Making a headway in her move to protect consumers against another round of power rates hike, Mayor Vilma Caluag is hopeful the legal issues affecting the San Fernando Electric Light and Power Co. Inc. (SFELAPCO) will be resolved this year.
Caluag said she is “overwhelmed and speechless” by the findings of the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) that SFELAPCO violated regulations by collecting “Other Charges” such as line rental charges, site-specific loss adjustment, and WESM charges.
“Mapapagtagumpayan po natin ito,” said Caluag. Earlier, the ERC ordered the SPELAPCO to reimburse some P654,397,381.48 million to consumers representing the collected generation fees from 2014 to 2022. ERC has also ordered SFELAPCO to pay P21,600,000 penalty for violating regulations.
The ERC decision is not final and executory, but Caluag said the it is considered a “victory” as it unraveled alleged violations of SFELAPCO. ERC said SFELAPCO implemented a Power Supply Agreement with AP Renewables Inc. without approval from the commission. Said Caluag: “Ito pong desisyon ng ERC ay panalo na kami.” But consumers have been asking when will they get their reimbursement. “This is a stroke of luck. Gusto lang natin na humingi ng tulong para labanan ang pagtaas nila ng singil pero mas malaki pa pala ang problema.” Jose Nucum, of SFELAPCO, said they “will immediately send statement when finalized.”
