ERC orders BSTC not to cut off Buseco’s power supply due to P7-million debt

by Lenie Lectura - September 14, 2016

www.businessmirror.com.ph/erc-orders-bstc-not-to-cut-off-busecos-power-supply-due-to-p7-million-debt/

THE Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has ordered Bukidnon Sub-Transmission Corp. (BSTC) not to cut off Bukidnon Second Electric Cooperative (Buseco), amid the latter’s unpaid dues amounting to P7 million.

“The ERC acted with dispatch on the petition of Buseco for the issuance of a cease-and-desist order against BSTC to avert any negative socioeconomic impact that will be caused  by the suspension of Buseco’s electric service,”  ERC Chairman and CEO Jose Vicente B. Salazar said.

Buseco sought the intervention of the ERC through a petition it filed on September 9.

BSTC was ready to disconnect Buseco’s service at 12 noon on September 15.

The disconnection would have deprived the whole franchise area of Buseco of electric service, since Buseco would not receive electricity through the BSTC Sub-Transmission System during the suspension of service by BSTC.

The ERC then directed BSTC not to pursue  its service disconnection and suspension to Buseco in view of the latter’s alleged failure to pay its delinquent accounts with BSTC.

“Considering that such disconnection will cause serious and irreparable damage to the consumers, the commission directed the parties to observe the status quo prevailing before the issuance of the notice of disconnection and refrain from the intended disconnection of Buseco’s facilities,” Salazar said.

The commission also directed Buseco to pay at least 10 percent of the latter’s outstanding balance pending the hearing and disposition of the case.

BSTC is operating the 69-kiloVolt Sub-Transmission System in the province of Bukidnon and serving First Bukidnon Electric Cooperative Inc. and Buseco.