Electric consumers in Phl want change
TAGUM CITY, DAVAO DEL NORTE - Around 5,000 electric consumers from across the counry gather at the Tagum City Hall to stage their first national summit.
The activity is set to pursue a unified stand and concrete changes in the power industry and to highlight the rights of the electric consumers.
There are 14 position set to be pushed including the empowerment of the consumers, entrusting the energy regulation task to the National Electrification Administration (NEA), and elimination of Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC). As well as the conversion of private power utilities like Meralco into electric cooperative and others.
"In previous regulations, the rights of the members/consumers weren't mentioned," Akmad Mamalinta, National Chairman and Convenor of National Center of Electric Cooperative Consumers, Inc. (NCECCO) said.
Mamalinta added that it is just fitting for NEA to do the regulation being the arm of the government in pushing the rural electrification program.
The group is also adamant in pushing for the conversion of private utilities like Meralco, the distribution utility serving Manila.
"So the people will own it and not the oligarch," Mamalinta said.
Wilfredo M. Evangelista, Ph.D, Executive Director of NCECCO, for his part said that the position and policy papers of the group will be endorsed for legislation to make it a law.
First to be pushed in the summit is the CLECA Proposed Policy Paper of giving the electric coop the right of the first refusal in developing renewable energy resources in thier coverage area; right to compete and match and/ or provide more financial benefits and incentives given by the existing holders of renewable energy service contracts and the right to consult indigenous people and communities on the bid of the electric coop to develop hydropower.
The group insisted the electric coop is owned by the member consumer and should not be converted into Government-Owned and Controlled Corporation.
NCECCO also supports the 5-Point Agenda of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, 8-point agenda ni Department of Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi ug ang 7-Point Agenda ni National Electrification Administration Administrator Edgardo R. Masongsong.
The summit also eyes to push for Zero-VAT for the consumption of electricity for it to be cheaper and affordable. Task Force Duterte, a task force which is attending the ailing electric cooperatives will also be supported. The summit will also push for part-ownership of the electric consumers in the generation and transmission of electricity. It is National Grid Corporation of the Philippines which maintains the transmission of electricity.
NCECCO will also move for the advancement of entrusting the Franchising Power to National Electrification Administration under the Department of Energy. Electric Cooperatives and utilities across the country holds a franchise in each of their coverage area and it is duly approved thru congress.
NEA Administrator Edgardo Masongsong, confirmed support to the member consumers and admitted he did not consider NCECCO as threat but rather a good alliance in public service and in advancing the rural electrification program of the government in excellence.
He added that the duty of NEA is to supervise and he believed that regulation is the task of Energy Regulatory Commission but he respected the member-consumerowners will. Pres. Rodrigo Duterte's campaign on illegal drugs, illegal gambling and Federalism will also be supported by the group.
They will also be supporting and pushing the review and amendments of Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 or EPIRA and they will also be supporting the Supreme Court Order recognizing Daneco NEA as the legal and only instituion to rightfully manage Davao del Norte Electric Cooperative, Inc. Daneco is the electric distribution utility serving the provinces of Davao del Norte ug Compostela Valley .
Erico O. Bucoy, NCECCO Secretary General, confirmed that NCECCO is being planned two years and the summit is a succes.
He revealed that the summit will become a yearly activity as it will be institutionalized. He vowed that member-consumerowners of electric cooperatives should be assured that their rights will prevail above all as NCECCO will be advancing the rights of the electric consumers. Domilyn Ramos/ DANECO-NEA-ISD