Group tells ERC to protect consumers rights, welfare

By Emme Rose Santiagudo

A broad alliance of power consumers demanded the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) to prioritize the rights and welfare of Ilonggo consumers amid the heated battle over power distribution between Panay Electric Co. (PECO) and MORE Electric and Power Corp. (MORE Power).

In a press conference Tuesday, i-Konsumidor emphasized that whoever is granted the real right to become the power distribution utility of Iloilo City, ERC should ensure that consumers’ rights and welfare stand foremost with the demand and hunger for profit.

“We are not taking any sides from either PECO or MORE Power. We are asking if may kinamatarong pa bala ang mga konsumidor. Up to today, no one is listening to the consumers even the ERC,” i-Konsumidor lawyer Romeo Gerochi said.

The group slammed ERC for circumventing its own rules and procedures to appease the distribution utilities particularly by issuing a provisional authority to MORE Power.

“How can they issue a provisional authority to MORE Power through a letter and by not conducting any public hearing,” Gerochi lamented.

In a three-page letter dated March 5, ERC President and Chief Executive Officer Agnes VST Devanadera   issued a provisional authority to MORE Power to operate the distribution network and implement the last approved distribution charges of PECO.

ERC said an inspection report confirmed that MORE has gained full possession and control over the five substations, has prepared for all other aspects related to electricity distribution, and has power supply contracts in place with four power suppliers.

But according to Gerochi, there should a public hearing organized in the area of power distribution before the issuance of a provisional authority.

Gerochi said there was no public hearing organized in Iloilo City before the granting of MORE Power’s provisional authority.

“There was no public hearing. The provisional authority is needed so that a distribution firm can enter into a power supply agreement to serve as basis for their meter billing,” Gerochi said.

The granting of the MORE Power’s provisional authority came several days after it announced the commencement of their operations on Feb. 28.

The group also questioned MORE Power’s takeover of PECO’s assets as consumers still have refund claims to PECO covering the un-refunded meter deposits, un-refunded bill deposits, and un-refunded overcharges.

“MORE Power cannot take over before the consumers are fully paid. Where will we demand the refund if MORE Power has taken over the assets of PECO? For sure, MORE Power will not pay for the liabilities of PECO,” i-Konsumidor chair Reymund Moderes said.

The group had filed a petition seeking ERC audit on the undetermined liabilities of PECO.

“Until now it failed to act on our audit request to PECO but was swift to issue a provisional authority to MORE Power. It was a circumvention of the law,” Maderes furthered.

The group demanded ERC to make necessary actions to protect the rights of the consumers such as:

-ERC to order the final audit of PECO and order PECO to give the full payment of refund to its consumers after the final audit.

-ERC to conduct a public hearing on MORE Power’s power application in Iloilo City

-ERC to inform consumers of the rates of MORE Power pursuant to their approved PSA

“Until these demands are not met, consumers shall remain at the losing end, while PECO leaves scot-free and MORE Power assumes without nay liabilities to consumers but a windfall of profit in the expectation,” i-Konsumidor said.

While the legal battles continue between the two power firms, i-Konsumidor appealed for Ilonggo consumers to remain vigilant.

“We should remain vigilant. We do not want to go back to the old problem. If MORE Power can do what PECO has been doing for so many years, ano ang guarantee nga we will not suffer again from another power distributor,” Gerochi noted.