Bacolod Councilor Wilson Gamboa Jr. has challenged the legitimacy of Negros Electric and Power Corp.’s (Negros Power) collection of the Reinvestment Fund for Sustainable Capital Expenditures (RFSC) from power consumers.
Gamboa, who chairs the Sangguniang Panlungsod Committee on Human Rights, issued a resolution demanding that Negros Power explain why a private corporation is charging a bill component typically exclusive to electric cooperatives.
The RFSC, established under Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) Resolution No. 20, Series of 2009, was specifically designed for electric cooperatives. It allows them to collect capital contributions from member-consumers to finance expansions, rehabilitations, or system upgrades.
The councilor said access to electricity is a basic human right requiring transparency and accountability. He alleged that Negros Power’s continued practice of charging RFSC is problematic because it is not an electric cooperative.
Gamboa said Negros Power is collecting P0.1518 per kilowatt-hour for RFSC, which he believes places an undue burden on consumers.
Negros Power said it would address Gamboa’s concerns. The company has 10 days from receiving the resolution to formally respond and clarify the legal basis for collecting RFSC.
