MANILA, Philippines — Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi has ordered a review of the compliance of power coops to the service requirements of their respective franchises after withdrawing the recommendation to cancel/revoke the franchise of 17 electric cooperatives (ECs). The review is part of the Department of Energy’s (DOE) initiatives to improve power services in the provinces by enhancing EC performance. Philippine Rural Electric Cooperatives Association Inc. (Philreca), the country’s umbrella group for electric cooperatives (ECs), has slammed Cusi for recommending to the House of Representatives last Jan. 11 the revocation of franchise of 17 ECs which were “underperforming and financially and technically distressed.”“Such recommendation was made without even giving due process to the electric cooperatives,” Philreca said. Apart from Daneco, the other power coops are Abra Electric Cooperative, Albay Electric Cooperative, Basilan Electric Cooperative, Camarines Sur III Electric Cooperative, First Catanduanes Electric Cooperative, Lanao del Sur Electric Cooperative, Maguindanao Electric Cooperative, Masbate Electric Cooperative, Occidental Mindoro Electric Cooperative, Oriental Mindoro Electric Cooperative, Palawan Electric Cooperative, Pampanga III Electric Cooperative, Sulu Electric Cooperative, Tawi-Tawi Electric Cooperative, Ticao Island Electric Cooperative and Zamboanga City Electric Cooperative. “The DOE sees the need to further evaluate and assess the present status and performance of the 17 electric cooperatives,” he said.

Source: Philippine Star February 01, 2019 16:02 UTC