On Rural Electrification Post Sought
By: Recto I. Vidal
PDI Visayas Bureau
The National Association of Electricity for Consumers for Reforms (Nasecore) called for the abolition of the position of presidential adviser on rural electrification (PARE). Nasecor claims that the position is unnecessary in a restructured power industry.
In a press statement obtained by Madyaas Pen, just recently, the consumer group asserted that the creation of PARE with oversight responsibility over the National Electrification Administration (NEA) is "redundant" as the Department of Energy (DOE) already exercises supervisory power over NEA.
"The creation of PARE is actually an affront to the DOE as this can be construed that the Department of Energy is not able to meet the Rural Electrification targets," Pete Ilagan, president of Nasecore said.
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo created PARE prior to the May 2004 elections and appointed former NEA Administrator Francisco G. Silva to occupy the position with the rank of Secretary. Prior to his stint as NEA Administrator, Silva was the general manager of three electric cooperatives in Cebu.
Ilagan noted that the creation of PARE by President Arroyo has disturbed the clear delineation of functions of government functionaries. For instance, the DOE Secretary is the chairman of NEA and Secretary Silva who does not hold any department exercises oversight functions over NEA.
"This set-up creates confusion especially if the NEA Board policies are not acceptable to Silva or when the DOE's program on rural electrification runs counter to Secretary Silva's ideas," Ilagan pointed out.
Ilagan added that "even the NEA website is confusing as Secretary Silva's position is above of the NEA Administrator but the DOE Secretary does not even appear on the website."
The consumer group hopes that "in the spirit of public service," President Arroyo will abolish the PARE. /MP mailto:madyaas_pen@yahoo.com
By: Recto I. Vidal
PDI Visayas Bureau
The National Association of Electricity for Consumers for Reforms (Nasecore) called for the abolition of the position of presidential adviser on rural electrification (PARE). Nasecor claims that the position is unnecessary in a restructured power industry.
In a press statement obtained by Madyaas Pen, just recently, the consumer group asserted that the creation of PARE with oversight responsibility over the National Electrification Administration (NEA) is "redundant" as the Department of Energy (DOE) already exercises supervisory power over NEA.
"The creation of PARE is actually an affront to the DOE as this can be construed that the Department of Energy is not able to meet the Rural Electrification targets," Pete Ilagan, president of Nasecore said.
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo created PARE prior to the May 2004 elections and appointed former NEA Administrator Francisco G. Silva to occupy the position with the rank of Secretary. Prior to his stint as NEA Administrator, Silva was the general manager of three electric cooperatives in Cebu.
Ilagan noted that the creation of PARE by President Arroyo has disturbed the clear delineation of functions of government functionaries. For instance, the DOE Secretary is the chairman of NEA and Secretary Silva who does not hold any department exercises oversight functions over NEA.
"This set-up creates confusion especially if the NEA Board policies are not acceptable to Silva or when the DOE's program on rural electrification runs counter to Secretary Silva's ideas," Ilagan pointed out.
Ilagan added that "even the NEA website is confusing as Secretary Silva's position is above of the NEA Administrator but the DOE Secretary does not even appear on the website."
The consumer group hopes that "in the spirit of public service," President Arroyo will abolish the PARE. /MP mailto:madyaas_pen@yahoo.com
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