Toledo City gets support in its drive vs COVID-19

CEBU, Philippines —  The Toledo City got a big boost in its fight against the coronavirus disease or COVID-19.

This after the local government recently received financial support from one of the largest firms operating in the city as it strengthens its drive against the pandemic.

Global Business Power Corporation (GBP) remitted at least P23.3 million to Toledo City government to further support its response to the deadly disease.

The amount represents the Energy Regulations 1-94 (ER 1-94) fund share of Toledo City from the electricity sales of GBP’s subsidiaries, Cebu Energy Development Corporation (CEDC) and Toledo Power Co. (TPC).

CEDC and TPC, with a combined generation capacity of 428 MW, facilitated the release of the fund share in order to assist the city in mitigating the effects and consequences of COVID-19.

The Department of Energy issued Department Circular (DC) No. 2020-04-00080 to allow the utilization of ER 1-94 funds for COVID-19 response to help local government units in their fight against the pandemic, in accordance with the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act.

This will then provide LGUs more access to protective personal equipment (PPEs) for frontliners, essentials, and an improved capacity for mass testing.

“We, at GBP, are committed partners of our communities in battling the COVID-19 health crisis and its adverse consequences. Through this assistance to the City of Toledo, we are hoping to help our kababayans in rising above this challenging time”, said GBP Cebu Site Head Leah G. Diaz.

The ER 1-94 program stipulates that host communities are entitled to financial benefits of one-centavo for every kilowatt-hour (P0.01/kWh) of the total electricity sales of generating companies to finance electrification, livelihood and development projects.

GBP, through its subsidiaries, is an independent power producer in Visayas, Mindanao and Mindoro, with a total gross capacity of 1,091 MW. — LPM (FREEMAN)