One of the promises of Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA), when it was passed in 2001, was to reduce the cost of electricity. However, in FDC’s computation, this was not the case. In fact, electricity rates skyrocketed from P5/kwh before EPIRA to P10/kwh as of today and will increase even more when all rate applications will be granted.

EPIRA was one of the policy impositions/conditionalities of the Asian Development Bank (ADB). This law also pushed for the privatization of state-owned assets. In return, the Philippine Government was able to get a loan for the Power Sector Restructuring Program (PSRP) and the Power Sector Development Program (PSDP) in 2001. Privatization of public utilities like power means that the people are under the mercy of these private corporations whose main agenda is PROFIT not public service.

These IFIs such as ADB and World Bank claim to fight poverty. However, they imposed policy conditionalities such as deregulation, privatization, liberalization and contractualization, which in the long run became detrimental to the economic and social development of poor countries such as the Philippines. It violated the sovereignty of countries. Worst, these have affected the poor and most vulnerable communities.

These IFIs claim to help the poor but what kind of model in helping do they follow? Helping with strings and conditions attached? Is this the Christian way of helping the poor?

Come and join communities, cities and provinces as they shut their power off on 10.11.11, 7:30-8:00 PM in protest of high electricity rates. If your community is interested to join, please email us your exact location (barangay, city, province).  

Maria Fatima “JOFTI” Villena
Project Coordinator
Faith-based Congress Against Immoral Debts (FCAID)
Mobile No.: +639088945174

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