Senator Raffy Tulfo on Wednesday said government agencies and stakeholders from the energy sector must stop the blame game on issues concerning the persistent and recurring power outages and blackouts in different parts of the country, even blaming the trees and animals for the perennial brownouts.

During the Senate Committee on Energy Public Hearing presided by Tulfo on Tuesday (Sept. 6), Tulfo said that instead of pointing fingers, all parties involved should work together and exert concerted efforts to solve the issue of brownouts and high cost of electricity.

“Dapat ay mag-usap usap kayo at magkaisa para maresolbahan po natin ang problema ng taumbayan. Walang imposible kung lahat ng concerned agencies at stakeholders ay magkakaisa para hanapan ng solusyon ang isang problema, gaano pa man kahirap iyan (You should talk and unite so that we can solve the problem of the people. Nothing is impossible if all concerned agencies and stakeholders come together to find a solution to a problem, no matter how difficult it may be),” he said.

Tulfo made the statement during the hearing after stakeholders from different energy sectors, cooperatives and regulators showed lack of communication between and among them as they failed to admit their shortcomings on issues involving power outages.

For one, no one admitted their shortcomings when Occidental Mindoro Vice Governor Anecita Apigo-Tayag raised her concern about the persistent brownouts in the province, the longest of which reaching up to 36 hours.

Department of Energy Secretary (DOE) Secretary Raphael Lotilla, who was present during the hearing, acknowledged the senator’s call to ensure coordination among all involved parties, saying, “This is a difficult time for all of the parties but we will make sure that there is coordination among agencies.” (PNA)