Buseco avoids disconnection

By : Shiela Mae Butlig

Correspondent

Residents of Bukidnon who are under pressure  in worry of the might disconnection of service of Buseco to Bukidnon Sub-Transmission Corporation (BSTC)  can now relax after the Energy Regulatory Commission today approved Buseco’s petition of a cease and desist order to stop BSTC from disconnecting them in a return favor that Buseco’s should pay 10 percent of its obligation to the latter.

In a statement , Atty Rexie Digal , ERC’s spokesperson said that  the Commission ordered the Bukidnon Sub-Transmission Corporation (BSTC) to halt its disconnection and suspension of service to (Buseco) . This is the Commissions intervention to Buseco’s  petition it filed on September 09, 2016, Friday at 5 in the afternoon praying for a cease and desist order to hinder BSTC from disconnecting them.

ERC Chairman and CEO Jose Vicente B. Salazar reasoned out that the suspension of Buseco’s electric service may cause a socio-economic impact.

“The ERC acted with dispatch on the petition of Buseco for the issuance of a cease and desist order against BSTC to avert any negative socio-economic impact that will be caused by the suspension of Buseco’s electric service”, said the Chairman.

In return to the ruling of ERC to issue a cease and desist order to BSTC , Buseco was there ordered to pay 10% of its obligation to BSTC.

“Considering that such disconnection will cause serious and irreparable damage to the consumers, the Commission directed the parties to observe the status quo prevailing before the issuance of the notice of disconnection and refrain from the intended disconnection of Buseco’s facilities. The Commission also directed BUSECO to pay at least ten percent (10%) of the latter’s outstanding balance pending the hearing and disposition of the case”, Salazar added.

Supposedly ,  BSTC was set to effect the disconnection of service to Buseco tomorrow , September 15, 2016 (Thursday) at 12:00 NN. And the said  disconnection would  deprived the whole franchise area of Buseco of electricity service since BUSECO would not receive electricity through the BSTC Sub-Transmission System for the duration of the suspension of service of BSTC.

The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) on the other hand , was likewise set to schedule an interpretation on September 15, 2016 at 12:00 NN to pave the way for such disconnection and suspension of service of BSTC  to Buseco.