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Panelco applies for new power hike

URDANETA CITY, Pangasisnan (Nov. 19) — The controversial electric cooperative operating here and renders service to Eastern Pangasinan is set to propose before the Energy Regulatory Commission a tax recovery adjustment.

Pangasinan Electric Cooperative III (Panelco) said the application has kept favorable response from the ERC and other implementing agencies as they found it ‘sufficient in form and substance’. General manager Neri Policina disclosed the hearing for the application has been set this November and copies had been furnished to municipalities to call for a public consultation.

The scheme was seen to alleviate recurrent losses the cooperative claim to experience every year because of hike in the subscription to the National Power Corporation.

The cooperative has been hit by its member-consumers for suspected corruption anomalies. A movement called Pangasinan Electric Consumers Alliance (PECA) was forged this year to jumpstart investigation to the anomalies. Its concerned erupted from reported malversation of fund by the Board of Trustees using the Paid-up share capital which amounts to about 92 million at present.

However, PECA’s fear of higher rates in electricity charges has been altered to another form as the cooperative expressed optimism for its tax recovery measure. The coop expects to again face criticisms once the implementation of the scheme has started.# Jong de la Cruz for NORDIS

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