Iriga, Casureco III clash over millions of pesos in unpaid debts

By Paulo DS. Papa

THE City Government of Iriga and the Camarines Sur III Electric Cooperative (Casureco III) are locked in a dispute over millions of pesos in unpaid obligations, including the city’s power bill and the cooperative’s real property tax liabilities.

Casureco III claims that the City Government of Iriga owes the electric cooperative around P389 million in electricity charges, including principal, interest and penalties.

On the other hand, the city government is demanding approximately P125 million from Casureco III in real and property taxes.

The figures were disclosed by Camarines Sur 3rd District Rep. Nelson Legacion, who said the two parties continue to contest the amount of taxes and other obligations payable by the electric cooperative to the local government.

Casureco III, according to Legacion, maintains that its tax liability to the city is only about P9 million, substantially lower than the amount being claimed by the Iriga City government.

Casureco III, which operates in the Rinconada area, also reportedly has around P100 million in remaining unpaid loans after making payments over the years toward its original debt of approximately P1.2 billion.

Legacion said the City Government of Iriga should settle its outstanding electricity bill with Casureco III.

“Member-consumers, ordinary people, comply with their payable interest and penalty fees for late payments. The LGU must also follow the same practice,” Legacion said.

The dispute has also drawn criticism from some netizens, with social media users blaming the city government for the high cost of its electricity bill and calling on City Hall to settle its obligation to the cooperative.

They expressed hope that payment of the outstanding bill could eventually help bring down electricity costs.

Meanwhile, mayors from the Rinconada area have signed an endorsement supporting the franchise application of Bicol Light Power Corporation.

The mayors identified as having signed the endorsement were Iriga City Mayor Wilfredo Rex Oliva, Baao Mayor Jeffrey Besinio, Nabua Mayor Fernando Simbulan, Buhi Mayor Rey Lacoste, Bula Mayor Manuel Ibasco Jr., Balatan Mayor Domingo Abliter and Bato Mayor Enric Dancalan.

The proposed franchise is being pursued through House Bill No. 1084, filed by Camarines Sur Gov. LRay Villafuerte, Rinconada District Rep. Migz Villafuerte, 2nd District Rep. Luigi Villafuerte, 1st District Rep. Hori Horibata and Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Terry Ridon.

The proposed franchise has drawn attention amid efforts by Villafuerte and his allies to oppose the renewal of Casureco III’s franchise.

Legacion described the proposed Bicol Light Power Corporation as untested, noting that the corporation has a reported capitalization of only P5 million.

The issue has also involved the National Electrification Administration (NEA), with Administrator Antonio Mariano Almeda reportedly backing the renewal of Casureco III’s franchise.

The franchise dispute comes as Casureco III and the Iriga City government continue to face questions over their respective financial obligations, with both sides asserting claims involving millions of pesos.