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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'Same freaking problem': Palawan native Tulfo wants PALECO franchise reviewed over neverending brownouts

'Same freaking problem': Palawan native Tulfo wants PALECO franchise reviewed over neverending brownouts

Published Feb 6, 2024 10:10 am

At A Glance

  • A fuming ACT-CIS Party-list Rep. Erwin Tulfo has sought a congressional review of the franchise of the problematic Palawan Electric Cooperative (PALECO), which he appears to be very familiar with. 

FB_IMG_1691090425487.jpgACT-CIS Party-list Rep. Erwin Tulfo (Facebook)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A fuming ACT-CIS Party-list Rep. Erwin Tulfo has sought a congressional review of the franchise of the problematic Palawan Electric Cooperative (PALECO), which he appears to be very familiar with. 

Tulfo, in a hearing of the House Committee on Energy Monday, Feb. 6, told PALECO representatives that he actually grew up in the province. 

“Taga doon po ako (I'm from there). I was raised in Palawan, I was there since 1972. Alam ko na binuksan kayo nung 1974 (I know you opened in 1974), same freaking problem up to now, 2024 na po tayo (It's already 2024). Same problem, brownout,” said the deputy majority leader. 

“I think it’s high time that the Committee on Franchise will have to review the franchise of PALECO. We need to get rid of this company. Since 1974, people of Palawan have been suffering the same problem over and over again,” Tulfo said. 

He said that based on reports, power interruptions in Palawan can last four to five hours or more, almost every day. 

Adding insult to injury was PALECO General Manager Engineer Rez Contrivida's admission during the hearing that the electric cooperative increased its power rate late last year. 

In an advisory last Dec. 2023, PALECO bared that it hiked its rate from P13.67 rate to P14.71 per kilowatt hour. 

“Saan kayo kumukuha ng kapal ng mukha? Lagi kayong brownout tapos mag-i￾increase pa kayo? How can you do that? Hindi ba kayo nahihiya sa mga taga-roon?” Tulfo asked. 

(How can you be so shameless? The brownouts are frequent and yet you increase the rate? How can you do that? Haven't you any shame for the locals there?) 

 

CLICK HERE:

https://mb.com.ph/2024/2/3/gatchalian-agrees-nea-must-take-over-problematic-palawan-electric-coop

 

Tulfo also took to task the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) for allowing PALECO to increase its power rates despite the company’s dismal performance. “Bakit pinapayagan ng ERC yung increase? Ang pangit na nga ng serbisyo tapos inaaprubahan ang increase,” he asked. 

(Why did ERC allow the increase? The service is terrible and yet, the increase gets approved.) 

For his part, Palawan 2nd district Rep. Jose Alvarez, suggested to all the officials of PALECO to submit their resignations after they refused to admit that they failed to give quality service to Palaweños. 

“Tinutulungan namin kayo dito sa Kongreso para solusyunan ang problema, pero hindi niyo inaamin na may pagkukulang kayo, so paano namin kayo tutulungan? Dapat siguro mag-resign na kayo,” Alvarez told the PALECO leadership. 

(We're trying to help you find solutions here in Congress, but you can't even admit to your own shortcomings. Maybe you should all resign.)

 

Related Tags

BROWNOUTS PALECO Erwin Tulfo
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