ERC to hear Peco motion to reverse earlier ruling
The Energy Regulation Commission (ERC) will hold a public hearing today October 6 (Friday) at the CAP Bldg. along General Luna St., Iloilo City starting 9:00 in the morning.
The public hearing is in line with Motion for Reconsideration filed by Panay Electric Company seeking to reverse its decision directing PECO to refund amounting to P2.89-billion.
As such Freedom from Debt Coalition (FDC) and the newly formed Katilingban sang mga Kunsumidor sang Kuryente sa Siyudad sang Iloilo (Association of Electricity Consumers in Iloilo City) will also hold a picket outside the venue to inform and update the public on the development of the issues.
Consumers of Panay Electric Company, the sole power distribution utility in Iloilo City, are demanding immediate implementation of the P2.89-billion refund Order issued by the ERC, June 9 this year, after the Commission found out that PECO has overcharged its consumers and failed to comply its earlier directives.
The ERC opted to hold the hearing in Iloilo City after lawyer Romeo Gerochi of the FDC-Iloilo suggested to the Commissioners present during the September 7, 2006 hearing held in Cebu City, that the case is of high interest to the Ilonggo consumers, thus it is favorable to have the hearing venue in Iloilo City.
ERC is expected to hold a marathon hearing on the Motion for Reconsideration filed by PECO questioning its June 9, 2006 Order directing PECO to return consumer's money it amassed through overcharges citing ERC to have rendered a decision that disregarded its right to procedural due process, among others.
Ted Aldwin Ong, FDC's deputy secretary-general said, "this is the only remaining option for PECO to delay the implementation of the refund Order. But there is no escaping here, we have put forward a concrete alternative to the ERC on the refund and that is to take over the ownership of PECO."