ILECO 1 debunks 'Kontra Selos' complaints
Iloilo's biggest electric cooperative came out with an official explanation before the Iloilo Sanggunian Panlalawigan (SP) on the issue of purported unfair and illegal practices.
Presented in yesterday's regular session, Wilfred Billena, General Manager of Iloilo 1 Electric Cooperative Inc. (ILECO 1) submitted the clarification in a two-page reply.
The complaints as lodged were made by a group called "Kontra Selos Inc.," that charged ILECO 1 of illegalities due to its unbundled electric bill.
"We wish to inform the august Body that the rate was determined, structured and approved by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC)… Simply put, our Cooperative cannot unilaterally increase or decrease the rate without ERC's approval. Quite fairly, all Local Executives in the area of coverage were furnished with the copy of the decision of the case above-mentioned," excerpts of Billena's letter went.
ILECO 1 serves 15 Iloilo towns, namely, Alimodian, Cabatuan, Guimbal, Igbaras, Leganes, Leon, Maasin, Miag-ao, Oton, Pavia, San Joaquin, San Miguel, Santa Barbara, Tigbauan and Tubungan.
Another Kontra Selos charge was that proper implementation of the Magna Carta for residential electricity consumers is not purportedly followed by ILECO 1 management.
"ILECO 1, as an electric power distribution utility is regulated by the ERC. All rules, guidelines, resolutions and/or decrees adopted by ERC are being observed and/or followed among them the Magna Carta for Residential Electricity Consumers… Hence the presenters' allegations are without merit, as are violations of Co-op policy," the letter continued.
Specific concern here was on the disconnection procedures employed by ILECO 1.
"The Cooperative assures the august body that proper implementation of the Magna Carta are and shall be strictly observed especially in the disconnection of electric service," Billena ended.