All-systems go as Sara hosts Ileco III investigation
An all-star cast of Capitol characters will be in Sara, Iloilo today for the out-of-town session and a much-awaited legislative investigation.
Entire morning will see members of the 9th Iloilo Sanggunian Panlalawigan (SP) in action while the afternoon business has been set for the Committee on Economic Affairs and Investment.
As such, key figures of the now controversial Iloilo electric cooperative will face off with committee members and resource persons invited.
The legislative investigation was pushed by Fifth District Board Member Jett Rojas with principal concern on the surrounding (mis) events of a power supply agreement entered into by the Iloilo Electric Cooperative (Ileco) III.
Third District Board Member Arthur Defensor Jr. will lead today’s proceedings clarified as a “fact-finding” committee hearing. Doors will be opened for the public particularly member-consumers of Ileco III.
Foremost of the invited were the members of the board and officers of Ileco III, the cooperative being the power provider of eleven Iloilo towns covering the entire Northern Iloilo.
Mayors from Ajuy, Balasan, Barotac Viejo, Batad, Carles, Concepcion, Estancia, Lemery, San Dionisio, San Rafael, Sara, Anilao and Banate were invited. Also sent invites were management committee members of Ileco III, area managers and other Ileco officials.
Presidential Assistant For Western Visayas Assistant Secretary Raul Banias, Governor Niel Tupas Sr. and Fifth District Congressman Niel Tupas Jr. were likewise invited.
The Ileco III controversy was dubbed by Rojas as one “anomalous” deal and “a case of social injustice.”
Rojas in a privilege speech spoke hit the Ileco III deal with Applied Research Technologies Philippines Incorporated (Artech).
Artech, Rojas said, is to supply electric power for 25 years at a generation charge of P6.50 per kilowatt hour.
“Where is the irregularity in this decision?,” he began. “Firstly, it was alleged that Artech was a non-participant in the bidding process… Secondly, the cost of power generation charged by Artech is said to be very costly and in fact, above the bid price of qualified bidders… Third, is there truth to the allegations of bribery of the president and members of the Board of Directors each for a total amount of P150,000 with the supposed two-time payment cleverly effected before and after the signing of the contract?”
Rojas also raised questions on the supposed haste of Ileco III president “when he has 60 days to study and review?”
“Last and most importantly, where were the member-consumers not consulted on the matter since the investment decision will eventually accrue to either their benefit or disadvantage?,” Rojas continued. “….it would seem that the Board failed to exercise prudence in its decision-making responsibility and this is a very serious matter indeed.”
As such, Rojas demanded for disclosure and transparency on the deal stressing that member-consumers “deserve to know the unsullied truth and those who were involved in the supposed anomaly once ascertained must be held responsible for the consequences of their actions.”