Baronda seeks higher 2021 budget for ERC

Iloilo City Representative Julienne “Jamjam” Baronda has sought to increase the Energy Regulatory Commission’s (ERC) allocation for next year.

Under the proposed 2021 national budget, the ERC will only get P564 million or 48 percent of the P1.1 billion it requested from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).

Baronda, who serves as Assistant Majority Floor Leader, said the ERC needs higher budget to speed up the issuance of permits and licenses to power firms.

According to ERC Chairperson Agnes Devanadera, the P1.1 billion budget is equivalent to about P200 billion worth of investments to the government.

“If ERC will be granted the budgetary items for consideration, then we will be able to attain – we are committed – to be able to deliver about P200 billion in investment,” she said.

The ERC is among the government agencies affected by budget cuts due to the realignment provisions in the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act and the DBM’s belt-tightening circular for pandemic response.IMT