The House Committee on Energy is eyeing to approve next week a substitute measure seeking the creation of the Philippine Energy Research and Policy Institute (PERPI) to bridge the research and policy gap in the country’s energy sector.
Marinduque lone District Rep. Lord Allan Jay Velasco, chairman of the panel, cited the need to establish a government research arm on energy policy that would enable the country to harness the latest and relevant researches on appropriate policy directions and adaptable technologies.
“I was wishing we were able to finish this today, let’s finish this next week. Let’s just wait for the comments of the Bureau of Treasury, and the DBM (Department of Budget and Management) and I think the DOE (Department of Energy) has still additional comments,” he said during the panel’s virtual deliberations on the substitute PERPI bill.
The said measure substituted House Bills 1193 and 1266, filed by Velasco and Deputy Speaker and Camarines 2nd District Rep. Luis Raymund “LRay” Villafuerte, respectively.
“We will ask the committee to give us already the substituted bill again as amended today so that before our meeting next week, before hearing next week, we can review it one last time before we approve the said bills,” Velasco told his panel members.
He noted that the Senate already approved on third and final reading its version of the PERPI bill.
The Velasco panel gave in to the proposed amendments of Marikina 2nd District Rep. Stella Luz Quimbo to the substitute measure. One of these amendments was to make the PERPI as a "non-stock, non-profit government corporation”, and have it attached to the Office of the UP President.
Among the objectives of the Institute are to conduct pertinent independent policy research on energy issues; provide timely technical assistance to the government on energy planning, and addressing energy issues needing policy direction and advice; establish mechanisms for dissemination and utilization of research for technology and policy development; create and administer training programs and provide appropriate fellowship grants intended to build the capacity of government agencies, public and private stakeholders, and the academe; and create and maintain a data bank needed for the implementation of its functions.
The amended substitute bill provides that the proposed Institute shall be headed by an Executive Director, who shall be a recognized expert in energy research and policy development with at least three years experience in energy, and shall have a strong organizational management background.
The Executive Director, who shall serve in full time capacity for a term of five years, shall be appointed by the UP President, upon the recommendation of the nine-man Advisory Council, within 60 days after the effectivity of the proposed Act.
The amended bill calls for the creation of a nine-man Advisory Council, which shall provide the general direction and priorities of the Institute and assist in generating resources and obtain logistical and financial support for the programs and component units of the Institute.
Sitting as ex-officio members of the Council are the Secretaries of the Department of Energy (DOE), and Department of Science and Technology (DOST), and the Director General of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).
The remaining six members shall be chosen by the UP President each representing any of the fields of engineering, law, science, statistics, economics, social science and public health.
The bill provides that public and other energy institutions shall have access to the research findings, facilities and other resources of the Institute in a manner as shall be provided in the implementing rules and regulations of the proposed Act.
The Institute shall not disclose any proprietary or confidential data and other resources unless prior consent of the source or owner of such data and resources has been obtained by the requesting party, it said.
The measures provide the establishment of an Endowment Fund to be managed and maintained by the Institute to finance its operations, including the purchase of research equipment, and facilities, compensation and honoraria of researchers, whether in government service or otherwise, and such other expenses necessary to carry out the purpose of the proposed Act.
It authorizes the Institute to accept into its Endowment Fund contributions, donations, bequests, grants, and loans from domestic and/or foreign sources, government appropriations, and other incomes accruing from the operations of the Institute, subject to the existing accounting and auditing rules and regulations .
"In order to support the Institute, an additional amount of one percent, but in no case lower than P10, of each energy related fee and charge imposed by the DOE, Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), and National Electrification Administration (NEA) shall be collected by the respective agencies and units for each application, registration, renewal, endorsement, processing and other related services for which the collection of fees and charges are allowed by law and rules and regulations. Such additional amounts shall, upon collection, be remitted immediately to the UP and shall form part of the Endowment Fund,” the amended bill provides.
The measure seeks P200 million funding for the initial operationalization of the Institute.
Within 60 days from the effectivity of the proposed Act, the University of the Philippines shall, in consultation with the DOE, DOST, NEDA, the academe, and other public and private stakeholders, promulgate the implementing rules and regulations of the proposed Act, subject to the approval of UP Board of Regents.