"There are groups of haters who always try to malign my image. They question my character and make all kinds of false announcements. It hurts because they assume things and without any proof in hand."
-- Divyanka Tripathi
By Alex P. Vidal
NEW YORK CITY -- The Panay Electric Company (PECO) issue has not only divided the city officials, it has also caused animosity among some of them.
And if they are not careful, some city councilors will end up at loggerheads even before congress can make a decision on PECO's fate.
Emotions are now running high after seven members of the Iloilo City Council submitted a position paper to the House Committee on Legislative Franchises November 22 "earnestly" requesting "to resolve the issues balanced, fairly and squarely, for the best interest of everybody."
Councilors Eduardo Penaredondo, Lady Julie Grace Baronda, Ely Estante Jr., Reyland Hervias, Mandrie Malabor, Leizel Zulueta Salazar, and Jose Efrain Treñas were referring to the alleged overbilling and poor customer service issues against PECO.
Except for Penaredondo, the six councilors had earlier voted in favor of a resolution "vehemently opposing" PECO's application for extension of its franchise which will expire in 2019.
The seven may have been wheedled by the joint statement of the Iloilo Business Club, Inc., (IBC), Federation of Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Panay, Inc. (FFCCCP), and Ilonggo Producers Association (IPA) seeking for an "unbiased independent assessment" from the City Government in order to eke out an "informed decision on the options that are available."
And if they are not careful, some city councilors will end up at loggerheads even before congress can make a decision on PECO's fate.
Emotions are now running high after seven members of the Iloilo City Council submitted a position paper to the House Committee on Legislative Franchises November 22 "earnestly" requesting "to resolve the issues balanced, fairly and squarely, for the best interest of everybody."
Councilors Eduardo Penaredondo, Lady Julie Grace Baronda, Ely Estante Jr., Reyland Hervias, Mandrie Malabor, Leizel Zulueta Salazar, and Jose Efrain Treñas were referring to the alleged overbilling and poor customer service issues against PECO.
Except for Penaredondo, the six councilors had earlier voted in favor of a resolution "vehemently opposing" PECO's application for extension of its franchise which will expire in 2019.
The seven may have been wheedled by the joint statement of the Iloilo Business Club, Inc., (IBC), Federation of Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Panay, Inc. (FFCCCP), and Ilonggo Producers Association (IPA) seeking for an "unbiased independent assessment" from the City Government in order to eke out an "informed decision on the options that are available."
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Their position paper implied that they were now apparently giving PECO a new lease of life in as far as the electric utility's appeal for renewal of franchise for another 25 years is concerned.
This did not sit well with hardline anti-PECO city councilors Joshua Alim and Plaridel Nava, both #NoToPECO25 movement convenors.
Alim, who made a power point presentation against PECO during the House committee hearing on November 22, has vowed to "bring up" the matter during their next regular session on November 28.
The problem is neither Alim's forthcoming polemic against the position paper of his seven colleagues nor the seven city councilors' seeming "change of heart".
It's the ugly speculations from hard-boiled anti-PECO protesters that the seven may have been bribed.
In fact, some of these angry and unyielding anti-PECO hooters have started lambasting the so-called "PECO 7" in the social media with nary a shred of evidence.
This did not sit well with hardline anti-PECO city councilors Joshua Alim and Plaridel Nava, both #NoToPECO25 movement convenors.
Alim, who made a power point presentation against PECO during the House committee hearing on November 22, has vowed to "bring up" the matter during their next regular session on November 28.
The problem is neither Alim's forthcoming polemic against the position paper of his seven colleagues nor the seven city councilors' seeming "change of heart".
It's the ugly speculations from hard-boiled anti-PECO protesters that the seven may have been bribed.
In fact, some of these angry and unyielding anti-PECO hooters have started lambasting the so-called "PECO 7" in the social media with nary a shred of evidence.
-o0o-
This type of reaction is dangerous, and could trigger a melee that would only make matters worse for the crusade to protect the interests of the more than 50,000 power consumers in the metropolis.
While we support the move to compel PECO to improve its services and fulfill with all honesty and candor its commitment to the consumers and relinquish its role to distribute electricity to the Ilonggos if it is unable to do so, we don't agree that the issue would be pelted with unsavory accusations against some members of the city council, notably the "PECO 7" based on hearsay and emotions.
On the other hand, PECO must yield if it can not sustain the legitimate demands of the consumers after its 94 years of dominance.
It should refrain from forcing its existence to the throats of the unforgiving consumers that have suffered tremendously from apathy and lack of transparency by asking for another 25 years of service if it thinks it has ceased to provide quality life to the Ilonggos.
There are many options available and they should all be ferreted out and considered without fear and favor before 2019 so the public may know.
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