Local power body to Casureco II: ‘Make your finances public’

By Paulo DS. Papa

AMID the expected reduction in power rate this month, the Naga City Power Commission urged the Camarines Sur II Electric Cooperative (Casureco II) to make its finances public thru the social and local media.

The Naga City Power Commission was constituted by executive order 2023-012 signed by Mayor Nelson Legacion on May 5, this year.

City Councilor Gilda Gayle Abonal-Gomez, chairman of the committee on people empowerment at the Sangguniang Panlungsod told Bicol Mail that during a meeting conducted on Monday, May 22, at Naga College Foundation, the local power commission required the power firm to publish its financial statement in different media platforms.

“It [Casureco II’s financial statement/transactions] must be published or posted on media platforms from which a majority number of member-consumers can see it,” says a stakeholder.

Gomez elaborated that the coop’s financial statement being required to be published and posted consists of multiple items which are itemized in the monthly bills being paid by the power consumers.

Majority of the consumers are not satisfied with explanation being made by the power coop especially when it comes to the charges indicated in their monthly power bills.

The local power commission is composed of the different Sanggunian committees: the people empowerment, public utilities, environment and energy, and consumers’ protection.

The Naga City People’s Council and other groups of stakeholders e.g. the Metro Naga Development Council, the academe, civil society organizations and the private sector were members of the local power commission.

Meanwhile, Casureco II spokesperson Rinner Bucay, in a media interview last week, confirmed that a price reduction in power rate will be implemented this month of May, as to when it will be effective, however, has yet to be determined.

The reduction was an offshoot of the Energy Regulatory Commission’s directive mandating the power coop to reduce its power rate. An Order issued April 17, 2023 by ERC Chairman Monalisa Dimalanta obliged the electric cooperative to implement lower power rates in its area of coverage.

In an interview with Mayor Legacion, it was learned that the coop should cut electricity rates to P10-11 per kWh or lower. CASURECO II was also ordered to refund the excess collection on power bills beginning May 26, 2015 up to the last billing.