An end to power users' woes

Nini Cabaero

A SAD INSTANCE happened in the presidential visit in Palawan where President Duterte witnessed the inauguration of a newlycompleted major national government-funded port extension project.

The excitement of President Duterte turned into furious stance upon learning the prevailing sorry state of the electricity supply in the pr ovi nce.

Columnist Marichu A. Villanueva stated that the

Chief Executive threatened to use government powers to take over the power distribution from Palawan Electric Co. (Paleco). Previously, the President had already admonished the top officials of Paleco regarding the inefficiency of the service but after three years, nothing has been done to improve it.

The President said he would issue an expropriation order preliminary to taking over the electric supply firm due to the reported endless brownouts in the province of Palawan.

He even suggested to rural electric cooperatives to allow financially capable groups to take over (watch out, Pelco) if they cannot effectively operate as a public utility.

This event foreshadowed what happened to Benguet Electric Cooperative which central headquarters were forcefully taken over by police authorities.

The National Electrification Administration (NEA) had earlier flagged and subsequently replaced several

members of the board of directors of Beneco for alleged fund and resources abuses that have disturbed the firm's operations.

Ms. Villanueva adds: The unstable power supply problems plaguing the people of Palawan and in Benguet-Baguio City are replicated across the country even amid the COVID 19 pandemic. These areas are in Tagum City and many other areas/ towns of Davao del Norte whose plight raised awareness on the grim state of a number of rural electric cooperatives around the country.