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[av_heading heading=’IS PECO WORTH KEEPING? Power distribution utility seeks to change SP’s mind ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=’30’ subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=” av-medium-font-size-title=” av-small-font-size-title=” av-mini-font-size-title=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” admin_preview_bg=”]
BY GLENDA SOLOGASTOA
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Tuesday, November 21, 2017
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ILOILO City – Today, Panay Electric Company (PECO) hopes to convince members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) it is doing its best to address the concerns of consumers.
Officials of the sole power distribution utility in this city will be making a presentation at the regular session of the city council that last week approved a resolution calling for the nonrenewal of PECO’s franchise.
Who among the city councilors will change their minds?
The following councilors voted to approve the resolution last week: Joshua Alim, Julie Grace Baronda, Ely Estante, R Leone Gerochi, Reyland Hervias, Plaridel Nava, Armand Parcon, Liezel Joy Zulueta Salazar, Jay Treñas, and Candice Tupas.
Consumers and militant groups will be watching today’s SP proceedings closely. They will gather outside city hall, said Elmer Forro, secretary general of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) Panay.
Consumers dissatisfied with PECO’s service have banded together under the #NoToPeco25 Movement. They are seeking a government takeover of the power distribution utility.
PECO’s franchise is expiring in 2019.
Forro yesterday blasted those painting a doom’s day scenario if the government takes over PECO’s operations.
“Consumers have nothing to fear. It is the government’s job to delivery of social services such as electricity,” he said.
Lead convenors of the #NoToPeco25 Movement are councilors Alim and Nava. Its petition pushing for the nonrenewal of PECO’s franchise have so far gathered 25,000 signatures.
The petitioners complained of, among others, overbilling, billing without reading of electric meter, unannounced power outages, no prompt action on consumers’ complaints, and arrogance of PECO personnel.
“All these violate the original grant of franchise to PECO which was based on comfort and convenience of its consumers. PECO’s inefficient services are far below its duties and obligations towards its consumers,” read part of the petition.
Mayor Jose Espinosa III warned that the nonrenewal of PECO’s franchise could destabilize the power supply and disrupt the economic progress that the city has been enjoying these past few years.
Mikel Afzelius, PECO corporate communications officer, told Panay News their company is capable of supporting the energy needs of businesses.
“Big investors do their homework. It is not by accident that they are here. These investors are comfortable in investing in cities run by private utilities because of the confidence they have in private firms,” he pointed out.
PECO, he added, “makes sure to take care of these investors to spur economic growth in the city and to provide major job opportunities for our fellow Ilonggos.”
The SP called on the national government to take over the power distribution utility “until a qualified distributor comes in.”
PECO has been monopolizing power distribution in this city for over 90 years./PN
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