ILOILO City’s Mayor Jose Espinosa III is forming a “crisis team” to address the power uncertainty that could confront the city once Congress approves the power distribution franchise of MORE Electric and Power Corp. (MORE Electric).
We believe that no one yet can be certain at this point if the franchise bill of MORE Power will get President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s approval and signature because of his speech in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan on Nov. 27, 2018, viz: “Ang nangyayari sa Iloilo I’m really trying find out: Is it justified?…Because it is providing good electricity eh gusto mo lang mang-agaw ng negosyo, sabi ko
‘wag na.” This was quoted in several newspapers.
More likely, the President will ask about PECO’s franchise bill. It will be interesting to find out from the franchise committee in the Lower House why PECO’s franchise renewal in 2017 was just frozen and not acted upon while that of MORE Power filed in July 2018 or one year later than PECO’s was promptly heard by both the Lower House and the Senate.
On Nov. 26, the bill granting MORE Power a franchise to distribute electricity in Iloilo was passed on third reading by the Senate and it was now being sent to Malacañang for President Duterte’s signature.
Panay Electric Company (PECO) reiterated its stand against selling its assets to MORE Power when its power franchise expires on Jan. 19, 2019. Nevertheless, it gave assurance that it will continue operating its power plant so there will be no disruption of power supply for the city. How long can it continue doing so after its franchise has already expired?
So, folks, we believe that the situation is still uncertain for us. Here is an additional bedtime story for you to read by your kerosene lamp when brownouts happen because of this power conflict:
THE POLICEMAN
One day I told Arthur, a friend of mine, about our policemen. Imagine they do not even have enough bullets. There is this one I know whose service pistol is almost always empty, with two or three bullets only in its chamber because the government does not give them enough budget to buy bullets. So I would shell out some money for him to buy bullets every time we meet. How can they fight crime this way?
“Who is this policeman?” Arthur asked. “Is he the one with a curve mustache, a slightly stooped shoulder and a big stomach?”
“Yes, yes, do you know him?” I asked surprised.
“Well, like you, I have been giving this guy money to buy bullets for the same reason. He would show me his gun whenever we meet with only two or three bullets in the chamber!”
***
Historical Quote of the Week
“Iloilo is the only province in the country to have an antibiotic drug named after it – the Ilozone or Ilotycin derived from erythromycin, a wonder drug developed from a local soil sample.” (For comments or re-actions, please e-mail to jnoveracompany@yahoo.com)/PN
