section C national
filipino globe
news & views from home
May 2008
9
Malacanang
Survey cites
internet for
presses for cut
improved
English
in Meralco
Social Weather Stations president
Mahar Mangahas said the internet
has been instrumental in improving
Filipinos’ English proficiency.
He said the improvement was
power rates
both in written and spoken English
across sectors.
Citing a recent study, he said
Filipinos’ increasing dependence
on the internet has had the effect
of prodding them to learn its
Officials rule out state takeover of utility,
language, which is English.
He cautioned that the positive
but says electricy scheme needs review
results could induce complacency.
“There is no room for that,”
Mangahas said, adding that
Malacanang reiterated that the gov- cost of electricity,” Bunye said. In or-
measures should be taken to
ernment supports lowering power der to do that, he said the government
preserve the gains.
rates to make the country competitive has to take “a hard and serious look at
Not all were convinced, however.
in terms of productivity. all parts of the electricity generating Former Education secretary
Press Secretary and presidential and distribution chain.” Edilberto De Jesus called the
spokesman Ignacio Bunye, said the Executive Secretary Eduardo Er- results surprising.
stance “isn’t about Meralco. It is mita earlier said Malacanang has no
Meralco has been the subject of intense criticism from both the
“I hope the results will reflect
about responsible practices in an in- intention of taking over Meralco.
government and consumers because of its high power charges.
accurately the situation,” he said.
dustry that is critical to our economic “The government has always the
“We always will be in a position to ernment is trying to “influence the
“These were somewhat
development.” capability to run such a public utility.
surprising, the sudden turn-around
take over. Capability-wise, yes, we situation” and get the power firm to
“The President has made it very It’s just like taking over the operation
in just two years, but I know
have, but there is no intention [or] open its books to public scrutiny as
clear that our economy won’t be truly of an international airport,” Ermita
there is a great awareness in
nothing leading to it anyway.” part of efforts to bring down electric-
competitive until we bring down the said.
the importance of English to the
Ermita acknowledged that the gov- ity charges.
country,” De Jesus said.
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