Photo 1: The provincial government of Lanao del Sur convenes stakeholders and member-consumers from various sectors in a held energy summit to discuss and come up with solutions to solve its issue of power. (Jason Casas/PIA-10/Lanao del Sur)
MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur (PIA)--Pondering upon the existing debt of the Lanao del Sur Electric Cooperative, Inc. (LASURECO) and more energy issues pressing the province here, the provincial government led Tuesday, July 19, an energy summit to figure out permanent and inclusive solutions, and finally craft policy recommendations.
The event convened the members of the energy sector, municipal mayors, vice mayors, line agencies, ulamas or traditional leaders, and civil society organizations (CSOs) to gather and discuss ways forward from the previously held energy pre-summit.
Governor Mamintal Alonto Adiong Jr. stressed that if there would be no solution to their current dilemma, the province would end up having its power supply cut-off which would result in more problems in various aspects like the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) response, education system, government operation, and almost all day-to-day routine of Maranaos.
Earlier, he detailed that the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corporation (PSALM) delivered a notice of disconnection of LASURECO after the latter failed to pay its ballooning due which hit roughly P13.1 billion as of June 30 this year.
To be spared from this demand, the electric cooperative accordingly sought a temporary restraining order (TRO) which was hereby issued by the Marawi City Regional Trial Court (RTC) effective for three days.
An emergency meeting involving the PSALM, the National Electrification Administration (NEA), and the LASURECO was further held to request a three-month extension to allow the province to come up with a permanent solution to the concern.
The reprieve was then granted and this drove Adiong to directly consult sectors and stakeholders in the province to effectively decide on a scheme, and immediate action and plan to achieve a sustainable solution.
He mentioned that even the local lawmakers have already committed to enacting the Condonation Law which is deemed vital to ease the burden caused by the power charges.
Several ideas have been brainstormed in the summit and even in the previously conducted pre-summit. However, the provincial governor firmly emphasized that the only permanent solution that could appropriately address this issue is the serious payment of member-consumers of their billed due.
“Dapat magbayad ang bawat mamamayan ng Lanao del Sur para hindi mawala ang kuryente natin. Binigyan tayo ng tatlong buwan. Kung hindi gaganda ang LASURECO at koleksyon nila, wala tayong mapupuntahan kung hindi mapuputulan tayo ng ilaw,” said Adiong.
[Each citizen of Lanao del Sur must pay so that our electricity will not go off. We were given three months. If LASURECO and its collection do not improve, we have nowhere to go but our lights will be cut off.]
The NEA has likewise presented that under its mandate of helping all electric cooperatives in the country, it already aided the LASURECO with its struggle through the provision of financial, operational, institutional, and technical assistance.
As such, it called for cooperation from the public to do their part which is the payment of their respective accounts.
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| Lanao del Sur Provincial Governor Mamintal Alonto Adiong Jr. underlines that the only permanent solution to their provinces' electricity problem is for the member-consumers to seriously pay their electricity bills. (Jason Casas/PIA-10/Lanao del Sur) |
“Kami sa NEA, sa national government, nabigay na namin ang lahat ng assistances. Sana, magtulong-tulong tayo at magkaroon ng commitment,” said NEA Corporate Finance Services Chief Al John Calapatia.
[We, in the NEA and the national government, already gave all the assistance. I hope we can help each other and make a commitment.]
The PSALM, on the other hand, shared that it has been doing its best to be of help to the problem where LASURECO is at the moment.
“LASURECO and PSALM are now negotiating for a contract for supply of electric energy (CSEE) and special payment agreement, and I hope soon, we can already finalize the agreement,” said PSALM Vice President for Finance Manuel Marcos Villalon II.
Other participants from invited sectors also brought up their thoughts and recommendations which were duly noted by the provincial government for their consideration. (CRG/PIA-10/Lanao del Sur)
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