Thursday, June 26, 2008 Eastern Porac back to Pelco II
PORAC -- After almost four years of being separated from Pampanga Electric Cooperative (Pelco) II, barangays in Eastern Porac have been "re-connected" to the electric cooperative.
The Porac Electric District was virtually divided into two - the Eastern Porac with office in Manibaug and Porac Main in the town proper - after the 1991 eruption of Mt. Pinatubo. Because of the damage sustained by Pelco II during the eruption, it could not permanently provide service to the eastern parts of the town, particularly the areas of Barangays Sinura, Manibaug Pasig, Manibaug Libutad, Calzadang Bayu, Manibaug Paralaya all in Porac town and some parts of Eastern Calibutbut in Bacolor town.
The eastern district experienced interrupted power during the initial years after the eruption as a result of the distance and damage to the cooperative's power lines. This prompted the cooperative ask, through an agreement, the Angeles Electric Corporation (AEC) to supply the needed power in the area.
Director John Sunio of Porac said the rising cost of petroleum had forced the AEC to get out of the agreement.
"Cost was a major reason why they (AEC) gave up on the Eastern Porac. But it was actually welcome news, now we have the entire electric district united once again. Eastern Porac would have the same cooperative and the same rates for Pelco II consumers," Sunio said.
Pelco II general manager Amador Guevara said they were ready when the agreement with AEC ended last Wednesday.
"I asked our engineers if they were ready to re-connect the eastern section, and fortunately we are ready," Guevara told attendees during the ceremonial reconnection in Manibaug, Pasig City.
He added that the cooperative is also faced with problems left by past administrations in the cooperative. But he is optimistic that the 15-year plan to fix the management and other fiscal problems of the cooperative will proceed as planed with the help of government officials and other stakeholders.
"This reconnection is a milestone for the cooperative. This only means that we can move for our aim of making the cooperative successful," he said.
Pelco II, one of the biggest electric cooperatives in the province, services the towns of Sta. Rita, Bacolor, Guagua, Sasmuan, Lubao, Porac, Mabalacat, and some areas in the Porac mountain villages. (IOF)
