October 23, 2018 | 9:03 pm
THE Department of Energy (DoE) said
it reported to the police various government agencies that have failed to
settle electricity bills owed to distribution utilities.
“Being part of the government, we
need to be earnest in pursuing energy-resiliency and efficiency. In order to
attain our energy goals, it is important that we are all able to uphold our
commitment to our stakeholders and service providers,” DoE Secretary Alfonso G.
Cusi said in a statement.
The DoE said Energy Undersecretary
Alexander S. Lopez sought the assistance of the Philippine National Police,
Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine Coast Guard, and National Bureau of
Investigation to help settle delinquent accounts payable to distribution
utilities and electric cooperatives. It estimated the total payables at P17
million.
“As we’ve been pushing for massive
electrification, energy efficiency and security of the country, I am pleading
on behalf of the distribution utilities (DUs), including the electric
cooperatives (ECs), for the concerned government institutions to settle their
outstanding accounts. DUs and ECs collect revenue to generate cash flow that
would enable them to provide efficient and sustainable services to the areas
they serve,” Mr. Cusi said.
The DoE said the arrears are among
the challenges that could weaken the operations of distribution utilities. It
added that the payables also imply shortcomings in the DU’s collection
processes.
The agency said based on data
provided by the National Electrification Administration, 23 electric
cooperatives have pending collectibles.
Of these ECs, five are in Region 4
or Mimaropa (Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and
Palawan); and five in Region 12 or Soccsksargen (South Cotabato, Cotabato City,
Cotabato Province, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and General Santos City).
Regions 8 (Eastern Visayas) and
Region 13 (Caraga) have three ECs each in the NEA list, while Region 5 (Bicol)
and Region 9 (Zamboanga Peninsula) have two ECs each. Region 1 (Ilocos), Region
VI (Western Visayas) and Region XI (Davao) have one each.
“The entire energy family continues
to assure the public that it will closely monitor the accountability of the DUs
and government institutions in fulfilling their respective obligations,” the
DoE said. — Victor V. Saulon
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