Mabilog wants to tap other power suppliers
Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog said other power suppliers are welcome to the city amid reports that lone power distributor Panay Electric Company is charging the highest rate in the entire country, if not in the whole world.
Mabilog said he is yet to meet with representatives of PECO, power generators Panay Power Corp. and Panay Energy Development Corp., both subsidiaries of Global Business Power Corp. and Metrobank, to discuss the issue pointed out by the Freedom from Debt Coalition.
Mabilog said that if possible, he will request for the reduction of power rates in the city which was earlier promised by PEDC at P2 per kilowatt hour.
The mayor said the entry of other suppliers of power including renewable energy, may help reduce PECO’s high power rate especially now that the Aquino government is looking into the feasibility of renewable energy in the provinces.
In Western Visayas, wind energy power is being harnessed by Trans Asia Philippines in the island-province of Guimaras. Construction is ongoing for wind power technology in Sibunag town.
Agricultural biomass is the main fuel source of Global Green Power supported by the British Embassy which is now constructing its power plant in Mina, Iloilo.
Another energy firm is also eyeing river water power to produce energy in Aklan.
PPC is using diesel fuel while sister company PEDC is operating the first coal- fired power plant in Western Visayas.
The FDC report showed the comparative monthly electric rates in the city compared with other Philippine cities. PECO is charging P13.30 per kwh in Iloilo City while Manila is paying only P10 per kwh to MERALCO.
Davao City is served by Davao Light at P6.87 per kwh; General Santos City by SOCOTECO II at P5.46; Tacloban City by LEYECO at P7.14; Cebu City by VECO at P8.99; and Bacolod City by CENECO at P6.43.*PNA
