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Monday, May 08, 2006
Let DOE calibrate meters, Veco told
The Visayan Electric Co. (Veco) should have its electric meters calibrated by the Department of Energy (DOE) every two years to protect consumers as well as the utility firm, a Cebu City councilor said.
In a draft ordinance, Councilor Sylvan Jako-salem intends to impose fines on the utility firm if it would not comply with the conditions the City Council set in exchange for the “qualified support.”
He has not, however, come up yet with the specific amount for first, second, third, and succeeding violations of the ordinance.
Jakosalem heads the council committee on energy, transportation, communication and other utilities.
Veco, which supplies electricity in Metro Cebu, got “qualified support” from the Cebu City Council when asked for recommendations on its application for franchise renewal last September.
The council expressed its concerns in response to a letter from the Office of the President asking it for recommendations on Veco’s application to renew its franchise for 25 more years.
Amendments
Although both the House of Representatives and the Senate already approved House Bill 3696, which introduced amendments to Veco’s franchise, the City Council’s statement at that time was needed before President Arroyo decided whether to sign the bill into law.
Among others, the council asked Veco to change its current electric meters to DOE-calibrated water-resistant meters.
It shall be Veco’s responsibility to furnish its customers, without charge, a calibration report to “diminish, if not totally obliterate, the possible unjust increase in electric bills brought by wrong reading,” the report of the council’s committee on energy said.
The distribution company was also asked to place its wires underground as a long-term program, because of the “unfashionably non-contemplated manner in which Veco set up its electric/kilowatt meters and wires.”
Franchise tax
The council likewise required Veco “to file its franchise tax with the City of Cebu since their principal place of business is here, and accordingly pay its taxes to the Commissioner of Internal Revenue.”
Jakosalem said Veco should calibrate meters every two years to ensure that consumers are not imposed unjust increases in electric bills.
The current method used by Veco remains “unchecked and unregulated by proper authorities,” he said, referring to the DOE.
One wonders how Veco personnel could determine the exact kilowatts used when the meters are clumped together high up a post.
The consumers have no way of knowing or counterchecking because the meter readers do not visit their homes to inform them that their meters had been checked and what the reading is.
The council had emphasized the need for Veco to be transparent in cost adjustments it intends to impose on consumers and for it to explain to consumers in a public hearing.
Jakosalem said that aside from protecting the consumers, his proposal is also designed to assist Veco in its drive against unscrupulous individuals who tamper with the meters and illegally tap electricity. (RHM)
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (May 8, 2006 issue)
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