ALBAY Second District Rep. Jose Maria Clemente “Joey” Salceda defended on Friday his measure amending the 84-year-old Public Service Act (PSA) that includes redefining the term “public utility,” saying it would create more jobs in certain industries and bolster competition. Approved on second reading at the House on Tuesday, HB 78 seeks to limit the definition of public utility to power distribution and transmission, and water pipeline distribution or sewerage pipeline system. It also distinguishes that term from “public service,” which telecommunications and transportation businesses would fall under. Those under public utility still follow the 60-percent Filipino, 40-percent foreign ownership rule set by the 1987 Constitution. He said the PSA needed to be amended “ to end unfair protection and to enable economic dynamism.”“Our laws are riddled with unfair and irrational protection for so many sectors.

Source: Manila Times February 21, 2020 18:00 UTC