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BY NEIL HONEYMAN
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Tuesday, December 5, 2017
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MANY meetings are a waste of time.
This is because there is somebody who either is, or thinks he is, in a position of ascendancy who intones “There Is No Alternative” (TINA) to his point of view.
We need contrarians to challenge the TINAs.
Then we shall obtain alternatives which can be evaluated and, possibly, implemented.
This is the situation which we face in relation to the franchise renewal decision for electricity supply in Iloilo. The incumbent, Panay Electric Company (PECO) says, in effect:
“The infrastructure we have in place is very expensive and requires expertise to operate. Therefore, there is no alternative (TINA) to renewing our franchise which expires in 2019. See ya in 2044!”
Unfortunately, PECO is not very popular and the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) recently passed a resolution “vehemently” opposing franchise renewal.
Are our hands tied? Despite the fact that PECO has an unlovable corporate culture due to its monopoly position, do we have to acquiesce to its viewpoint?
I do not think so.
In Bacolod City, the Central Negros Electric Cooperative Inc (CENECO) only came into existence in 1975. It took over from A.S. Diaz Ltd.
What is to stop the same thing happening in Iloilo? If, in the near future, PECO’s franchise renewal is not approved (possibly still pending), then what is to stop an entity negotiating with PECO to take over its operation when its franchise expires? PECO will not be happy but if the negotiations are on the basis that the cost of electricity to the consumer can be reduced by 20 percent (which it can), then public opinion will swing in favor of those negotiating with PECO.
Who can negotiate with PECO? Any organization which has the expertise to handle the technical aspects of facilitating local electricity distribution.
The role of the Department of Energy (DOE) is significant. Its Secretary, Alfonso Cusi, wants to reduce our electricity costs. He can exhort us to switch the lights off when we leave the room, or more significantly, instruct government offices to turn down the air-conditioning. But the real savings come from examining and, if necessary, renegotiating the contracts that exist between those who generate electricity and those who supply it to the end users. In some cases, there are excessive profits.
We are earning low incomes but paying higher than world market prices for electricity. The degree of difficulty of paying our monthly bills is greater than anywhere else on the planet. Many of us have to pay a week’s income to shoulder the household electricity bill, whereas our US counterpart hardly notices the charge because it represents only a few hours work.
Now is the time for fairness! (jbabueg@yahoo.co.uk)/PN
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