DENYING electricity to thousands of consumers and businesses in some parts of Bukidnon would be "economic sabotage" and would cause "irreparable injuries," according to a statement released by the Bukidnon Second Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Buseco).
In the statement, Buseco insists that it has not been remiss in settling its payables to the Bukidnon Sub-Transmission Corporation(BSTC) which operates the 69-kilovolt Kibawe-Maramag-Aglayan sub-transmission system in Bukidnon.
THe BTSC had earlier announced that it may be forced to cut off the power in Buseco’s franchise area at 12 p.m., September 15, due to Buseco’s "failure to pay its delinquent accounts with BSTC."
Buseco, in the statement, explained that it is unable to pay the connection charges (CC) and residual sub-transmission charges (RSTC) because the contract between Buseco and BSTC regarding its sub-transmission connection agreement already expired last January 25, 2016.
“There is no contract between Buseco and BSTC” the Buseco statement reads and adds that it is “constrained to pay the Connection Charges (CC) and Residual Sub-transmission Charges (RSTC) in view of the fact that Buseco and BSTC’s Sub-transmission Connection Agreement already expired last January 25, 2016.”
Buseco said that the charges that BSTC required of their company to pay has no approval from the Energy Regulatory Commission after January 25, 2016.
“It is important to note that all charges being billed by any electric industry player must be approved by the [ERC]. Further, all rate applications must undergo the procedural due process which includes among others conduct of public hearings for the Member Consumer Owners (MCOs) to be informed of the rates being imposed by the DUs and all electric industry players,” Buseco said.
If and when the BSTC is able to secure ERC approval, then Buseco will fully abide by the decision of the agency.
“It is worth noting that BSTC filed an application before the Commission for rate increases of which Buseco opposes considering that the new rates filed per computation will increase three (3) times from the existing approved rates of NGCP CC and RSTC,” it said.
Buseco also alleged it has a pending dispute with BSTC at the ERC in which it questioned the validity of the composition of the BSTC board of directors since, Buseco said, majority of its board members are no longer connected with Buseco and First Bukidnon Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Fibeco) “where their stints in the Board of BSTC is only ex-officio or by reason of their holding office or coterminous with their terms as directors of the cooperatives.”
Buseco also trumpeted its Triple A categorization by the National Electrification Administration (NEA).
“As a consistent Triple A category electric cooperative with a perfect score of 100 percent as recognized by the National Electrification Administration simply proves that the allegation of BSTC is of no legal basis,” Buseco’s statement said
Buseco, however, assured its customers that it is doing all “means to fulfill the very essence of its existence which is to deliver continuous power supply” to its consumers.