State-run National Electrification Administration directed Zamboanga City Electric Cooperative Inc. (Zamcelco) to explore all possibilities to address its power supply problem caused by a dispute with one of its suppliers.
The directive came after Zamcelco asked the Energy Regulatory Commission to approve its request to withdraw from the power sale agreement with Western Mindanao Power Corp. and order the latter to refund alleged overbilled power accounts.
NEA administrator Edgardo Masongsong said in a statement it was urgent for Zamcelco to adopt a necessary measure other than installing modular generator sets to provide continuous and stable power supply to consumers, especially during the May 13 mid-term elections.
“We will issue a memorandum ordering Zamcelco to explore all possibilities including the procurement of emergency power supply from other existing power generating companies if the dispute between Zamcelco and WMPC (Western Mindanao Power Corporation) will not be resolved very soon,” Masongsong said.