Power rates in Oro seesaw in April, May, reveals Lao

POWER rates in the city were increased by an average of 50 centavos per kilowatthour in April but was reduced by 62 centavos in May.

Councilor Teodulfo Lao Jr., chairman of the city council’s energy committee, revealed this even as he expressed dismay over what he said was the Cagayan Electric Power and Light Co.’s failure to immediately inform city hall and the public about the rate adjustments.

Lao said the energy committee only learned about the priceate adjustments when it met with Cepalco executives over a week ago.

He said the power-generation charge was increased because Mindanao’s hydroelectric power generation slowed down due to the scorching summer heat in April.

Because the hydroelectric power sources were not generating enough, he said the power industry players relied more on coal-fired power plants and other power sources.

“Basta summer, mokana-og man ang  power  production sa hydro plants  tungod  mokana-og man pud ang water level sa mga dam sa Lake Lanao ma-o nang nag-shortage ta sa power supply sa  hydro niadtong bulana,” Lao said.

With the rains since May, Lao said, power consumers here can expect their power bills to show a 62-centavo per kwh decrease in power rates effective May. He said the decrease would be reflected in the June billings.

Lao however said he was disappointed that power consumers in the city were not immediately informed about the rate adjustments.

Other councilors also expressed dismay. Councilor Ian Mark Nacaya, for one, proposed that the city opened itself to other power distributors so that Cepalco would have competition.

But Lao pointed out that Nacaya’s proposal would be a difficult task given Cepalco franchise from Congress. He however said he agreed that power consumers should not be dependent on Cepalco alone.

Meanwhile, the city council’s energy committee is looking into a proposal to grant power consumers in the city that use solar energy tax incentives.

“Abonda man ta sa init sa adlaw so kon pangsuga lang, mas maayo nga ang  atong katawhan mo-adopt na sa pag-gamit sa solar power,  ug kadtong mo-invest sa solar power atong hatagan sa tax incentives,” Lao said. (nitz arancon)