ERC conducts evidentiary hearing & public consultation on rate adjustment for LANECO

By MT News Network

Tubod, Lanao del Norte---The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) had conducted a one–day evidentiary hearing on the Lanao del Norte Electric Cooperative Incorporated (LANECO) application for rate adjustment under the RSEC-WR and a public consultation on the proposed rules on tariff glide path at the coop’s Energy Center at setio Sagadan, Poblacion here on July 6, 2010.

LANECO GM Resnol Torres said that the general public must know what are the reasons why LANECO is applying for the power rates adjustment especially that the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) has increased doubled on their power rates because of the ancillary services they contracted to the Therma Marine Incorporated (TMI) which electric cooperatives deemed unreasonable.

From January to June 2010, NGCP billed electric cooperatives in Mindanao an increased of more than 100% of the regular rates they billed to electric cooperatives and other power distribution utilities.

The said rates increased caused uproar to power consumers in Mindanao and any application of electric cooperatives for power rates increase must be clearly consulted to the public because they are very sensitive of any increase of power rates.

LANECO BOD President Reinario Bihag said that Lawyer Rhet Roswell F. Mislang of the ERC conducted the evidentiary hearing and presided the public consultation at the coop Administration Bldg. Energy Center here on Tuesday.

LANECO has applied to the Energy Regulatory Commission for power rate adjustment under the RSEC-WR and has called the ERC to conduct an evidentiary hearing including the public consultation on the proposed rules on Tariff Glide Path.

LANECO GM Resnol Torres conducted the welcome address after the LANECO voices conducted the opening prayer, led the singing of the Philippine National Anthem and the LANECO Hymn.

LANECO Internal Audit Manager Or D. Larido, Engineering Manager Timoteo F. Carwana, Finance Manager Geromias G. Velasco and Institutional Service Manager Zenaida M. Fabunan including GM Resnol C. Torres provided interesting insights regarding the status of the operations of the electric cooperative.

BOD President Rene Bihag closed the evidentiary hearing and the public consultation that was attended by member–consumers coming from all districts under the coops’ franchised area with his closing remark.