[av_one_full first min_height=” vertical_alignment=” space=” custom_margin=” margin=’0px’ padding=’0px’ border=” border_color=” radius=’0px’ background_color=” src=” background_position=’top left’ background_repeat=’no-repeat’ animation=”]
[av_heading heading=’HOUSE PROBE VS PECO SOUGHT | Alim: Congress must review franchise ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
BY GLENDA SOLOGASTOA
[/av_heading]
[av_textblock size=” font_color=’custom’ color=”]
Wednesday, April 12, 2017
[/av_textblock]
[av_textblock size=” font_color=” color=”]
ILOILO City – The Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) urged the House of Representatives to investigate Panay Electric Company (PECO), the sole electricity distributor in this city.
The city council specifically wanted the House to take a look at the following complaints of PECO consumers:
* unreliable meter readings
* sudden rise in electric bills
* arrogant employees
* unexplained charges
“Such conditions cause discomfort and inconvenience to consumers, in violation of PECO’s franchise,” read part of the SP resolution calling for a congressional investigation.
PECO is a holder of a Certificate of Public Convenience (franchise) granted by Congress to distribute electricity in Iloilo City.
Congress should revisit PECO’s franchise, said Councilor Joshua Alim, author of the SP resolution.
Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog welcomed the SP’s call for a congressional probe. He said his administration is pro-consumer.
“Consumer protection is one of our top priorities. We will not tolerate overpricing and PECO has to be made accountable if (the complaints are) proven (true),” said Mabilog.
He actually wrote the SP a letter about a possible probe on March 30.
“The undersigned would like to request for the conduct of an investigation with regard the complaint of consumers of PECO for allegedly being charged in excess of what they have actually consumed. The thorough investigation on this matter may call forth the need for a regulatory ordinance to protect the rights of our burdened consumers,” read part of Mabilog’s letter.
If there is a valid and legal basis for the complaints, Mabilog said, the probe could pave way for the filing of appropriate charges against PECO at the Energy Regulatory Commission, Mabilog added.
The SP resolution calling for a congressional inquiry was unanimously approved yesterday.
It urged representatives Jerry Treñas of Iloilo City, Carlos Isagani Zarate of Bayan Muna partylist and Harry Roque of Kabayan partylist to sponsor a House resolution for the probe.
Treñas said he won’t oppose a congressional inquiry. He also admitted being affiliated with PECO’s law firm and vowed to inhibit himself from the probe should it materialize.
“Kon imbestigahan gid man sang Congress then I just have to disclose that PECO is one of the clients of the law office of which I am a member,” said Treñas.
He said he won’t tolerate any wrongdoing, if there is any.
“Kon may ara dapat imbestigahon, imbestigahon,” he stressed./PN
[/av_textblock]
[/av_one_full]
