THE electric distribution utilities (DUs) servicing a certain place should secure its franchise from Congress, the only authorized by law to grant such, to maintain and operate the distribution system, veteran provincial Board Member Atty. Tomas D. Abapo, Jr. bared this in press interview.
The statement surfaced as the franchise of the Bohol Light Company, Incorporated (BLCI), the sole power distributor in the city following the sole of then Provincial Public Utilities Department (PPUD) to a private firm, is about to expire in 2025.
He said that if BLCI would like to ask for a favorable endorsement to Congress, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan may grant such only if the former could offer what the province needed.
The provincial government has a stake of 30% of the BLCI.
But if BLCI may opt to proceed without the SP’s endorsement, then it may do its own way, Abapo said.
Abapo said that Governor Aris Aumentado wanted that the next power distributor will provide a lower electric rates and that renewable energy is preferable to serve the needs for Bohol.
This came as some power firms are interested to serve the city area, according to the governor in media interview.
Those who disclosed interest are the Villar Group, Vivant Renewable Energy Corporation, Mactan Electric Company, Prime Infrastructure Capital Inc. and Aboitiz Power Corporation, the governor said.
“Interesado gyud sila sa Bohol na mag invest og power. Willing sila tungod kay ang Bohol Light’s franchise is about to expire so willing sila mo take over sa management sa Bohol Light tungod kay naa tay 30 percent share sa maong kompanya,” Aumentado quoted by Bohol Chronicle as saying.
Abapo is said to have filed an enabling ordinance at the provincial board that tries to provide stipulations, such as that DUs to offer lower power rates and power source must not come power plants using coal.
Power rates are not dictated by the DUs but governed by the law, like the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA), according to the reliable source who ask anonymity.
Sagip Party-list Congressman Marcoleta wanted to revisit EPIRA as this seemed to be not serving its purpose because of high power rates that make the Philippines as the highest power rates in Asia.
The provincial government has barred any plan for a coal-fired power plants to be built here by virtue of a provincial ordinance. But the province gets its power sources in a mixed fashion—- power generation from coal-fired and geothermal from Leyte. (rvo)
