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Monday, January 31, 2005
Consumers urged to build case vs Cepalco
POWER consumers in Cagayan de Oro should band together and issue a written complaint on excess committed by the Cagayan de Oro Power and Light Co. (Cepalco).
National President Petronilo Ilagan of the National Association of Electricity Consumers for Reforms (Nasecore) made the suggestion during a power forum held at the City Central covered court last Saturday.
Ilagan issued the appeal following reports that Cepalco had overcharged on the generation component of its power bills and more than recovered four fold its investments in the Mindanao Energy Systems Inc. (Minergy) despite minimal use of its power supply.
The forum sponsored by the Cagayan de Oro Cooperative Council (CDOC) came in the wake of last Monday's City Council session wherein Cepalco representatives made a presentation of their Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Minergy.
Despite the presentation the councilors still grilled the officials on the P11 million to P15 million paid by Cepalco to Minergy even if the power utility didn't use the latter's supply from 1992 to 1996.
It was also pointed out from 1992 until today that Cepalco had more than recovered construction costs of the Minergy plant, which is placed at P300 million.
And during the forum Ilagan said it is imperative that the consumers gather documents and bills to support their case against Cepalco before the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC).
"That was my experience with Meralco we had gathered all documents and presented our case before the courts and the ERC...it is important that in seeking any refunds for the consumption of power we should be ready," he told the local media.
Ilagan revealed that he met with officials of the Cagayan de Oro Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foundation Inc. (Oro Chamber) regarding the alleged over-charging made by Cepalco to city consumers.
The City Council had been actively pursuing the case in light of reports that Cepalco is seeking to renew its contract with Minergy before the ERC.
The council said it would review the contract before signifying its position on the matter and prior to last Monday's presentation castigated Cepalco officials for failing to be transparent in their contract with Minergy.
Cepalco somehow managed to divert matters pertaining to its ties with Minergy by stating that it would present data to the local officials on this. (Stephen Capillas)
(January 31, 2005 issue)
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