Power Watch Negros (PWN) Secretary-General Wennie Sancho said his group will launch a signature campaign against the Central Negros Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Ceneco) over its plans to increase rates after the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) allowed Ceneco and the Korean Electric Power Corporation-Salcon Power Corporation (Kepco-SPC) to collect P232 million from consumers.

During a recent press conference, he said, although Ceneco decided to put the plans on hold temporarily, they still have to strengthen their opposition against the P232 million payment, which is attributed to an unutilized power supply contracted by the power cooperative to Kepco-SPC.

“We do not know how long it will take for the ERC to resolve this issue, even as we call for a congressional inquiry in aid of legislation to be held here in Bacolod City to put a stop to this,” Sancho said

Aside from the signature campaign, Sancho also forwarded a letter to Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Alfonso Cusi and President Rodrigo Duterte, calling for them to intervene on the matter and punish those who hastily approved the Excess Power Purchase Agreement (EPPA).

Last week, Sancho warned an additional P147 million in billing from the Filinvest Development Corporation (FDC) will soon follow.

“A total of P379 million will be passed on to the consumers,” he explained./DGB, WDJ