Who’s stoking fear in PECO-MORE Power row?

MEMBERS of the Sangguniang Panlungsod cautioned fellow officials from exacerbating the specter of a power crisis amid the tug-of-war between Panay Electric Company (PECO) and MORE Electric and Power Corp (MORE Power) over distribution services in the city.

Councilor Joshua Alim said public officials should not add up to the fear of the public, especially on the possible power disruption.

“We public officials must lessen the impact kun may impact man gid and instead explain the truth,” Alim said.

PECO, Iloilo City’s sole power distributor, earlier said it would stop operating in January 2019 if it fails to renew its congressional franchise.

Inocencio Ferrer, PECO’s legal counsel, also said that Ilonggos must blame the House and the Senate if blackouts hit the city next year.

Ferrer also insisted that PECO will not sell its assets to its rival MORE Power and would exhaust all legal means they could use.

Councilor RLeone Gerochi also reminded the public officials to unite and help the city face the consequences of the dispute.

“PECO and MORE are locked in this battle which may take some time to be resolved so sa amu sini nga sitwasyon, siguro naga kadapat lang nga ang mga opisyales sang ciudad mag binuligay instead nga mag sagid haboy istorya kag mag pa hambuganay,” he noted.

Alim, who is also one of the staunch critics of Peco, emphasized earlier that Ilonggos should not be afraid of the firm’s threat of power disruption.

“We should not be afraid because of Peco’s peddling of blackout because government agencies have assured the people of Iloilo City that there will be no power blackout,” Alim said.

WHAT CMT?

Alim also hit Mayor Jose Espinosa III for establishing a Crisis Management Team (CMT) that will tackle the effects of the PECO-MORE Power dispute.

“I don’t think we need to create that because I am assuring you with the declaration of government agencies, na waay sang black out, but it’s the prerogative of the mayor, iya na ya,” he emphasized.

According to Mayor Jose Espinosa III, the CMT will prepare different mechanisms and strategies relative to the possible threats of power disruption in the city.

Espinosa will head the CMT while the members are the Philippine National Police (PNP), City Engineer’s Office and representatives from the private sector pronounced on Monday.

“I have ordered there will be CMT para sila ang ma-study kun papano magpreparar ang tanan nga sector in case may disruption sa power kag para magtan-aw sang mga paalubuton nga problema,” Espinosa said.

APPEARANCE

Meanwhile, MORE Power will appear at the council on Nov 26, 2018 to present its plans once it secures a congressional franchise to distribute electricity in the city.

Alim said that he will invite Espinosa to the dialogue.

“They are going to present the plano, kun kaya nila ano ang ila abilidad, physical and technical aspect and I will request Councilor Plaridel Nava to invite the mayor’s office,” Alim said.

On the other hand, PECO will also appear before the council on Nov 28, 2018 to discuss their commitment to continue the supply of power in the city.

SOURCE: The Daily Guardian

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