The Antiquity In Akelco
"NPC has sufficient power to supply the needs of Panay and Negros", Engr. Nelson Homena, NPC branch manager stressed.
"Badidon kag baydan", (shoot and then pay). This was guerrilla soldiers’ one method of looking for food during World War II (1942 – 1944) in Aklan. During that time, a platoon of guerrilla soldiers made my grandfather’s house in Mambog, Banga its headquarter. For several times, I heard their platoon leader giving instructions to his men. I was a small boy then. Badidon kag baydan. (shoot and then pay) The platoon leader instructed his men, He meant to shoot the chicken first then pay the owner. It was usual for the guerrilla soldiers to patrol its area of coverage and searched for food for the next meal.
The order was expressed not in Aklanon language as that platoon leader was from Antique. But that was 62 – 65 years ago.
It is really hard and so puzzling why Aklan Electric Cooperative (AKELCO) management boast to be employing modern management, but runs the firm using antique management system. Its field employees are even trespassing private properties.
Akelco is still using the guerrilla way of 65 years vintage. Perhaps, it has the latest information communication technology tools but they do not use it, refuse to use it or just do not know how to use it. Maybe Akelco has known modern management but refuses to employ it.
AKELCO management knows that the law mandates the seller (AKELCO) to inform the buyers (power consumers) before any changes in price of that commodity (electricity) is effected. But what it did was collect then inform. This is parallel to "shoot and then pay". The consumers of electricity from AKELCO were surprised when their October - November AKELCO bills increased.
AKELCO just billed its consumers without informing them of the increase rate as mandated in the magna carta of consumers. Radio, television and print media are available in Aklan for the free use of AKELCO, but it didn’t avail of it.
Communication is the lifeblood of any and all organizations. But it appears that there is no proper communication existing between and among AKELCO officials either vertical or horizontal communication flow.
Engr. Ricardo Ilito, when asked why did AKELCO raised the electric rate without prior notice, told SM Butz Maquinto in his "Ilitsahan" program in DYRU the "increase in power cost is due to "Transco". The following day, AKELCO came out with the announcement that the increase was for the power Global Business Power Corporation generated and distributed during the "test run". Who is telling lies?
Is the "test run" chargeable against the clients? Is that a part of investment?
AKELCO Board and Mirant signed an Electric Power Purchase Agreement (EPPA) with local government officials of Aklan as witnesses. Later, Akelco with Mirant signed another EPPA without the knowledge of both consumers and Aklan LGU officials the major provisions of which were altered such as power rate cost computation and exclusivity clause. This second EPPA was opposed by Atty. Romeo Inocencio, Hon. Ramon Gelito and Mr. Rudson Mayor.
Meanwhile, the Energy Regulatory Board approved the EPPA despite several questions. This EPPA approval is upon the petition of Akelco Board headed by Mr. Augusto C. Tolentino. After its discovery, this EPPA is strongly objected by the Aklan clergy, consumers, Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Aklan and others. Despite these strong objections, AKELCO is now implementing it.
Mr. Augusto C. Tolentino either loves more the Global Business Power Corporation (GBPC) than the member – consumers of AKELCO or he fears more the GBPC than the consumers members who elected him to AKELCO Board with the expectation that he protects their interest. Mr. Tolentino is afraid GBPC might sue the Akelco Board he heads for BREACH of Contract. He is not afraid of the member - consumers who might curse him.
Mr. Tolentino suggested "the consumers to petition the ERC that Akelco returns to the original rate." His suggestion is revealed in the letter AKELCO board letter addressed to Governor Carlito S. Marquez who said, this letter is replete with "air of arrogance and insult."
The AKELCO letter is printed below:
November 14, 2006
The HONORABLE GOVERNOR
CARLITO S. MARQUEZ
PROVINCE OF AKLAN
Kalibo, Aklan
Sir:
Good day!
Please be informed that AKELCO is being regulated by government agency, the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC). AKELCO cannot just implement any rate increase without prior approval of ERC lest AKELCO and its officers be penalized.
Any questions or strong objections to any regulation being implemented by AKELCO should be resolved in a proper venue. We have laws and regulations, precisely to keep peace and order in the society. We have proper venue/s that all our claims can be well ventilated and resolved.
Please refer to the provisions of the EPIRA Law or RA 9136, Sec. 43 (n) which states: "The ERC shall have the original and exclusive jurisdiction over all cases contesting rates, fees, fines and penalties imposed by the ERC…" Also the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the EPIRA Law provides that "All actions taken by the ERC pursuant to the Act are subject to judicial review and the requirements of due process and the cardinal rights and principles applicable to quasi-judicial bodies."
AKELCO is just a distribution utility; hence all charges imposed by the transmission and generation utilities, which were all approved by the ERC, AKELCO is bound under the law, to pass it on to its member-consumers. So that, any increase in the transmission and generation charges allowed by law will, of course, bring impact on the rates of electricity.
Should a decision be made by ERC to any of your petition in connection with the implementation of its Order and Regulations, AKELCO Board and Management will be bound to implement the same.
Until then, God Bless!
Sincerely yours,
Signed:
AUGUSTO C. TOLENTINO
President
ENGR. CELSO D. TAJANLANGIT
Secretary
ERMITO T. TABIGUE
Auditor
NEMESIO P NERON
Member
HAYDEEN BANDIOLA
NEA Representative to the Board
PATERNO C. IBARETTA
Vice President
DEMOCRITO BARRIENTOS
Treasurer
JOSE CARL C. QUIMPO
PRO
ROSARIO M. GARCIA
Member
ENGR. RICARDO I. ILETO
Officer-In-Charge/GM
Who tells the truth? or lie? answer: Akelco? Gov. Marquez? media? or NPC?
Kaibahang Butz Maquinto got the answer from Engr. Nelson Homena, NPC branch manager, Western Visayas, who answered: "NPC has sufficient power to supply the needs of Panay, specifically Aklan for the next 10 years." /MP mailto:madyaas_pen@yahoo.com
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