President Aquino assures Tarlac flood victims of help

TARLAC CITY, Tarlac, August 11, 2012-President Aquino assured monsoon flood victims in his home province of Tarlac that government will help in their recovery. 

Speaking before residents in Barangay Apulid in Paniqui town Friday, the Chief Executive said he admires the resiliency of the residents to immediately rise from the tragedy. He added that such trait is a positive sign of brighter things ahead. 

Aquino distributed relief goods in the village and in Barangay Sta. Lucia in Capas town together with secretaries of Social Welfare Dinky Soliman, Energy Jose Almendras, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority Joel Villanueva, Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning (PCSDO) Ramon Carandang, Aurora representative Sonny Angara, and former party-list representative Risa Hontiveros. 

In an interview, one of the evacuees in Brgy. Apulid, Elena Salcedo, 79, said, “This is even worse than typhoons Pedring and Quiel, I was scared but with the President here I am very thankful because he had seen what our current situation is and it brings me hope that soon we’ll be back to our normal lives." 

Meanwhile, Paniqui Mayor Dors Rivilla said, “evacuees will be probably be staying in the evacuation centers for three to four days until the rain stops to ensure their safety.” 

In the municipal level, we are doing our best to avert such a situation again and we are asking government to assist. Our area is a catch basin, the mayor explained. 

He also cited the construction of P16 billion Balog-Balog Irrigation Multipurpose Project (BBIMP), a megadam in the western part of Tarlac which will help in the mitigation of flooding in low-lying areas of the province. 

The Department of Agriculture explained that the project would irrigate about 39,150 hectares of farmlands in the municipalities of Concepcion, Gerona, Pura, Ramos, Paniqui, La Paz, Victoria, and Tarlac City. 

A total of 250 and 200 packs were distributed by the DSWD-3 to barangays Apulid and Sta. Lucia evacuation centers. A pack is composed of three kilos of rice, six assorted canned goods, six noodles, and coffee. 

Based on Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) figures, there are now 619 affected families or 2,291 individuals and 1,1864 families or 9,169 individuals covering Paniqui and Capas towns respectively. (Joelyn G. Baluyut)

DPWH sets P840M to rehab tail dike in Pampanga

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga, August 11, 2012-The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will allocate P840 million for the rehabilitation of a destroyed tail dike and various river channels in the province of Pampanga damaged by the two-week intense rains caused by typhoon Gener and the southwest monsoon. 

DPWH Regional Director Antonio Molano said such commitment is enclosed in a resolution passed by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan at the wake of the calamity. 

"Under the agreement, solutions that will be undertaken include the immediate re-channeling of the waterway from Gugu Creek down to San Francisco and Labuan rivers; immediate closure of the two breached portions of the tail dike; the rehabilitation and or reconstruction of spillways one and three located in the western portion and the center of the transverse dike," Molano said. 

He also said about the revival of the waterways of the Pasig Potrero river from the upper portion of the transverse dike particularly from the Maliwalu portions; and continuing yearly allocation of the necessary funds for the maintenance of the said river channels. 

The breach on two portions of the tail dike suddenly created two river channels that became the exit of strong bodies of water with remobilized lahar sediments coming from the upper portion of the transverse dike causing serious flooding and heavy siltation along the three barangays of San Fernando which are San Nicolas, San Pedro Cutud and Sta. Lucia, and the municipalities of Sto. Tomas and Minalin. 

In a statement, Governor Lilia Pineda said, "This serious flooding and heavy siltation caused by these breaches, if unabated, will also affect the McArthur Highway, including a portion of the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) between San Fernando and San Simon. At present, this flooding and heavy siltation has already dislocated thousands of residents, caused a few deaths, damaged properties and adversely affected businesses." 

Pineda said if construction will not be taken immediately, “baka mangyari sa Pinatubo ang mangyari ngayon (what happened during Pinatubo days will occur at present).” 

Latest figures from the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council reveal that 366 barangays were flooded in Pampanga during the two-week intense rains, affecting 139,359 families or 596,403 individuals. 

The council also tallied 15 casualties in the province with one missing. 

Meanwhile, the cost of damages in agriculture is at P847 million. Rice crops at P234 milion; corn, P76,000; livestocks, P228,000; high-value commercial crops, P12 million; and fisheries, P601 million. (Joelyn G. Baluyut)

PNoy, naghatid ng tulong samga biktima ng baha sa Malolos at Paombong

LUNGSOD NG MALOLOS, Bulacan, Agosto 11, 2012-Bagamat dumanas ng matinding kalamidad sanhi ng malalakas na pag-uulan nitong nakaraang mga araw na nagdulot ng malawakang pagbabaha, lubos ang kagalakan at pag-asa ang mga mamamayan ng lungsod ng Malolos at bayan ng Paombong matapos na personal na bumisita at hatiran ng tulong ni Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III kahapon ang mga residente ng dalawang nabanggit na lugar.

 

May 399 pamilya na may kabuuang 1,846 katao ang kasalukuyang nanunuluyan sa City of Malolos Integrated School bilang evacuation center ang tumanggap ng mga relief ng goods mula mismo kay Pangulong Aquino.

 

Sinabi ng Pangulo na tuwina niyang binabasa ang mga ulat na isinusumite sa kanya at sinabing ang lahat ng ahensya ay kumikilos araw at gabi upang malutas ang kasalukuyang problema.

 

Ayon pa kay Aquino, kinakailangan ng P2 bilyon para sa mga malalaking proyektong tutugon sa problema sa baha, partikular na sa mga lugar gaya ng Valenzuela-Obando-Meycauayan o ang proyektong VOM. Idinagdag din niyang paiigtingin ng pamahalaan ang national greening program upang maiwasan ang pagguho ng kabundukan na siyang pangunahing dahilan ng pagpuputik at pagbaha.

 

Gayundin, sinabi ng Pangulo sa mga Maloleño na nakikipag-ugnayan na si Public Works and  Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson na iniluklok bilang “water czar” ng bansa sa mga lugar na apektado ng baha upang asikasuhin ang pinsalang tinamo dala ng matinding pagbaha.

 

Sa pag-uusap naman nina Bulacan Governor Wilhelmino Sy-Alvarado at Kalihim Singson, hiniling nitong tipunin ang komite ng imprastraktura ng Regional Development Council sa Central Luzon matapos imungkahi ng kalihim ang pagbuhay muli sa Pampanga River Control System (PRCS), isang dibisyon ng DPWH na siyang titingin sa paghuhukay sa mga kailugan at pagmimintina ng flood control systems sa Central Luzon.

 

Nabuwag ang PRCS upang magbigay daan sa pagbuo ng Mt. Pinatubo Commission upang masagip ang lungsod ng San Fernando, Pampanga at iba pang lugar na lubhang naapektuhan ng pagputok ng Mt. Pinatubo noong 1991.

 

Sinabi din ni Alvarado kay Singson na sa panahon ni dating Pangulong Cory Aquino, hindi dumanas ng matinding baha ang lalawigan ng Bulacan dahil sa PRCS. 

 

Ipinaliwanag naman ng gobernador kay Pangulong Aquino ang kasalukuyan lagay ng baha sa Bulacan partikular na ang mga back flood na bumababa ngayon sa mga bayan ng Calumpit at Hagonoy gayundin ang lagay ng tatlong malalaking dam sa lalawigan, ang Angat, Ipo at Bustos dam. Idinagdag din niyang ginagarantiya ng mga opisyal ng Angat dam na hindi sila magpapakawala ng sobrang tubig upang hindi na makadagdag pa sa dinaranas na baha ng mga nasabing bayan.

 

Samantala, ipinag-utos naman ng gobernador ang agarang pamamahagi ng tulong kasabay ng cleanup drive kahapon, ika-10 ng Agosto kung saan 18, 150 na pamilya sa Marilao, Meycauayan at Bocaue ang nabahaginan ng relief goods.

 

Gayundin, iniutos kay Provincial Public Health Officer Dr. Jocelyn Gomez na dagliang magsagawa ng medical mission sa mga apektadong lugar sa lalawigan.

 

Matapos mamahagi ng tulong sa Malolos, tumuloy ang Pangulo at mga kasama sa bayan ng Paombong upang magsagawa ng parehong programa. Ang Paombong ay isa ring bayan na dumanas ng matinding baha mula pa noong Martes.

 

Katulong  ng Pangulo sa pamamahagi ng relief goods sina Sec. Singson, Department of Social Welfare and Development Sec. Corazon “Dinky” Soliman, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority Sec. Joel Villanueva, mga lokal na opisyal sa lalawigan sa pangunguna ni Alvarado, Bise Gob. Daniel Fernando, Cong. Marivic Sy-Alvarado, Mayor Christian D. Natividad, Vice Mayor Gilbert Gatchalian at mga kasapi ng sangguniang panlalawigan at lungsod.

Kasama rin dumalaw ni Pangulong Aquino sina CIBAC partylist Rep. Sherwin Tugna, Department of Interior and Local Government Jesse Robredo, Department of Energy Secretary Jose Rene Almendras at Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Secretary Ricky Carandang. (Vinson Concepcion)

Lahat ng mga pamilyang binaha sa Bulacan, nasa evacuation man o wala, padadalhan ng rasyon ng pagkain

LUNGSOD NG MALOLOS, Bulacan, Agosto 11, 2012-Tiniyak ng Pamahalaang Panlalawigan ng Bulacan na makakatanggap ng ayudang pagkain ang bawat pamilyang binaha dahil sa hanging Habagat, sila man ay inilikas sa mga evacuation centers o naiwan sa kani-kanilang mga tirahan.

 

Ayon kay Bise Gobernador Daniel Fernando, “ito ang direktiba ng ating Gobernador Wilhelmino Sy-Alvarado para matiyak na walang pamilyang Bulakenyong magugutom ngayong panahon ng kalamidad. Kaya kami sa Sangguniang Panlalawiagn, nagkaisa kami na pagtibayin ang deklarasyon ng State of Calamity upang ma-maximize ang paggamit ng Calamity Fund para marami ang matulungan agad.”

 

Sa pinakahuling tala ng Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (PDRRMC), halos 100 libong pamilya na katumbas ng nasa 500 libong indibidwal ang direktang naapektuhan ng malawakang pagbabaha sa 21 bayan at tatlong lungsod sa Bulacan.

 

Kaugnay nito, may nauna nang ipinagkaloob si Pangulong Benigno Simeon ‘Noynoy’ Aquino III na mahigit 2000 na family food packs sa pamamagitan ng Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) na ipinamahagi sa Paombong at lungsod ng Malolos. Ayon kay Rizalina Carpio, Project Development Officer ng DSWD sa rehiyon ng gitnang Luzon, bawat isang family food pack na ipinamahagi sa mga binaha ay nagkakahalaga ng P250.00. May laman itong tatlong kilong bigas, pitong pakete ng noodles, limang lata ng corned beef, anim na lata ng sardinas at anim na pakete ng 3 in 1 na kape.

 

Bahagi ito ng P6 bilyong calamity fund ng bansa na inaprubahan kamakailan ng Pangulo upang agad na matulungan ang mga biktima ng malawakang pagbabaha.

 

Iba pa rito ang mahigit 4000 na relief goods na ipinamahagi na ng pamahalaang panlalawigan. Tiniyak naman ni DSWD Secretary Corazon ‘Dinky’ Soliman na patuloy pang magpapadala ng mga ayudang pagkain ang pamahalaang nasyonal upang maseguro na lahat ng mga binahang Bulakenyo ay makatikim ng pagtulong at tunay na pag-alalay ng pamahalaan. (Shane Frias Velasco)

National Greening Program sa Bulacan, pag-iibayuhin para maiwasan ang pagguho ng lupa at pagbabaw ng mga ilog

LUNGSOD NG MALOLOS, Bulacan, Agosto 11, 2012-Iniutos ni Pangulong Benigno Simeon ‘Noynoy’ Aquino III na pag-ibayuhin ang implementasyon ng National Greening Program sa Bulacan upang mahinto ang pagbagsak ng lupa mula sa mga kabundukan na nagdudulot ng pagbabaw sa mga ilog.

 

Sa ginanap na pamamahagi ng Pangulo ng mga family food packs sa mga binahang residente sa Paombong dahil sa hagupit ng habagat, ipinaliwanag nito na bukod sa malakas na buhos ng ulan, pangunahing dahilan din ang pagbabaw ng maraming mga ilog sa Bulacan.

 

“Kung matataniman ang mga kabundukan dito sa Bulacan ng mga malalaking puno, may ugat na kakapit sa lupa upang hindi magka-landslides na napupunta ang mga gumuhong lupa sa mga ilog kaya mahina ang water capacity kapag nagkaroon ng bagyo o tag-ulan,” ani ng Pangulo sa libu-libong Bulakenyong nabiyaan ng ayuda mula sa Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

 

Unang kinonsepto ang malawakang pagtatanim ng puno sa buong bansa noong 2006 nang ilunsad ang Green Philippines Program ng Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). Ginawa naman itong komprehensibo ng Pangulo nang lagdaan niya ang Executive Order no 26 na nag-uutos sa lahat ng mamamayan ng Pilipinas, saan mang sektor kabilang, na magtanim ng tig-10 punla ng puno sa ilalim ng National Greening Program. Layunin nito na matamo ng Pilipinas ang 1.6 bilyong mga bagong puno pagsapit ng 2016.

 

Ikinagalak naman ito ng sektor ng mga Bulakenyong may adhikaing pangkalikasan, ayon kay Dr. Reynaldo S. Naguit, pangulo ng Buklurang Biak na Bato Inc., na may proyektong Rainforestation sa kabundukan ng Biak na Bato sa bayan ng San Miguel at Donya Remedios Trinidad, Bulacan o ang pagtatanim ng mga katutubong puno “sa utos na iyan ng Pangulo, maliwanag na sinsero siya sa pagmamalasakit at pangangalaga sa kalikasan. Kaya mahalaga na magkaroon ng papel ang bawat mamamayan at lalong mapapabuti ito kung katutubong puno ang ating itatanim para bumalik ang balanseng ekolohikal ng ating mga kagubatan.” (Shane Frias Velasco)

P2.2 B ang inilaan ni PNOY para sa Valenzuela-Obando-Meycauayan (VOM) Flood Control Project

LUNGSOD NG MALOLOS, Bulacan, Agosto 11, 2012-Tuluy na tuloy na ang pagsasakatuparan ng proyektong Valenzuela-Obando-Meycauayan (VOM) Flood Control Project ngayong ipinapalabas na ni Pangulong Benigno Simeon ‘Noynoy’ Aquino ang pondong P2.2 bilyon upang agad na masimulan ito.

 

Sa kanyang pagbisita sa bayan ng Paombong upang kamustahin ang mga biktima ng malawakang pagbaha dahil sa hanging Habagat, inanunsyo ng Pangulo na agad niyang pasisimulan ang proyekto ngayong taon upang matapos sa 2016 o bago siya bumaba sa pwesto. “May kakayahan ang gobyerno ngayon na alalayan kayo sa panahon ng kalamidad at lalong may pondo na tayo para isakatuparan ang mga imprastrakturang kailangan upang tuluyang resolbahin ang problema sa malawakang pagbabaha,” ani Pangulong Noynoy.

 

Matatandaan na taong 2001 unang kinonsepto ang proyektong VOM sa tulong ng Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) at Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC). Layunin nito na idugtong sa katatayo pa lamang na CAMANAVA (Caloocan-Malabon-Navotas-Valenzuela) Flood Control Project ang VOM upang hindi bahain ang mga bayan na nasa baybayin ng Manila Bay.

 

Ayon kay Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Rogelio Singson, ang CAMANAVA at VOM ay kapwa proyekto kung saan magtatayo ng matitibay, malalaki at makakapal na dike. Bahagi rin ng komposisyon ng proyekto ang mga malalaki at modernong pumping station na magbobomba ng sobrang tubig patungong Manila Bay sa tuwing bubuhos ang malakas na ulan.

 

Para naman kay Gobernador Wilhelmino Sy-Alvaradp ng Bulacan, “isang welcome development ito dahil pagkaraan ng 12 taon ay tuluyan nang may tiyak na pondo upang masimulan ang VOM. Kailangang-kailangan ito ng mga Bulakenyo dahil bukod sa pagpapakawala ng tubig sa mga dams sa Bulacan, pangunahing dahilan din ng pagbabaha sa lalawigan ay ang regular na pagha-high tide. Pero dahil sa climate change, lumalawak ang sakop ng nalulubog dahil sa high tide. Pero kung may matatag na dike, tiyak na mababawasan o mawawala na siguro ang baha.”

 

Samantala, bilang tagapangulo ng Regional Infrastructure Committee sa Regional Development Council (RDC), isinumite rin ni Gob. Alvarado kay Pangulong Noynoy ang mga detalye ng panukalang Manila-Bulacan-Pampanga-Bataan Manila Bay Coastal Road na ikakabit sa kasalukuyang Manila-Cavite Coastal Expressway. Layunin ng proyekto na ‘ikulong’ ng isang dambuhalang dike ang buong baybayin ng Manila Bay mula sa Maynila hanggang Bataan, at gawing isang expressway ang ibabaw ng dike bilang ‘dual-purpose’ infrastructure project para sa modernong kalsada at epektibong pangmatagalang flood control. (Shane Frias Velasco)

PNoy namahagi ng relief goods sa mga evacuees ng Malolos

MALOLOS CITY, Bulacan, Agosto 11, 2012–Pinangunahan ni Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III ang pamamahagi ng relief goods sa may 339 pamilya na nasa evacuation center sa City of Malolos Integrated School sa kanyang ginawang pagbisita sa nasabing lungsod ngayong araw.

Personal na tinungo ni Pangulong Aquino ang lugar upang tiyakin ang maayos na kalagayan ng mga naapektuhan ng mga pagbaha dulot ng malalakas na pag-uulan sanhi ng matinding hanging habagat.

Sinabi ng Pangulo ng maraming kailangan gawin hindi sa pagbawas ng pagbaha kung hindi paghinto ng baha.

“Kayo ang boss ko, kaya’t tatapusin ang lahat ng dapat tapusin,” ani ng Pangulo sa harap ng mahigit 1,000 residenteng lumikas sanhi ng pagbabaha sa nasabing lungsod.

Kabilang sa mga residenteng lumikas sa nabanggit na evacuation center ang mga naninirahan sa barangay San Vicente, Caniogan, Sto. Rosario, Catmon at San Juan.

Tumanggap ang mga evacuees’ ng relief goods na naglalaman ng tatlong kilo ng bigas, apat na delatang corned beef, limang lata ng sardinas at limang pakete ng noodles.

Katulong ng Pangulo sa pamamahagi ng relief goods sina Department of Social Welfare and Development Sec. Corazon “Dinky” Soliman, Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson at Technical Education and Skills Development Authority chief Sec. Joel Villanueva

Kasama rin dumalaw ni Pangulong Aquino sina CIBAC partylist Rep. Sherwin Tugna, Department of Interior and Local Government Jesse Robredo, Department of Energy Secretary Jose Rene Almendras at Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Secretary Ricky Carandang. (Vinson Concepcion)

RISK REDUCTION, AWARENESS SHOULD BE PRIORITIZED IN 2013 BUDGET - ANGARA

MANILA, August 11, 2012-Senator Edgardo J. Angara said that disaster preparedness and risk reduction measures should be prioritized in the 2013 budget  deliberations.

“We must look into the government’s disaster management plan and make sure that risk mitigation and adaptation are prioritized in next year’s budget, so that we could put them into action as early as possible,” he said.  

Torrential rains brought by the Habagat or Southwest monsoon swept through the country this past week, dumping one month’s worth of rain in just two days over Metro Manila and neighboring provinces. Widespread flooding, landslides, and massive damage to property put 22 different areas under a state of calamity. Schools, businesses, and government offices were in a standstill for one week.

“Although we cannot stop these natural disasters from happening, we can minimize the damage by reducing our country’s risk and vulnerabilities. We must shift our focus from relief and rehabilitation to prevention,” he said.

Angara, Chair of the Senate Committee on Science and Technology, observed that this situation is reminiscent to Typhoon Ondoy in 2009, when a large amount of rainfall in a short period of time caused massive destruction. The big difference, irony even, was that there was no typhoon in the country's area of responsibility. The nonstop rains were brought about by a monsoon that was enhanced by a typhoon in the region.

“Because of the lack of a storm signal, people may have underestimated the potential impact at first. Many simply did not expect the Habagat to hit us so hard. At the same time, we are not yet familiar with PAG-ASA's rainfall bulletin,” he explained.

The veteran legislator also emphasized the importance of familiarizing the public with weather indicators and reports, such as the color-coded rainfall warning and measurement scheme being used by the national weather bureau. 

“Aside from preparing our roads, canals and buildings, it is equally important to educate the people on these matters. We could conduct disaster preparedness seminars and workshops for our barangay leaders through our LGUs. On a national level, we could use the media to teach the public how to interpret the weather bulletins and also give basic survival measures so that everyone knows what to do in cases of emergency,” he proposed.

Legarda Renews Call for Climate Justice

MANILA, August 11, 2012-Senator Loren Legarda today renewed her call for strengthened efforts in building a disaster-resilient nation as part of the campaign for climate justice.

Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Climate Change and United Nations Regional Champion for Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation for Asia-Pacific, stressed that it is clear injustice that the most vulnerable to climate change belong to the poorest groups who lack the resources and means to cope with the impacts of extreme weather events.

She explained that the Philippines is one of the countries seeking for commitment from industrialized nations, which are the greatest emitters of greenhouse gas, to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and provide support for climate change adaptation work in vulnerable countries.

“Beyond our shores, more and more countries are also suffering from disasters of unprecedented magnitude—last year Cambodia, Thailand, and Bangladesh went through devastating floods, which are among the worst in their history,” Legarda added.

“Industrialized countries have a historical responsibility for climate change and are morally obliged to financially and technologically assist developing countries in their efforts to reduce their vulnerability and adapt to its consequences, while reducing their own greenhouse gas emissions,” she stressed.

“While we await more decisive outcomes of climate change negotiations, we in our country must not allow ourselves to continuously suffer from floods, hunger, displacement and economic setbacks,” Legarda said.

The Senator also pointed out that as the extreme weather events are now considered the ‘new norm’, the government should even work harder in reducing the risks of communities to disasters so as not to cause further rise to the so-called climate refugees, noting that over half a million Filipinos were displaced by the monsoon rains and 3,995 families affected by Typhoon Sendong are still residing in temporary shelters.

“Our laws, the Climate Change Act and the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act, which have been cited as “the best laws in the world” by the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General Ms. Margareta Wahlstrom, must be complemented by effective implementation from the executive.

“Climate change is clearly not only about floods. It is about food, water, settlement, jobs and livelihood. It is about human welfare and security, poverty reduction and sustainable development. As we remind world leaders of their responsibilities to lead our people out of the crises and uncertainties brought about by climate change, we in our country must resolve to quickly move policy into action,” Legarda concluded.

Drilon: NGCP impending purchase of PEDC assets, a mere corporate greed, not public service

MANILA, August 11, 2012-A plan by the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) to purchase the transmission assets of the Panay Energy Development Corporation (PEDC) is a by-product of corporate greed and is not being proposed to advance public service, said Senator Franklin M. Drilon.   

“This acquisition has nothing to do with public service, it is all corporate greed,” said Drilon.

“As I see it, I could not find any reason – other than vested interest and the desire to rake up money – for the NGCP to decide to intervene in the distribution of electricity in Iloilo, since the present setup seems to be running smoothly, and is more advantageous to household consumers,” stressed Drilon. 

“The petition of NGCP will not work for the benefit of the residents of Iloilo City; instead, it will only be additional burden to them since the buyout will result in a substantial power hike,” he added.

NGCP, the state’s lone transmission networks provider, intends to buy the point-to-point assets of the PEDC for the amount of P600 million. PEDC operates the first 164-megawatt coal-fired power plant in La Paz, Iloilo which supplies electricity to Panay Electric Company Inc. (PECO) – the sole power distributor in the city – which is only one-kilometer away from PEDC, noted Drilon.  

Drilon said electric power charges are likely to increase once the NGCP acquires assets of PEDC, for NGCP imposes transmission wheeling charges in using its system, which will eventually be passed on by power distributors to household consumers.

He estimated the planned buyout will increase the price of electric power by P1.00 per kilowatt hour in the 180 barangays being covered by PECO, which is obviously against the policies of the government.

Earlier, Drilon said the impending buyout will run counter to the true intent of the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA).