By Recto I. Vidal The Boracay Foundation Inc. (BFI) and the Diocese of Kalibo has asked the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) to stop the Aklan Electric Cooperative (Akelco) and the Mirant Philippines from constructing a 13.8 KV sub transmission line to Boracay Island.Jose Antonio Morillo, BFI vice president for external affairs and representative of the Diocese of Kalibo, expressed his alarm over what he described as a very disturbing development wherein the Akelco, financed by Mirant through a P35 million loan, began constructing a submarine cable 13.8 KV towards the island of Boracay.""If true, this is an affront to the authority of the ERC which has jurisdiction over this issue as the construction of this dedicated line will impact on the rates which the people of Boracay and even Aklan will be saddled with," Morillo opined.In a letter dated July 22, 2005, Morillo reminded the ERC chairman regarding a public hearing held in Boracay last March 4, 2005, wherein the Akelco-Mirant Energy Power Purchase Agreement and the installation of the submarine sub transmission cable to Boracay.In the said public hearing and as the record would show, Morillo said that a decision was arrived at and was welcomed by both Boracaynons and Aklanons to "allow TRANSCO to build a bigger line capacity of 69 KV sub transmission line to Boracay. Thus making it a commercial decision to do so in lieu of the proposed smaller 13.8 KV line of the Akelco-Mirant's." Morillo said that this is one of the issues pending before the ERC. "We plead with utmost urgency for the ERC to intervene on the matter. Has Akelco-Mirant totally no respect and regard to the authority of its body? We, the BFI and the Diocese of Kalibo, plead that the Akelco-Mirant cease and desist from further constructing this submarine cable," Morillo appealed in the letter.Previously, a series of public hearings have been held in various part of this province and in Boracay. In the same letter, Morillo also asked that a ruling on the 10 percent late payment charge imposed by Akelco on all its consumers."For the time being, Akelco, through a memorandum circular dated March 8, 2005 has suspended the collection of the 10 percent late payment surcharges."We humbly ask that the ERC present a permanent solution on the matter to scrap this prohibitive and exorbitant charges," Morillo appealed. In an interview with Erico Bucoy, executive officer of Akelco, he clarified that the ERC has ruled that the proposed 69KV submarine cable of Transco as a "commercial agreement between the former and Akelco and not as a commercial decision of Transco as misleading publicized by Morillo."Up to this time, Transco has not made any price offer. The latest document on the project is a memorandum of understanding signed prior to the ERC ruling. If the agreement is pushed through, the 69 KV Nabas-Caticlan line will be used by Transco to supply its submarine cable. Akelco has to look for funds to finance a 69 KV line and substation inside Boracay and the total cost would be much higher for Boracay," Bucoy admitted.Meanwhile, Mr. Rodson Mayor accused Mr. Erico Bucoy of making AKELCO his “milking cow”. According to Mayor, Mr. Bucoy is receiving since April 2002 more than P300,000 monthly from AKELCO, P1,000 a day food allowance, unlimited travel expenses, and water and housing allowance among others. Because of the “money Mr. Bucoy is receiving from AKELCO, he is now reconstructing his house and was able to purchase a Ford Expedition vehicle” Mr. Mayor pointed out.“These are not true,” Mr. Bucoy retorted. “The money being used to finance my house repair comes from the bank loan”, Mr. Bucoy said. “I will file the 12th suit against Mr. Mayor,” Mr. Bucoy said further.The following day, it was announced over the radio in Aklan, “Mr. Erico Bucoy resigned his post at AKELCO.” The AKELCO Board of Directors has accepted the resignation. /MP http://madyaas_pen
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