Growing concern for energy consumers focus of Statistics Month
National Power Corporation Manager Engr. Nelson Homena said that there is a growing concern for protection and welfare of consumers of energy because of the increasing movement in energy prices that affect economic policies and as well as the demand for energy supply by households and the industry.
Keynoting the opening of the National Statistics Month Celebration, Engr. Homena said that as Napocor continues to upgrade and enhance its capabilities, it also works on empowering energy consumers by making them aware of their rights and responsibilities stipulated in the Magna Carta for electricity consumers.
Among these are the right to non-discriminatory connection, regular monthly billing and quality service. Homena added that electricity consumers have to be aware that there are Consumer Welfare Desks set up in their local government units, as well as Energy Consumer Protection Center, where they can lodge their complaints, or be informed of prevailing prices on oil and other petroleum products.
The LGUs, Homena said, are supposed to be empowered so as to empower the consumers in their areas and be ensured of transparency, where they are made to understand the cost of generation billing and other charges.
Homena also said that with the aim for optimum consumer protection goes the fact that the cheapest and most reliable form of energy conservation and empowerment begins in the homes and offices where people are aware of the rate of their energy consumption for them to manage it well.
On the other hand, Mr. Rolando T. Bulfa, Manager of the Admin-Finance Division of the NPC said that celebrating the importance of statistics in national development is not just for a week, but a continuing activity, for it is the cornerstone of sound decision-making, the building blocks of research, an important pillar of democracy.
Bulfa added that the energy sector has so much to contribute to make statistics responsive for the success of development programs.
(PIA 6/ESS)