Ex-Energy chief urges scrutiny of private sector's role in energy progress, failures

FORMER Energy Secretary Raphael P.M. Lotilla has urged greater scrutiny of private-sector players in the energy industry, saying they must be held accountable for both the sector’s progress and shortcomings.

- Sheldeen Joy Talavera

“Since the private sector is the one that is running and directing our energy sector from upstream to downstream, then they should take more responsibility for both failures and for advances in the sector,” he said during a briefing on Friday.

“Whenever there is a problem with power supply, our business sector and our consumers should not only look at DoE (Department of Energy) and the government for answers,” he added.

Mr. Lotilla said consumers are best positioned to assess his performance during his three-year term as head of the Energy department.

“I think I would leave that to be answered by you and by the public. What I’m just asking you is, are you better off now in terms of energy security and energy supply than before, than three years ago? So, you are the best judge for that,” he said.