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Alternative consumer fair launched in Baguio

BAGUIO CITY (Oct. 27) — The Metro Baguio Promotion of Consumers’ Social and Economic Rights (MB PRO-Consumer) held an alternative Consumer Fair on October 24 here as a culminating activity for Consumer Month. The event gained support from members of the city council.

The said fair served as a venue for discussion of various issues affecting city residents, such as the upcoming water and power rate increase and the price hike of basic commodities.

On power

Tongtongan ti Umili (TTU) Secretary General and PRO-Consumer convenor Chie Galvez said that the increases are due to the impending conversion of the Benguet Electric Cooperative (BENECO) from a non-stock cooperative to a stock cooperative and the ongoing re-organization of Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA).

According to Galvez, the recent adjustments in water and electric bills are just the start of more hikes to come as a result of the government’s privatization program for government-owned agencies that include the National Power Corporation (NPC) and LWUA.

Galvez stressed that the privatization of government agencies and corporations would further limit consumer’s access to basic services like electricity and water.

On oil

Geraldine Cacho of Organisasyon dagiti Nakurapay nga Umili ti Syudad (ORNUS) blames the oil deregulation law for the continuous oil price hikes that resulted to the increase in prices of basic commodities.

Cacho added that majority of the urban poor could not make ends meet due to the soaring price of goods and services. She explained that even if four members of the family pitch in for the family’s income, they wouldn’t be able to raise P573 – the government-set standard daily cost of living for a family of six – a day given the scarcity of decent paying jobs.

She further asked all concerned sectors to unite and address the root cause of the problem. “Nu nakaya tayo nga nangpa-ikkat iti duwa a presidente, kabaelan tayo met nga i-scrap ti oil deregulation law”, Cacho stressed.

Meanwhile, City Councilor Rocky Balisong, the present head of the Committee on Public Utilities said that the city council already passed a resolution to the national government urging to scrap the oil deregulation law. He added that the presence of the said law is the reason why the oil price hikes are uncontrolled.

On water

Balisong also revealed that in his recent visit to Itogon, Benguet, he learned that Benguet Corporation (BC) did not consult the residents of the said town regarding its proposal to source out its water to supply the city. He also learned that even the municipal council of Itogon did not endorse BC’s project.

It can be recalled that BC joined Baguio Water District’s (BWD) Baguio Bulk Water Supply bidding for additional water supply for the city. PRO-Consumer declared in a statement that the taking of water sources of a private corporation like BC and selling water at a very high cost is an example of privatization.

On the other hand, Mayor Braulio Yaranon stressed that the city has sufficient water sources that only need to be developed. He identified at least three wells being drilled that would produce an additional 12 cubic meters of water a day, while eight additional wells are yet to be developed. “If the city can generate its own water, it would lessen the cost for residents,” he concluded. # Kim N. Quitasol for NORDIS

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