by Ambrosio R. Villorente
It is mutual. During the Regular Session of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) of Aklan held in the morning of Thursday, August 21, 2008, it approved a "Resolution Requesting The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) To Conduct An Investigation and Determine The Propriety of Rate Increases Implemented By The Aklan Electric Cooperative for The Months of July and August 2008."
The said resolution was approved by a majority votes, as all SP members present voted for its approval except Hon. Plaridel M. Morania who abstained with reservation. According to Morania, he is not against the said resolution but he wanted to wait for the information materials Akelco will furnish the SP through Engr. Ilito of Akelco." I want to foster better relation with Akelco", Morania added.
According to Hon. Gelito, Akelco has arbitrarily increased its power cost by P0.59 per kwh in its June-July billing and P0.69 per Kwh in its July-Aug. billing. For the enlightenment of the Akelco consumer – members, Hon. Gelito decided to file his resolution which got a bipartisan approval in the Aklan SP.
Assuming that Akelco sold 10 million Kwhs to its consumer – members in June – July and another 10 million Kwhs in July – August, Akelco must have collected P5.9 million additional income in July and P6.9 million in August or a total of P12.8 million via whim-wham.
SB Kalibo
In the following afternoon of Thursday, August 21, the Sangguniang Bayan (SB) of Kalibo also discussed a similar resolution during its regular session. Atty. Immanuel Sodusta, a member of the Board of Directors, Akelco who was invited to provide information to the honorable members of the SB Kalibo, as to Akelco increased rates, was not able to make it. Atty. Sodusta represents Kalibo and Numancia to the Akelco board of Directors. Nevertheless, SB Kalibo approved its resolution requesting also the Energy Regulatory Commission to conduct investigation why the electric rate in Akelco continue increasing even the price of crude oil is decreasing in the world market. Moreover, the rate increases in July and August were not subjected to public hearing, Hon. Lilian Q. Tirol pointed out.
Altavas Water
In the same session, SP Aklan also approved a resolution to forward a copy of the privilege speech of Hon. Rodson F. Mayor delivered during the 22nd Regular Session of the SP held on June 19, 2008, SP Session Hall, Provincial Capitol, Kalibo, Aklan.
The privilege speech is about the P11.086 million appropriated to finance the construction of water projects in the five barangays of Cabangila, Cabugao, Odiong, Man-up and Linayasan. The water supply construction is under the Priority Program on Water of the government.
According to Hon. Mayor, the funds for the said water projects are almost fully released as evidenced by the Status Report of the Projects. However, Hon. Mayor stressed, "it saddened me to state without fear of contradiction that except for some pipes installed in these barangays, not a drop of water (is) coming from the faucet of residents of these barangays to be obtained."
The SP Aklan organized themselves into a committee as a whole to get deeper on the alleged irregularities in Altavas, Aklan.
A committee hearing was scheduled on the matter. The committee invited those who were adversely affected by the substance of the Mayor Privilege speech. Those who were invited failed to attend the committee hearing, however.
The resolution was again discussed on the SP Regular session on Thursday, August 21 and was approved by the majority members. A copy of the Mayor privilege speech will be furnished the Ombudsman, Cebu with the request for the conduct of investigation. /MP
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