypass regular procurement procedures. Both bidding and procurement, in normal terms, require sufficient period for evaluation both of technical and commercial proposal by contractors and vendors, respectively. Bear in the mind that non-compliance to normal procedures specially bids and material supply is prone to corruption due to absence of verification from various agencies assigned in accordance to law. Having said that, anything shortcut is not advisable and the best option is efficiency of assigned task which I guess not easy to find in government personnel specially those in appointed position hired because of political connection, not on broad experience and technical ability.

For PNoy to follow his straight path (daang matuwid), emergency power is not necessary, rather strengthen the potential of assigned personnel paid expensively to carry-out the work. Failure is unfortunately not an option and the same shall be infused to each member of the president’s cabinet.

 

My two cents....