After a series of power rate hikes, customers of electric cooperatives in Iloilo and other parts of Western Visayas can expect their bills to go down in the coming months.
According to the Electric Cooperatives Association of Region VI, Inc. (ECAR-6), power rates in the region are expected to decrease starting June this year.
“Rest assured that our rate will decrease especially that [the] cooler weather [condition] in May can lead to lower consumer consumption,” engineer Jose Redmond Roquios, general manager of the Iloilo Electric Cooperative (ILECO II), said during a press conference.
He also assured that ILECO II will continue to provide quality electricity service to their customers in Pototan, Mina, Dueñas, Dingle, Passi City, San Enrique, Calinog, Bingawan, Lambunao, Janiuay, Badiangan, Zarraga, New Lucena, Barotac Nuevo, and Dumangas.
“Our primary goal is to offer reliable and affordable electricity to our customers,” Roquios said.
Lawyer James Balsomo II, ILECO III general manager, projected their rate to decrease by P1 to P2 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) in June.
ILECO III serves the towns of Anilao, Banate, Barotac Viejo, San Rafael, Ajuy, Concepcion, Lemery, San Dionisio, Sara, Balasan, Batad, Carles, and Estancia.
Meanwhile, ILECO I’s service area covers Oton, Tigbauan, Guimbal, Miag-ao, San Joaquin, San Miguel, Alimodian, Igbaras, Tubungan, Leon, Santa Barbara, Pavia, Cabatuan, Maasin, and Leganes.
Numerous consumers complained about their high electricity bills in the second quarter of the year.
Shirley Laurente, general manager of the Guimaras Electric Cooperative (GUIMELCO) and ECAR-6 president, attributed the increase in power rates to the significant rise in generation cost at the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM).
“To meet our energy demands, we rely primarily on our contracted power suppliers. And supplement our remaining power supply by sourcing additional power from WESM,” she explained.
Electric cooperatives in the region resorted to WESM due to the shutdown of geothermal power plants since April that caused thinning reserves, the shutdown of six power plants due to mechanical equipment failure, and high heat indices and increased consumer demands.IMT
