Former PECO exec is mayor’s aide on power

By: Emme Rose Santiagudo

The former assistant vice president for operations of Panay Electric Company (PECO), Engr. Randy Pastolero, is now Iloilo City Mayor Jerry P. Treñas’ top adviser for power.

Pastolero confirmed in a phone interview on Wednesday that Treñas’ appointed him as executive assistant (EA) for power.

He said it was the mayor who approached and offered him the position.

“Last week, ginapatawag ako ni mayor to help the city government when it comes to power pero wala pa man ko gaopisina kay wala pa man ang official appointment,” he told Daily Guardian.

Pastolero retired from PECO on July 25, 2019 after serving the company for 24 years.

“I would have preferred to stay as a private person because I have served for 24 years, may gamay na naman na negosyo. Since gin-request ta ni mayor nabudlayan ko mag-refuse because not everyone is given this opportunity nga makabulig sa aton siyudad,” Pastolero stressed.

According to Pastolero, the mayor already tasked him to review the projects of the Department of Energy (DOE) where the city can benefit.

“He already gave me assignments like looking into DOE projects na pwede makuhaan sang funds, to create projects and investments,” he said.

Pastolero said Treñas is particularly concerned with the power outages in the city.

“He requested a joint meeting of the power stakeholders last Monday and naistoryahan didto nga may ara statement nga i-release ang National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP).

Pastolero said his work in the city government will not be influenced by his previous affiliation with PECO.

“Ang function ko indi lang parte PECO but bilog nga concern sang city. We are designed to coordinate and cooperate with the power distribution company in the city. Kon ma-continue man ya ang PECO, then we will work with them and if it becomes MORE Electric Power Co. (MEPC), then we’ll start working with MORE Power,” he said.

Pastolero said he is finalizing the requirements for his appointment.