Power source's privatization seen to increase rates

By Carmelle Marie Harrow

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

TWO civil society groups said privatizing the Agus-Pulangi hydropower complex in Bukidnon will result in the increase in power rates.

Salvador Feranil, vice president of Power Alternative Agenda in Mindanao (Palag) - Mindanao South Chapter, said that with the privatization, "large portions of our power and energy source will be offered for bids and this will gravely affect the power rates here in Mindanao."

"As of now, we are still enjoying at least P2 kilowatt per hour rates for our power supply, not for long, that is why we are here to ask for your help and oppose its privatization," said Jong Pacanot, president of Freedom from Debt Coalition (FDC) Southern Mindanao chapter.
Palag-Mindanao and FDC Southern Mindanao are also pushing for the reform of the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 (Epira).

Under the Epira Act of 2001, "all National Power Corporation generation and transmission facilities, real estate properties and other disposable assets, as well as its existing power supply contracts, with independent power producers shall be privatized."

Feranil believes that the Epira is a massive failure and that it has not lived up its purpose.

He said they will continue to urge the citizenry to help in opposing the privatization of remaining power and energy sources in Mindanao through a signature campaign.

Davao City Councilor Pilar Braga also said she will urge the City Council to pass a resolution opposing the privatization of the National Power Corporation's (Napocor) Agus-Pulangi hydropower complex.

Published in the Sun.Star Davao newspaper on June 09, 2011.