TWO militant lawmakers yesterday pressed Malacañang to issue another directive similar to Executive Order (EO) No.  839 to prevent Manila Electric Company (Meralco) and other players in the power industry from imposing 25-centavo per kilowatt-hour (kwh) increase on electricity rates this month in the midst of the recent natural calamities.
    
In separate interviews, Bayan Muna Rep.  Neri Colmenares and Gabriela Rep.  Liza Maza said the government should expand the coverage of price freeze to include power rates, but this time on a national level.
   
“The government should extend coverage of price control to cover critical areas like power on a nationwide basis.  The times call for a strong pro-people intervention from government that will rein the abuses and inefficiencies of public utilities and services,” said Colmenares.
   
The government rejected calls from the local and foreign businessmen to lift the EO No.  839 which set the pump prices of petroleum products in Luzon at their Oct. 15 level, prompting the Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corporation to seek temporary restraining order (TRO) before a Manila Regional Trial Court (MRTC).
   
Despite the claims of Meralco vice president and utility economics head Ivanna de la Peña that the increase in generation charge was brought about by the rise in the cost of power purchased by Meralco from the National Power Corp. (Napocor) and its independent power producers (IPPs), Colmenares still blamed the country’s largest power distributor formerly contolled by the Lopez family for the impending power rate adjustment.
   
“Very insensate ang Meralco lalo na at ‘di pa nakaka-recover ang mga tao sa matinding calamities at papalapit na ang isa sa pinakamalungkot na Pasko,” said Colmenares.