25,000 sign petition vs Iloilo power firm

ILOILO CITY – At least 25,000 consumers signed a petition against the proposed franchise renewal of Panay Electric Co. (PECO), the only power distributor in Iloilo City.

Councilor Joshua Alim, one of those who initiated the opposition against the 25-year-franchise renewal, said the antiPECO petition will be presented at the Nov. 22 application hearing in Congress.

Yesterday, Tuesday, hundreds joined the protest outside Iloilo City Hall.

With its current franchise expiring on 2019, PECO is facing complaints for inefficient services, overbilling and unscheduled blackouts.

Consumers are also calling to break the monopoly of PECO that has been distributing power in the city for 94 years. First Philippine Holdings Corp. of Lopez Group of Companies also has minor ownership.

“We are forcing the issue so that consumers can be protected. A public utility has to be socially sensitive,” said Dr. Marigold Gonzalez.

Jane Javellana, presidential consultant for Western Visayas and another disgruntled consumers, said the PECO issue will reach President Rodrigo Duterte.

Meanwhile, a PECO spokesman denied the charges on its shortcomings.

“We have been taking steps for the past several years to fix (the problems),” said Marcelo Cacho, PECO administrative officer.

PECO spokesman Mikel Cacho Afzelius vowed that PECO will continue to distribute electricity and sustain the bullish economy of Iloilo City.