Senator to PECO: Serve Ilonggos better
Ilonggo Senator Franklin Drilon has advised power distributor Panay Electric Company (PECO) to invest in capital expenditures to improve their electricity distribution operations.
“Many electric posts were not changed. Some I’ve seen since I was in Grade 1,” he said.
Drilon was among the speakers at the First Annual Western Visayas Business Forum organized by the University of Iloilo-PHINMA yesterday at Hotel del Rio. His advice was part of his speech entitled “The Legislature and the Executive: Creating a Bright Future For Our Country and Our People.”
“They also need to replace their old wires. Some, if hit by a kite, could result to a brownout. The branches of trees that reach these wires should also be cut. I advise PECO to have social responsibility; to serve the people of Iloilo,” he added.
Drilon gave the advice after he cited that power infrastructure could encourage or discourage investor confidence in Iloilo City.
“The power situation in Iloilo has become worse, with two to three hours power outages for two to three times a day. Hopefully, this problem will be resolved shortly. Tonight, 82 megawatts will be onstream from the Panay Energy Development Corp. (PEDC). More will be onstream next year. Then, another power plant is on the line in Concepcion. They will hold their groundbreaking this year and hopefully, in three years time, we’ll have 200 megawatts onstream,” he said.
Drilon acknowledged the said coal-fired power plant is facing criticisms. “The foul odor they are complaining about must be inspected in order to guard the people’s health. The community should always be on constant watch because the environment is at stake. But please, do not stop the operation of the power plant. Just make sure that it is acceptable. Our people have suffered long enough,” he added, causing the guests to applaud.
The second infrastructure that Drilon cited as very important to boost investor confidence is water.
His remark elicited another round of applause from the participants. “According to a World Bank study, the Metro Iloilo Water District is providing low value-for-money water to the Ilonggos. The services provided are lower in quality. Sadly, instead of looking for solutions, there is internal conflict among the board of directors of MIWD,” Drilon said.
He gave an assurance that he is now in constant talks with responsible sectors in order to solve the city’s problems on power and water.*
