Party-list group questions power rate hike

MANILA, Philippines - Party-list group Agham questioned yesterday the increase in electricity rates starting next month.

“This is a concern for us consumers, because we will again suffer the burden of an additional cost to the already high power rate,” Agham president Angelo Palmones said.

He said the impending increase would go to a fund for incentives to be given to investors in renewable energy (RE) projects.

The adjustment, when accumulated, would amount to billions that will go to the pockets of investors, he said.

“We heard that TransCo would start to collect from electric cooperatives and power distributors an increase of up to P0.12 centavos from the previous P0.04 centavos per kilowatt hour, and this will be nationwide. This is a 300 percent increase. Why will consumers shoulder the incentives for RE developers?” Palmones asked.

Palmones lamented that Mindanao has been continuously suffering from blackouts.

He said imposing the additional charge on Mindanao consumers would be adding insult to injury.

“They have to suffer daily brownouts. Yet, they will be asked to pay an additional cost starting next month. Where is justice here?” he said.

He said he fully supports harnessing renewable energy sources because of the benefits to the health of people and the environment. 

However, he added that there are renewable energy facilities like geothermal plants with greater outputs and which could be enhanced for better performance to avoid the impending rate increase.

Palmones pointed out that the increase could have adverse effects on both households and business establishments. 

“In this difficult time, government must find other alternatives or means to relieve the consumers of the added expense,” he said.