CITY OF SAN FERNANDO Mayor Vilma Balle-Caluag of the capital city is worried about the possible negative effects of the impending power rate hike by San Fernando Electric Light and Power Company Inc. (SFELAPCO).
She said the increase of rates in electricity will have a big impact on the lives of Fernandinos.
Caluag echoed these during a press briefing on March 14, 2023 at Heroes Hall.
The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) slapped SFELAPCO penalties.
The commission also directed the firm to refund its consumers of alleged "excess charges" collected from 2013 to 2022.
Caluag said the ERC order issued on March 3, 2023 is already a victory for Fernandinos but has to be resolved immediately, possibly within the year.
“Ito pong desisyon ng ERC ay panalo na kami. This is a stroke of luck. For the second time around, pumabor at nanalo ang mga Fernandinos dahil nalaman natin ang totoong sitwasyon. Gusto lang natin na humingi ng tulong para labanan ang pagtaas nila ng singil pero mas malaki pa pala ang problema," she said.
Being the mother of the city, Caluag added that she has to fight for her "children" despite the odds as the power rate hike implemented by SFELAPCO in January this year is nearly 50 percent of consumers' normal electric bills, and may have negative impacts on Fernandinos, especially the marginalized.
"Aku pu buyuk-buyuk ku mung mayor (I am just a small-time mayor). Alam ko po na sa ginagawa kong ito ay marami akong nasasagasaan na malalaking tao. Pero bilang ina ng siyudad, kailangan kong unahin ang aking mga anak na Fernandinos, lalu na iyung mahihirap na sa pagtaas ng singil ng kuryente na ito ay maramdaman nila na lalo silang pinapahirapan. At pag nagkaganoon, baka may maligaw pa ng landas at makagawa ng hindi tama," she said.
(I am just a small-time mayor. I know that I am crossing paths with many big time people. But as the mother of the city, I need to prioritize my children---Fernandinos---especially the poor who may feel they are being additionally burdened by the increase in power rate. And when that happens, some may go wayward and do something that is not right).
As the city government continues to mediate in the issue, Caluag said they have sought the help of some top officials, particularly Senator Raffy Tulfo.
"Sa darating na March 20 po ay dudulog tayo kasama ang mga legal consultants natin kay Senator Tulfo sa senado upang humingi ng tulong para maayos ito. At ako bilang private individual ay hindi titigil hangga’t hindi matuldukan, manalo man o matalo. Dahil pag Fernandino kayabe ka,” she said.