a t0 senators: Pass amended Public Service Act

ALBAY Rep. Joey Salceda bas sectors, paf,ticularly transporta-

urged senators to expedite the tion. power and telecommunica-
approval of their Senaie ve$ion tions.
of the proposed amendments to The legal redefinition of the
the 80-year-old Public Service terms, Salceda said, is a first
Act during the remaining two- "vital step" to new economic re-
week session of Consress next forms that will usher in healthv
May.
.In' statement, Salceda said try sectors. in important indus"-
competitions

passing the amended measure Quoting a recent World Bank

would "break the barriers to study, Salceda said the Philippine
investments and comDetition economy had remained "highly
in certain industrv sect6m that concenhated" compared to other
hamper the countiy's sustained, countries in the region, "wbich
broader and hisher traiectorv of means less competition-and
ecdtromit expaision."' thus high prices, less jobs and
Salceda is one of the orinci- value created."
pal authors of House Bili 5828 Tbe World Bank studv said
approved by the House in 2017 letting more players entei these
whicb is now pending in the Sen- vital indusrries could improve
ate. services. generate higher-paying
The Senate has approved on Jobs and, ultimately, hasten pov-
second reading its version of the erly reduction.
measure. Tackling it "would be The Albay lawmaker noted
the best use ofthe two weeks of that the vagueness of the two
session! next May," he said in his concepts "has led to business un-
statement released bv his office. certainty, fewer investments and
HB 5828 seeks to redefine the limited consumer choices." HB
concepts of 'Public Service' and 5828, he added, "aims to ensure
'Public Utilities' in the old PSA the proper implementation of
law that are often interchanee- Section 11, Art. XII of the Phil-
ably used by monopolies, duoio- ippine Constitution, which states
lies and oligopolies to suit t6eir that only companies which are
purpose wbich discourage Doten- 60 percent ormed by Filipinos
tial investors in some-iniustry may operate public utilities."

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