Detained Senator Leila de Lima on Wednesday urged the Senate to reject the measure that seeks to grant a franchise to Bicol Light and Power Corp. (Bicol Light).
De Lima said granting franchise to Bicol Light would be counterproductive especially to the constituents of Iriga City and the towns of Baao, Balatan, Bato, Buhi, Bula and Nabua in Camarines Sur, which are covered under House Bill No. 4437 or the bill granting franchise to Bicol Light.
The senator pointed out even the incumbent mayors of Camarines Sur, Bicol Electric Cooperative Association (BECA), and the Philippine Rural Electric Cooperatives Association (PHILRECA) have all spoken out against the House measure.
“I, as a daughter of Iriga City, join my fellow Irigueños and my province mates in Cam. Sur in opposing this measure,” De Lima said in a statement.
“The people of Camarines Sur deserve better from the Senate,” she stressed.
De Lima pointed out that the existing legislative franchise granted to CASURECO III in the area overlaps with those that Bicol Light seeks to serve. Furthermore, CASURECO III’s franchise will not expire until June 6, 2029.
“We are all witness to the dramatic turnaround of CASURECO III from a Category C electric cooperative in 2017 to a Category AA in 2019. This is testament to the resilience of this cooperative and its commitment to progress,” the senator stressed.
“The grant of a second distribution franchise in the area will undo this progress and set aside the hard work of the people of CASURECO III and its members,” she warned.
De Lima explained Bicol Light is a private company with a very different goals from an electric cooperative. She said that while the proponents behind Bicol Light promise superior service in terms of electrification, it does so with the understanding that it will get a not insignificant return of its investment.
On the other hand, CASURECO III seeks to provide electrification to its consumer-members within the framework of social justice and economic development.
“It is not driven by a capitalist appetite but by an overarching intent to serve and provide rural electrification,” she pointed out.
“Two power distribution companies cannot co-exist in one area. One is bound to put the other out of business because of the limited nature of the market. There is no doubt that Bicol Light can gather enough capital to outspend CASURECO III, but it is also certain that the consumers will pay the price of that competition,” she stressed.
She also warned that if Bicol Light manages to put CASURECO III out of business, it would compel its clients to pay the cost of their entry to the market.
“Bicol Light does not seek to end a monopoly. It wants to be one,” she emphasized.
“If our Congress wants to give a chance to anyone to serve the electricity needs of the people of Rinconada in Camarines Sur, we should give it to CASURECO III. We already gave them a franchise. We might as well honor it. They have been, thus far, proving that they can go the distance in providing good and affordable service to their consumer-members,” she reiterated.
“It behooves us to let them stay the course and show to us that even electric cooperatives have their place in our country’s progress. I call on my colleagues to reject HB 4437. Let us honor the existing legislative franchise of CASURECO III and protect the people of Camarines Sur,” De Lima appealed.