By Perla Lena/PNA
ILOILO CITY — A crisis management team will be created by the local government here to look into issues affecting the power distribution in this highly urbanized city.
This was announced by Mayor Jose Espinosa III during a short program following the regular flag-raising ceremony at the Plaza Libertad on Monday.
For 95 years, the Panay Electric Company (PECO) serves as the power distribution utility in Iloilo City. However, the franchise granted to PECO will expire on January 19, 2018 and its application for renewal is still pending at the House of Representatives.
Meanwhile, a new player, More Electric and Power Corporation (MORE) got the approval of the Lower House and its application is now at the Senate with the committee of Senator Grace Poe.
In previous statements, PECO said it will not in any way sell its assets to MORE, which to date has no transmission facility available in the city.
“I have ordered that there will be a crisis committee that will look into its repercussions in the city,” Espinosa said.
The team will be composed of representatives from the business and private sector, Iloilo City Police Office, and City Engineer’s Office to be headed by the city mayor.
“They will study how to prepare all sectors in case of power disruption. We don’t have the capacity to distribute,” the city mayor admitted.
Espinosa said he is not favoring any interested player because his concern is for the city to have continuous and uninterrupted power supply.
