New power rate increase is a mess – Evardone

By ALICE NICART (PIA Eastern Samar)
March 13, 2008

BORONGAN CITY, Eastern Samar  –  In an apparent concern for  his constituents Governor Ben Evardone expressed disgust over ESAMELCO’s hazy explanation why in the midst of a recent natural calamity,  it  would ever gather enough guts so as to  increase the monthly billing for electric consumption as indicated in a notice it fielded last week.

James Hopp, Board Chairman of the electric cooperative however, tried hard enough to convince the Governor, the mayors and the rest of the Provincial Development Council (PDC) members in an urgent meeting Tuesday, but he seemingly did not achieve his purpose.

San Julian Mayor Jorge Erroba detailed his strong accusation that ESAMELCO effected such an unexpected increase but he also jokingly relayed the stern warning of his barangay captains who said: should a line man comes to disconnect their line for unpaid dues with the exorbitant increase, the same  will suffer a “civilian attack”.

Also, Mayor Javier Zacate, President of Mayors League, questioned ESAMELCO for not conducting massive information campaigns or at least hold public consultations prior to their notice of the 124% increase.

Dolores Mayor Emiliana Villacarillo cited that for her January bill, she paid some P1,300 but with the new rate she is charged P2,850 which is more than doubled.

“It is such a great confusion,” the lady Mayor exclaimed. “During this period when I was charged more, I was on a vacation outside the province and the refrigerator was unplugged; I really wonder how did it happen,” Mayor Ewit wondered. She also said, that ESAMELCO people should make up their minds, otherwise, many will prefer to have their electric connections cut off, as they might opt for some more basic and urgent needs.

Hopp argued that the increase is a result of the P6.7M rental that TRANSCO is charging the electric cooperative.  He said though, that he has cautioned the ESAMELCO Finance Department to make some preparations for the acceptance of the paying public, but apparently they did not heed to his story and instead pursued their intent and passed on the financial burden to the consumers just the same.

In order to settle things up, Gov. Evardone decreed that in the next PDC meeting which he is calling for next week (again) top managers of ESAMELCO must be in attendance for them to tell clear and definite answers. He also appealed for a temporary suspension in paying for the increased rate, and instead, only the previous rate should be paid.