After the Iloilo City Council passed a resolution last month opposing the franchise renewal for local power distributor, the Panay Electric Company, Inc. (PECO), Iloilo City Mayor Jose Espinosa III recently established the public utilities desk, where the public can voice their concerns regarding the utility company.

“The city government has come up with a public utilities desk because some residents are saying their complaints were not entertained,” the mayor said. “Residents should not hesitate to air their complaints.”

Iloilo City Councilor R. Leone Gerochi, who penned the resolution, previously cited complaints from consumers. Among the problems he listed included erroneous and inconsistent meter readings; poor service; and higher electricity bills, which he says has caused “customers to suffer anxiety and sleepless nights.”

Espinosa noted, complaints will be logged by the City Hall Customer Care Center (CCC), with Executive Director Eireen A. Manikan assuring complaints would be addressed immediately.

Meanwhile, the CCC will also record complaints regarding the Metro Iloilo Water District and any other public utility within the city.

Last month, the mayor, who earlier acknowledged an array of consequences if a national government takeover of the local power distributor were to occur, said he is open to proposals from investors regarding electricity.

“Investors are most welcome,” Espinosa said. “If they have any proposals, including power, they can present them to us as long as they are workable and doable.”/PLL, WDJ