Iloilo City gov't acts to reduce power consumption
The city government is now working out plans on how to reduce its power consumption after the Panay Electric Company (Peco) recently announced a P1.0591 per kilowatt hour (kWh) hike in generation cost.
Mayor Jerry P. Treñas has designated City Environment Officer Noel Hechanova to prepare the necessary actions, being in-charge of power concerns.
Among the initial plans of the city are to switch to energy efficient compact fluorescent lights and the alternate use of double-arm street lights.
Treñas said that as early as June, he has already signed an executive order for the city to adopt austerity measures as a result of the continuous increase in fuel prices.
However, the plan was overtaken by events like when the city was placed under state of calamity after the devastation wrought by Typhoon Frank that hit the city middle of June.
"We will have this finalized with Mr. Hechanova because we have to reduce consumption. We have no choice," the mayor said.
Aside from the increase in generation charge, Peco also has filed a petition before the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) for an authority to recover under-recoveries in the generation rate amounting to P468,489,320.50.
Treñas will also look into the possibility of sourcing out financial support from the P500 million that was allotted to the Department of Energy (DOE) from the Katas ng VAT to promote the use of energy efficient lights.
The city government's monthly electric bill is over P6 million and with the increase in generation cost it will increase to almost P7 million. (PNA)