Senate urged to investigate Batangas electric coop franchise

TALISAY, Batangas — Senate President Vicente Sotto III has assured that the Senate will investigate issues being raised by a group of businessmen and consumers against Batangas Electric Cooperative (Batelec) II, which provides power to two cities and 15 municipalities in the province.

Sotto attended the launching of Power Watch Movement which was initiated by Batangas Forum for Development and Good Governance Inc. (Batangas Forum) held at Club Balai Isabel, this town.

The movement is calling for an investigation into what it said were Batelec II’s unexplained and excessive charges, system loss and other charges unknown to the consumers, accumulated losses, and power interruptions.

A copy of a manifesto was presented by Batangas Forum Chairman Paquito Lirio to Sotto calling on Congress to review and evaluate the performance of Batelec II in relation to the objectives set forth by Republic Act 9136 or the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001.

“I will forward the manifesto that they gave me to the Committee on Energy which is headed by Senator Sherwin Gatchalian,” Sotto said.

He said he learned that the power firm’s franchise was granted by the National Electrification Administration (NEA) was for 50 years, while Congress usually issues a franchise for only 25 years.

“I will suggest that we will look into everything,” Sotto said.

A copy of a manifesto was also handed to Presidential Adviser for Southern Tagalog Dennis Hernandez who assured he will forward it to the President.