Wednesday, August 22, 2007 Ecozone firms to get enjoy cut in power cost
TRADE and Industry Secretary Peter Favila has announced that the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (Peza) will implement this week the guidelines for open access to give industrial users a reduced power rate.
"It was also agreed that the Peza will look into declaring the following sites as industrial zones and the idea is to contract industries, locators where there are sources of geothermal power," Favila said.
Favila said areas where open access be implemented include Tiwi in Albay, Makban in Laguna and Batangas, Tongonan in Leyte, Bacon in Negros, and in Mt. Apo in North Cotabato.
Energy Undersecretary Melinda Ocampo, on the other hand, said while open access will give industrial consumers the power to choose their own supplier, residential consumers will continue to enjoy the 30 centavo per kilowatt-hour (kwh) mandated reduction under the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (Epira) of 2001 and the lifeline rates.
Peza director general Lilia de Lima told reporters that they are looking at a P1 per kwh reduction in power rates in Peza-controlled ecozones. Peza-controlled ecozones are located in Bataan, Baguio, Cavite and Mactan (Cebu).
De Lima said there is a need to bring down the power rates as it is a major consideration in doing business in the country. (MSN/Sunnex)
