Senator to intervene against power rate hike

ILONGGO Senator Franklin Drilon will file an intervention in the P692-million under-recoveries application that was approved recently by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) for the Panay Energy Development Corp. (PEDC).

Drilon admitted that he is really disappointed and disgusted with the ERC approval paving the way for power increases in the city by P0.32 per kilowatt-hour.

“This unwarranted power increase is totally uncalled for and an immoral act of ERC. The Senate will exercise its mandate and power to discipline the ERC,” Mabilog said.

“Where can you see a government body being regulated by companies that is supposed to be regulated by the government agency,” Drilon said.

The Iloilo City Government, headed by Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog, has filed a motion for reconsideration on the ERC approval of under-recoveries to be passed on to the power consumers. The impending power hike is expected to start by August this year.

The city mayor will also ask Panay Electric Company to defer the power hike billing pending the outcome of the motion for reconsideration filed with the ERC. (Lydia C. Pendon)