CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (July 12)— The Camiguin Chamber of Commerce, Inc. is wary of the planned power rate increase of the Camiguin Electric Cooperative (CAMELCO) which is expected to take effect on its August 2018 billing.
Shirley Uy-Cutab, President of Camiguin Chamber of Commerce, Inc. expressed alarm over the impending power rate adjustment as this means more burden to businesses. The Camiguin Chamber is composed of 41 businesses members.
Camelco is charging 16.00 per kilowatt hour (Kwh), already one of those charging a high electricity rate in the country. It came under fire as Camiguin Congress representative Xavier Jesus Romualdo called out Camelco’s General Manager Adriano Ebcas for alleged gross incompetence in running the electric cooperative.
Camelco’s power demand projection made it to contract more power than what the island needed. Ebcas said that the current power demand peaked at 4.5Megawatts while its projection is 10Mw.
Congress Representative Romualdo said that the power rate adjustment could reached 20.00/Kwh, making it the country’s most expensive power rate.
Uy-Catub said that with the new power rate increase, it is bracing for its domino effect. For the chamber, it could mean higher prices for commodities and services or jobs loss.
“We are transporting goods and supplies from the mainland. Now, with the power increase, it is another burden, which could possibly be passed on to consumers,” Uy-Catub added.
Ebcas, on the other hand, distanced himself from the power rate adjustment issue, saying that it was the Energy Regulation Commission (ERC) which increased the rate.
“After careful review of the power purchased agreement between Camelco and FDC Misamis Power Coporation, the ERC approved the rate,” Ebcas said.-Lance Baconguis/NewsLine.ph
