These waves of complaints reflect the deep economic repercussions for these areas with unstable and very expensive power services
It’s a long weekend, one of two long weekends this month and many “Mega-Manilans” and urbanites all over the country are likely or are already out of town.
People will trek out for weekend trips to escape the congestion of the city which is good for our rising tourism industry which, according to Department of Tourism data, produced a combined domestic and international revenue of P1.78 trillion in 2022 and supports 5.2 million jobs.
These long weekends are not just good for catching up on one’s work-life balance but great for the economy.
Each time I do get a chance to go out for some rest and recreation, being a person used to 99.9 percent uninterrupted power, there is always that intermittent brownout that has become a spoiler.
For me it’s just an inconvenience, but for all businesses affected by a power outage, it’s a serious problem that impacts the viability of their operations.
In some provinces the situation has reached a crisis level.
Local government leaders are already making drastic moves against their distribution utilities (DUs) because their constituents and local industries have had enough of the low service quality, inefficiency, and high-power rates they have been suffering for years.
For instance, in April this year, the province of Occidental Mindoro was placed under a state of calamity because of their deteriorating electricity crisis.
They only had four hours of electricity in the off-peak hours.
That means practically no electricity during working hours.
Apparently, this is also happening in other areas.
During the 54th anniversary celebration of the National Electrification Administration, DOE Secretary Popo Lotilla warned DUs to shape up “because at some point, if our people get tired of the quality of services that they receive, then they themselves will be the ones to clamor for change.”
Sec. Lotilla said that electricity cooperatives need to improve, and those that are performing well should continue to inspire other coops to do better.
“As I have said, we will give you full support to the extent that you are able to deliver. But there are also other electric cooperatives that need to reconsider other forms of delivery service to our people,” Lotilla said.
The local government leaders of Laguna and Batangas are now taking proactive action against their respective DUs to respond to their constituent’s demand to improve power services.
In Laguna, mayors from Cavinti, Famy, Kalayaan, Mabitac, Paete, Pagsanjan, Pakil, Pangil, Siniloan, and Sta. Maria formally appealed to the House of Representatives not to grant a new legislative franchise to First Laguna Electric Cooperative (FLECO). They said that the residents of their jurisdictions have been subjected to “unreasonably high” electricity rates and “poor services”.
Reports said that frequent brown outs and voltage fluctuations in Nasugbu are damaging appliances and equipment of residences and business establishments.
Residents have collectively petitioned for their local officials to transfer electricity services to Meralco which services Metro-Manila, and some nearby provinces, like, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon.
“Nasugbu stands united, echoing the voice of over 22,000 signatures, demanding nothing short of excellence in electricity services.
Together, we urge a transition to Meralco, in our pursuit of quality power for our progressive community,” Mayor Barcelon had said.
According to the petition signed by the ten mayors to the House of Representatives and the Senate, FLECO has allegedly failed to mitigate the increasing electricity prices for its captive market, violating its mandate under the EPIRA to supply electricity in the least cost manner.
‘We urge the lawmakers to reflect on the wider ramifications and prioritize the collective interests of the community over the electric cooperative’s own interests,” said Pakil Mayor Vincent Soriano in a public statement.
In Pampanga, six mayors sought the assistance of the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) in resolving the high power rates of Pampanga Electric Cooperative 3 (PELCO 3).
Even establishments are already taking legal action.
The Metropolitan Medical Center, Evercrest Golf Club Resort in Nasugbu, Gulod Resort, and Chateau Royale Sports & Country Club have gone to court against BATELEC 1 for poor electric services that have paralyzed their operations.
These waves of complaints reflect the deep economic repercussions for these areas with unstable and very expensive power services.
This situation will hinder the economic potential for power challenged provinces to develop their tourism and other local industries.
The initiative of these LGU leaders to transfer to better service providers should be supported by the DOE and ERC as this is a problem affecting many areas in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.
A stable power supply with rational service rates is essential for attracting the development of tourism and manufacturing investors.
These jurisdictions with expensive and unreliable electricity service will miss out on the country’s accelerating momentum of economic growth if they don’t change their mediocre service providers.
