APALIT -- Six mayors in Pampanga have sought the assistance of the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) in resolving the "high power rates of Pampanga Electric Cooperative 3 or Pelco 3.

Mayor Oscar Tetangco Jr. of Apalit, Abundio “JP” Punsalan of San Simon, Jose Antonio Bustos of Masantol, Philip Naguit of Minalin, Leonardo “Bobong” Flores of Macabebe, and John Sambo of Sto. Tomas recently met ERC Chairperson Monalisa Dimalanta.

The mayor discussed to Dimalanta their concerns with the management of Pelco-3, which serves consumers in Masantol, Macabebe, Sto. Tomas, Minalin, and portions of Apalit and San Simon.

“Nakipagdialogue po kami with Dr. Dimalanta para malaman din ng ERC kung ano ang side namin kasi ang naririnig lang ay ‘yung side ng Pelco-3,” said Tetangco.

The mayor added that the ERC assured them that they will conduct an investigation regarding the issues.

“By next week, hopefully malalaman natin ang magiging resulta at maitama kung ano ang para sa mga tao,” said Tetangco.

The mayor said he and the five mayors united to fight for a lawful and just electricity rate for the benefit of their constituents.

“May barangay kami sa Apalit at San Simon na sakop ng Meralco kaya nako-compare namin na during the time na around P15 per kilowatt hour ang singil ng Pelco-3, sa Meralco ay nasa P9 per kilowatt hour lang,” Tetangco said.

He added that Meralco has offered its assistance to Pelco-3 but the electric coop management declined.

“Kami pong anim na mayor ang lumapit sa MVP Group bilang kababayan po natin ang Chairman Manny Pangilinan. Nagmalasakit po ang MVP Group pero sila pa po ang nadeny,” Tetangco said.

“Ang sa amin lang naman po, wala naman sigurong masama na subukan ng Pelco-3 lalo na kung di sila makahanap na mas murang magsusupply ng kuryente pero ayaw nila," he added.

In the reply letter of Pelco-3 to Meralco, it cited the "ongoing consultation" with their consumers as reason for declining Meralco’s assistance.

“The PELCO III management highly appreciates for choosing us among your partners, however, at the moment, the management is still in the process of consulting with its consumers as well as employees on your proposal coupled with the fact that the coop's main concern is the increasing power rate caused mainly by the surge in Generation Charge, which is equally being experienced globally and all distribution utilities in the country,” the letter read.