business mirror
THURSDAY, 02 AUGUST 2012 19:34 PAUL ANTHONY ISLA
THE First Gen Hydro Power Corp. (FG Hydro), the hydropower arm of First Gen Corp., on Thursday restored power supply to the electric-distribution firm owned by the municipal government of Pantabangan, Nueva Ecija.
FG Hydro owns and operates the Pantabangan-Masiway Hydroelectric Complex.
In restoring power service to the Pantabangan Municipal Electric Services (Pames), FG Hydro said it was cognizant of the appeals of residents affected by the disconnection, which was a consequence of the repeated failure of Pames to honor its obligations to FG Hydro for the past five years.
FG Hydro said the repeated failure of Pames to pay its electricity bills forced FG Hydro to disconnect power service to Pames on July 23.
In restoring power service, FG Hydro also acknowledged the help of Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo and Nueva Ecija Gov. Aurelio Umali, who interceded and proposed an acceptable compromise agreement.
FG Hydro commended government officials for their proactive response to FG Hydro’s own proposals, which take into consideration both the welfare of the residents and the continued viability of the company and its ability to efficiently serve not only Pames but other customers, as well.
FG Hydro said it has accepted the assignment of proceeds of the Pantabangan municipal government’s share in real property, national wealth and local business taxes. The assignment was formally proposed in a meeting held under the auspices of Robredo and Umali.
There was also a proposal to assign to FG Hydro the municipality’s share from the Internal Revenue Allotments (IRA), but FG Hydro declined the proposal.
“We are aware that the IRA has been earmarked for the payment of the salaries of the employees of the municipal government, and we want these employees to continue getting their benefits,” FG Hydro said.
FG Hydro said it also acknowledged the appeals for re-connection made by Party-list Rep. Teodoro “Teddy” Casiño of Bayan Muna, as well as prominent Pantabangan residents, such as Fr. Ernie P. Pesimo, members of the La Solidaridad, and the Pantabangan Municipal Employees Union.
During the power cutoff, FG Hydro provided generator sets to four affected schools: the Pantabangan National High School, Pantabangan East Central School, Tanawan Central School and Pantabangan West Central School, which also effectively served as mobile phone-charging stations for residents.
(Paul Anthony Isla) source
No comments:
Post a Comment