The Palawan Electric Cooperative (PALECO) is against a bill that has been filed in Congress that will pave way for a private company to take over its operations as it will only increase the cost of electricity in the province.
Engr. Nelson Lalas, PALECO Acting Manager, argued, “The same line ang gagamitin nila, linya ng PALECO. Nagbago lang ang management pero the same instrument, the same venue; tumaas lang ang kuryente,”
He also said that the proposed takeover of MORE Reedbank Corporation is questionable since the franchise of PALECO still has 10 years before it expires. “How can another electric company take over if the existing franchise is still there?”
House Bill No. 8829, authored by Rep. Frederick Abueg and Rep. Gil Acosta, seeks to grant MORE Reedbank Corporation a franchise to establish, operate and maintain a distribution system of electric power to the end-users of Palawan.
During President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s visit in Palawan on November 2018, he has taken note of the complaints against PALECO, which includes the frequent and long power outages and power interruption.
President Duterte warned that the government will expropriate the franchise of PALECO and have it operated by “big players” if it won’t upgrade its source of energy and come up with a solution for the frequent blackouts by the end of 2018.
Jeffrey Tan-Endriga, Chairman of the PALECO Board, argued, “Hindi pa expired ang franchise natin at wala pang legal basis to terminate or revoke the franchise na hinahawakan ng ating kooperatiba.”
He further stated that they haven’t had a discussion with the authors of the bill before it was filed. “Hindi ito nakonsulta ng ating mga kongresista bago sila mag-decide. But we are praying na siguro mabago. Kasi unang salang palang to eh. Wala pa namang decision na nangyayari.”
Endriga also added, “We are seeking a meeting with them, at least makausap sila ng personal upang talakayin ang bagay na ito.”
He also added, “Ginagawa natin ang makakaya natin upang makatipid at maibigay yung sapat na serbisyo. Bagsak lang naman tayo sa frequent interruption eh. Pero, the rest, almost perfect tayo. Yun yung difference about the private company and the electric coop. Ang laki ng difference ng rate nila compared sa isang electric coop.”
Meanwhile, Engineer Lalas said that PALECO is currently committed to further improve its electric service to the consumers. “Ongoing na ngayon ang ating programa para ma-resolve at mas lalong i-improve ang ating serbisyo, with the assistance from the management and the board, and the support of the member-consumers.”
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