Lawmaker holds forum on electric cooperative issues

Thursday, January 26, 2012

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO --Association of Philippine Electric Cooperatives (APEC) partylist Congressman Ponciano Payuyo led the forum Thursday on issues of local electric cooperatives here at the Benigno Aquino Hall.

The event was also led by Provincial Board Cooperative Committee head Monina Laus and featured different stakeholders in rural electrification, officials of Pampanga 3 Electric Cooperative (Pelco3) and electric consumers.

Have something to report? Tell us in text, photos or videos.

The discussion centered on the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) of 2001 and on measures on how to make local electric cooperatives "genuine cooperatives" owned and operated by consumers.

Payuyo said there is a law, the Republic Act 9520, that encourages all the electric cooperatives in the country to register with the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA).

"Cooperatives that are members of CDA enjoy all the privileges of any other cooperative registered, including exemption from all form of taxes, both national and local," he said.

He said that out of 119 electric cooperatives nationwide, only 11 are registered under the CDA.
Payuyo said most of the electric cooperatives do not enjoy the tax exemption that is given to CDA registered cooperatives; hence, they charge higher electricity rates to consumers.

"Consumers should take steps to ensure that they get what they deserve from their cooperatives. Consumers have the power, through organized petition and a plebiscite to chart the direction of their electric cooperatives," Payuyo said.