RESOLUTION RESPECTFULLY REITERATING THE REQUEST TO THE HONORABLE ARNAN C. PANALIGAN AND THE HONORABLE ALFONSO V. UMALI JR., REPRESENTATIVES OF THE FIRST AND SECOND DISTRICTS OF ORIENTAL MINDORO, RESPECTIVELY, TO CAUSE THE FILING OF A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO CONDUCT A PARLIAMENTARY INQUIRY AND INVESTIGATION, IN AID OF LEGISLATION, REGARDING THE EXORBITANT ELECTRICITY RATES CHARGED BY THE ORIENTAL MINDORO ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, INC. (ORMECO) AND THE FREQUENT BROWNOUTS EXPERIENCED BY ITS CONSUMERS

WHEREAS, this body previously passed Resolution No. 357, Series of 2024, formally requesting congressional intervention regarding the long-standing power crisis in the Province of Oriental Mindoro;

WHEREAS, despite past appeals, dialogues, and regulatory interventions, the consumers of the Oriental Mindoro Electric Cooperative, Inc. (ORMECO) continue to be burdened by exorbitant electricity rates that place a severe financial strain on average households and local businesses alike;

WHEREAS, alongside these prohibitive power costs, the province remains plagued by persistent, unscheduled, and frequent brownouts that disrupt the daily lives, peace, and order of the communities;

WHEREAS, these recurring and unpredictable power interruptions continue to paralyze the operations of local enterprises, cause extensive damage to electronic equipment and appliances, and severely compromise the delivery of critical public services, most notably in hospitals and healthcare facilities;

WHEREAS, the persistent failure to provide a stable, reliable, and reasonably priced power supply severely hampers the socio-economic growth and overall development potential of Oriental Mindoro;

WHEREAS, there is an urgent and burning need for a higher, transparent parliamentary inquiry to deeply examine the systemic operational and financial issues within ORMECO, review power supply agreements, and establish long-term legislative remedies to protect consumer welfare;

WHEREAS, Congressman Arnan C. Panaligan and Congressman Alfonso V. Umali Jr., as the vanguard leaders and legislative representatives of the province, possess the necessary authority to champion this cause on the floor of the House of Representatives;

NOW THEREFORE, on motion of Councilor Sheikhnia Grace C. Sanz and on mass sponsorship

BE IT RESOLVED to respectfully reiterate the request to the Honorable Arnan C. Panaligan and the Honorable Alfonso V. Umali Jr., Representatives of the First and Second Districts of Oriental Mindoro, respectively, to cause the filing of a House Resolution to conduct a parliamentary inquiry and investigation, in aid of legislation, regarding the exorbitant electricity rates charged by ORMECO and the frequent brownouts experienced by its consumers.

RESOLVED FURTHER, that copies of this Resolution be immediately forwarded to the Offices of Congressman Arnan C. Panaligan and Congressman Alfonso V. Umali Jr. for their preferential attention, utmost consideration, and prompt action. Let copies also be furnished to the National Electrification Administration (NEA), the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), and the Management and Board of Directors of ORMECO for their information.

APPROVED