📷: CBKPOWER.COM
Former House Deputy Minority Leader and Bayan Muna Congressman Carlos Isagani Zarate strongly criticized the Marcos administration’s plan to privatize the Caliraya-Botocan-Kalayaan (CBK) hydroelectric power plant (HEPP) complex, warning that such a move would lead to higher electricity rates that will burden Filipino consumers.
“Privatization has repeatedly proven to drive up costs for consumers,” Zarate said, reacting to reports that the Department of Finance (DoF) aims to generate at least $200 million from the CBK privatization. “Instead of learning from past mistakes, this administration is doubling down on policies that prioritize corporate profits over the welfare of ordinary Filipinos.”
Zarate emphasized that the privatization of public utilities like power plants has historically resulted in higher electricity prices, reduced government control over essential services, and limited accountability. He urged the government to abandon the privatization plan and instead focus on building more power stations under public ownership as a long-term solution to stabilize and lower electricity rates.
“Ang desisyong ito ay hindi para sa kapakinabangan ng mamamayan. Ang privatization ay hindi sagot sa problema ng mataas na singil sa kuryente. Sa halip, dapat tayong magtayo ng mas maraming power stations na pagmamay-ari ng gobyerno upang makontrol ang presyo ng kuryente,” Zarate stated.
The CBK complex, which includes the Philippines’ only operational pumped-storage hydroelectric facility, is a critical renewable energy asset. Zarate warned that its privatization would deliver control of this vital resource to private corporations whose primary interest is profit, not public service.
“Halos naubos na ng privatization ang government power assets sa ilalim ng EPIRA simula noong 2001, pero as of April 30, 2024, may utang pa rin ang National Power Corporation (Napocor) na halos P292.5 billion. Dahil dito, kailangang i-extend ang buhay ng PSALM ng isa pang sampung taon hanggang 2036. Malinaw na isang malaking kabiguan ang privatization,” Zarate explained.
“Ang gobyerno ay lubog pa rin sa utang, pero pinagkakitaan na nang husto ng mga power oligarchs ang mga na-privatize na power assets. Ngayon, sa CBK privatization, sinong power oligarch o crony ni [President] Marcos Jr. na naman ang makikinabang dito—lahat sa kapinsalaan ng taumbayan?” Zarate asked.
“The privatization of CBK will not bring down electricity rates. It will only jack them up further. Filipino consumers are already struggling with unaffordable power rates, and this move will make things worse,” Zarate said in English.
Zarate also pointed out that if CBK were efficiently operated by the state for public service, it could serve as a deterrent to the profit-seeking schemes of power oligarchs such as Meralco. “Ang CBK, sa ilalim ng isang mahusay na pamamahala ng gobyerno, ay maaaring maging pangunahing sandata laban sa kasakiman ng mga oligarko sa kuryente na walang ibang iniisip kundi tubo,” he said.
“The Marcos administration must stop this sell-out of our country’s resources. Nationalizing the power industry and ensuring government control over energy generation and distribution is the only way to protect consumers and bring down electricity costs,” he added.
Zarate also highlighted the broader implications of privatization, pointing out that it contradicts the country’s clean energy and economic goals. “We need a public-driven approach to energy development that prioritizes sustainable, affordable, and accessible electricity for all. Selling off critical infrastructure like CBK undermines this vision.”
“Ang gobyerno dapat ang may kontrol sa mga pangunahing serbisyo tulad ng kuryente. Sa halip na ibenta ang CBK, dapat itong gawing modelo ng renewable energy na magpapababa ng singil sa kuryente para sa lahat,” Zarate concluded.
Zarate called on the public to resist the privatization of CBK and similar government assets, warning that such policies will only exacerbate the country’s energy and economic crises. He also urged Congress to investigate the impacts of past privatization efforts on electricity rates and propose alternatives that would advance the national interest.
“Ang laban para sa abot-kayang kuryente ay laban ng bawat Pilipino,” Zarate ended. “Dapat natin ipaglaban ang pambansang interes laban sa ganitong klaseng pagsasamantala.” #
