ANTIQUE – Gov. Rhodora Cadiao called on the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) to conduct an investigation on the reported high power rate of the Antique Electric Cooperative, Inc. (ANTECO).
Based on the latest available and published rates of private distribution utilities and electric cooperatives in Western Visayas, ANTECO has the highest power rates among electric power distributors in the region.
Here are the power rates per kilowatt hour per distributor in Region 6:
* ANTECO in Antique – P16.19
* CENECO in Bacolod City – P15.39
* AKELCO in Aklan – P15.11
* NOCECO in Negros Occidental – P14.97
* ILECO 2 in Iloilo – P14.90
* ILECO 3 in Iloilo – P14.61
* CAPELCO in Capiz – P14.60
* ILECO 1 in Iloilo – P13.46
* MORE Power in Iloilo City – P12.48
* GUIMELCO in Guimaras – P12.17
Cadiao wrote to the SP last week requesting an audience with the ANTECO board of directors to explain their rate, including their power supply sources.
Antiqueños deserve lower power rates like those in other cities or provinces in the region, the governor added.
Cadiao pointed out the low power rate of MORE Electric and Power Corporation (MORE Power) in Iloilo City.
“I wrote the SP when I heard about. It should investigate to find out why kay kon Iloilo City is getting less, almost P4 less, why?” Cadiao told Panay News.
The governor will wait for the results of the investigation and will bring it to the attention of Department of Energy (DOE) secretary Raphael Lotilla who is a native of Sibalom, Antique.
If the provincial government is not satisfied with ANTECO’s responses, they will seek the DOE secretary’s aid to lower the rates, she added.
Cadiao is also open to the possibility of approaching Enrique Razon, owner of MORE Power, for Antiqueños to avail themselves of cheap electricity.
“Because they (Iloilo) have a new power provider. Maybe we can request the owner, Mr. Razon, ‘di ba? Tingnan natin kung ano ang magagawa natin but this has to pass the investigation and clarification from SP. ‘Pag na-receive ko na ‘yon, I’ll personally go to Secretary Lotilla and I will ask for his help,” said Cadiao.
Aside from the expensive power rate, Cadiao also wants ANTECO’s explanation regarding the frequent power interruptions in the province.
“Pirme naga-brownout dya mo,” she said.
ANTECO is the sole power distributor in Antique’s 18 towns of Hamtic, San Jose de Buenavista, Libertad, Tibiao, Laua-an, Bugasong, Valderrama, Tobias Fornier, Pandan, Culasi, Caluya, Patnongon, Sebaste, San Remigio, Anini-y, Sibalom, Barbaza, and Belison.Meanwhile, the power suppliers of ANTECO are Panay Energy Development Corporation, GN Power Mariveles, Green Core Geothermal Inc., Semirara Mining and Power Corporation, and the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market./PN
