Solon tags brownouts as nat’l security threat
SENATOR Raffy Tulfo has warned that recurring power outages in different provinces may pose a “national security risk” by inviting terroristic attacks and criminal activities during said brownouts.
Tulfo was quoted as saying “Ayoko pong dumating ‘yung panahon na magigising tayo sa isang umaga na iba na ang namumuno sa ating bayan dahil tayo ay nalusob na ng foreign elements dahil sa kapabayaan sa isyu of national concern.”
The power outage problem needs to be addressed before it gets worse, Tulfo said, adding that the government has failed to address the recurring periods of brownouts, which now pose a serious threat to maintaining peace and order in the country.
Tulfo expressed alarm saying, “Maaring lusubin o i-overrun ng mga insurgents, terrorists at iba pang mga criminal elements ang mga police stations, military outposts, and other government facilities. Itse-tsempo lamang nila ang aksyon nila tuwing mayroong unannounced brownout. Itong patuloy na pagba-brownout sa iba’t-ibang panig ng Pilipinas is becoming a serious national security threat. This has to be addressed because terrorists, insurgents and other criminal elements could take advantage of the situation.”
Tulfo is also alarmed at the adverse effect of persistent and rotational brownouts on the health and safety of the Filipinos, especially the poor.
“Malaki ang banta nito sa kaligtasan ng mga mahihirap nating kababayan, partikular na sa mga pasyente sa mga ospital, clinics, o centers na walang generator. Buhay ng mga pasyente na nasa kalagitnaan ng medical procedures ang nalalagay sa panganib tuwing magkakaroon ng unannounced brownout,” he said.
Tulfo, who chairs the Senate Committee on Energy, has already called out officials from underperforming electric cooperatives like Oriental Mindoro Electric Cooperative (ORMECO), as he vowed to get to the bottom of the problems of power outages.
Tulfo filed Senate Resolution (PSR) No. 107, calling for a probe into the rotational blackouts in different parts of the country and the rising cost of electricity amid these power interruptions.
Under his watch, Tulfo reiterated that he will do everything in his power to lessen the suffering of Filipino consumers and protect national security.
Additionally, Tulfo stated: “Magmula nang naging Chairman ako ng Energy Committee, ang dami akong nakitang mga katiwalian sa enerhiya sa ating bansa and atin po yang ibubunyag sa mga darating na senate hearing and I will make sure na magkakaroon ng live coverage ang lahat ng mga pandinig para sa kaalaman ng publiko.”
Tulfo is set to start the Senate investigation on the recurring problems of power outages in far-flung areas this coming week.
