The Sensitivity of Akelco
Engr. Ricardo Ilito, General Manager of Akelco announced Akelco will not continue with its earlier announcement of P2.10 rate increase per kilowatt hour. With this announcement, Akelco management is also sensitive to criticism.
The announcement came six (6) hours before the mass rally at 1:00 o’clock in the afternoon of Thursday, December 14, 2006. This is a 180 degrees turn about from the P2.10 earlier announced.
However, the announcement did not deter the rally participants who came from all stations in life such as the religious, local government units, civic clubs and cause oriented groups.
Akelco management was persistent in its rate increases which it implemented gradually. The rate increases collection started at P0.93 per kilowatt hour in its October – November 2006 billings. Perhaps, Akelco is now enlightened brought about by the barrages of protests emanating from the consumer members.
However, Hon. Franklin Quimpo assured Akelco the protest against the P2.10 and or any amount of rate increase will not stop until the EPPA between Akelco and Mirant Global is rescinded.
Akelco consumers appear vigilant because of Akelco pronouncements which were short of honesty and sincerity. For instance, in 2003, local government officials of Aklan were assured that the cost of power to be purchased from Mirant Global will be as high if not lower than that being purchased from NPC. The EPPA was signed between Akelco and Mirant with LGU Aklan officials as witnesses. After a few months, the same EPPA was amended without the knowledge of these who witnessed the signing of the original EPPA.
There is a need for Akelco to repair its damaged credibility. The least it can do is apologies and make amends sincerely.
Akelco’s P16.3M Damage
According to Akelco, typhoon Seniang damaged 261 posts in Aklan and in the two towns of Pandan and Libertad, Antique. These damages included not only posts but also wires, electric meters, screws and others with a total value of P16,216,116.07.
After five days of repairs and as of December 14, about 50 percent of its services are restored. According to Engr. Eugene Regatalio, it might take about seven (7) days more to restore 100 percent service to its consumers. Ibajay, Nabas, Buruanga and Malay especially Boracay Island were badly hit and damaged.
According to Engr. Regatalio, Akelco has six crews and some private contractors doing repair jobs from daylight to day off. Antique Electric Cooperative has sent six (6) linemen to Akelco. They are now doing repair jobs in Boracay Island.
LOW MORALE
Akelco crew members who are doing repair works appear to have little enthusiasm in their jobs. This maybe brought about by the continuous negative criticism Akelco management and board are receiving from all corners of Aklan. Some observers revealed the Akelco repair crews are just working during daylight.
Well, this emergency is another opportunity for Akelco personnel to show their love of work, care to consumers regardless of negative criticism. These technical personnel will be highly commended and appreciated as they are should they continuously speed up the repair jobs and bring light to the electric consumers as early as possible. The negative criticism is addressed to the policy makers and management.
Filipinos Increase Rice Intake
According to the National Census and Statistics, the Filipinos increased their rice intake from105 kilograms per capita to 119 kilograms annually. This is an increased of 13.33 percent. As pointed out by Dr. Fresco Malabanan, Executive Director of Hybrid Rice Production Program, the increase intake is a factor to increase palay production per unit area. If not, then rice importation w.ill continue.
But some palay producers differ with Dr. Malabanan. Due to the price of palay pegged at P10 kilogram, the rice farmers are made the working carabaos of the consumers. With the already high and still increasing cost of palay productions palay farmers are reduced into paupers. It is cheaper to buy rice in the market than to produce palay in the paddies.
To many, the increasing intake of rice is due to the comparatively low price of palay in the market compared to beef, fish, pork, chicken, vegetables and fruits. People tend to eat more rice and less of fish, meat, fruits and vegetables of which are more expensive. Most guests in parties like birthday and wedding eat no rice but more meat, fish and fruits. They said, "we have more rice at home, but less fish, beef, pork and fruits. Why eat rice in a party? /MP mailto:madyaas_pen@yahoo.com
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