NO NEED FOR EMERGENCY POWERS -- PIMENTEL

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino "Nene" Q. Pimentel, Jr. (PDP-Laban) today said there is no need for the grant of emergency powers to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to solve the water and power crisis since she already has sufficient powers to deal with the situation.

Pimentel said he does not think that the use of emergency powers is necessary to hasten the purchase of imported coal and other fuel to run power generating plants.

Existing laws already authorize government officials to purchase materials and equipment through negotiated contracts, instead of going through public bidding, in case of emergency, he said.

However, Pimentel said the emergency purchase of coal by the National Power Corporation would have been avoided if it was farsighted enough to enter into long-term fuel supply contracts to meet its coal requirements.

"There is no need for emergency powers. The President has lots of powers and funds to remedy the water and power crisis," he said.

Pimentel also advised the executive branch not to slacken in implementing water and energy conservation measures, specially in government agencies.

He criticized the lack of mechanism to check whether government agencies are complying with conversation measures, and to impose sanctions against violators.