PECO’s loss, Capitol’s gain: Electric bill down to half
The Iloilo Provincial Government enjoys a significant decrease in its electric bill with payment due to the Panay Electric Company (Peco) cut into half. Thanks to the battle fought and won by lawyer Romeo Gerochi, minus the projected savings of the now controversial Capitol power substation, the Iloilo Provincial Government reaps the reward alongside thousands of Peco clients.
Due for the current month’s billing is P667,521.31 for the 131.460 KWH power consumed. Such pales in comparison to the previous billing of P1,248,143.36 paid up for the 140.980 power used. If the trend continues and Peco suspends increase thus far, the Capitol will be paying within the P600,000 to P700,000 a month range as evident of the power consumption record as gathered by The News Today (TNT).
The savings and stable power supply formed part of the package as designed of the Capitol power substation project. Peco insiders asked on the matter expressed doubts though while saying that as it is, Peco stands to be the better and legal alternative for the Capitol.
Standing to be the biggest, grandest and newest government building in the city, the new Capitol has since generated a million worth of electric bill following its occupancy in December 2003. Austerity measures were adopted to lessen the over a million in electric expense yet it was to be Gerochi’s efforts that finally lowered the amount due every month to Peco.
Generation charge of P8.0142 per kilowatt per hour was trimmed down to P3.7491.
Meanwhile, questions continue to hang on the suspended works of the Capitol power substation. The promised probe of the Iloilo Sanggunian Panlalawigan (SP) was met with an indefinite suspension due to technicalities raised by members of the majority bloc headed by Fifth District Board Member Niel Tupas, Jr., and Fourth District Board Member Domingo Oso.
To recall, Governor Niel Tupas Sr. called for the suspension of the contractor’s work until issues have been resolved with a pending case before the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC). Said case, as pointed out to TNT by a Peco lawyer was between their company and a private firm, Philippine Foremost Milling Corporation. How it will benefit the Capitol or directly affect the supposed Capitol project has likewise posed a wonder to them.
“It is our case against Foremost and not with the Capitol,” the source said.