‘No politics in anti-PECO rally’

HUNDREDS of rallyists marched at Plaza Libertad in Iloilo City on November 26, 2018 to oppose the franchise renewal of Panay Electric Company (PECO) PECO.

Noticeably, the protesters wore t-shirts of political bets Councilor Joshua Alim, Dr. Pacita Gonzalez, wife of the late justice secretary Raul Gonzalez Sr; and Councilor Plaridel Nava.

But Nava clarified that there was no politics behind the protest action and emphasized that they just want their supporters to be identified from the other rallying groups.

“Wala pamulitika ang rally. We want to have identity and the only way to identify our people is for them to have our t-shirts, indi kami gusto nga makilala sila nga may confusion,” he said.

The councilor stressed that the protest against PECO is the battle cry of their political group, Alim-Gonzales-Nava (ALGONA).

“Kon ano karun ang matabo, we could no longer identify sa mga tawo. Nag-decide kami nga kon madala nga tawo they must be identified properly. Kon ano matabo identify siya nga tawo sya ni Councilor Nava, that is why ang akon nakasuksok sang akon t-shirt, ang kay Councilor Alim, naka-orange and kay Dra. Pacita naka t-shirt man sang iya. We are politicians and we are saying no to PECO,” he said.

Alim is eyeing the city’s lone congressional seat while Gonzales is running with Nava for the mayoral and vice mayoral seats, respectively.

On November 26, 2018 while MORE Power and Electric Co. (MORE Power) was presenting its transition plan and program before the Sangguniang Panlungsod, thousands of individuals marched the City Hall grounds to voice out their varying opinions.

Some of the protesters called “MORE, a threat to Iloilo City development,” and pushed for the renewal of PECO’s franchise.

Aside from the supporters of ALGONA who rallied against PECO, cause-oriented groups also protested against the application of MORE Power and the renewal of PECO’s franchise.

Instead, they are pushing for a government takeover of public utilities.

SOURCE: The Daily Guardian

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