Wednesday, August 08, 2007 Mahipus wants DLPC to reduce its rates By Grace L. Plata
CITY Councilor Diosdado Mahipus called on the Davao Light and Power Company (DLPC) to lower its power rates in a privileged speech Tuesday.
Mahipus's speech was a reaction to an article he read in the national dailies that said the Manila Electrical Co. (Meralco) has slashed its power rates, thus Mahipus said Davao City residents should be provided the same respite Meralco's clients will be enjoying.
However, a study made by Freedom from Debt Coalition (FDC) shows that power rates in Davao appear to be lower compared to the rest of the country's urban centers like Manila and Cebu.
According to the FDC study, clients of the Aboitiz-owned Davao Light and Power Company (DLPC) are being charged P1.2409 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) for distribution and 22.49 centavos per kWh for metering service. DLPC clients, however, are not charged anything for supply services.
In Cebu, clients of another Aboitiz power company, Visayan Electronic Co. (Veco) are being charged P1.0773 per kWh for distribution, 19.24 centavos for per kWh for metering services and 27.12 centavos for supply services.
But the Lopez-owned Meralco proves to charge the most expensive rates. According to FDC, Meralco charges as much as 60 percent higher for the three revenue items considered.
This, as Meralco clients have to pay a distribution charge of P1.6615 per kWh, a supply charge of 52.71 centavos per kWh and metering fess of 24.35 centavos per kWh aside from its basic rate.
