A partnership between the Palawan Electric Cooperative (PALECO) and the Manila Electric Cooperative (MERALCO) to upgrade its services and capabilities is not likely to materialize, according to PALECO board chair Jeffrey Tan-Endriga.
Endriga said the proposal, as previously raised by Governor Jose Alvarez as one of the possible solutions to resolve the persistent power problems that plague the province, has not kindled the interest of the giant electric distributor.
“Hesitant silang pumasok dito. Sinabi nila sa akin na since you are a CDA (Cooperative Development Authority) registered electric cooperative and you are non-profit, paano kami makakabawi ng Capex (capital expenditures) namin,” Endriga said during the 50th anniversary celebration of the National Electrification Administration (NEA).
Endriga said he had raised the suggestion to key officials of MERALCO and received a cold response.
A partnership of MERALCO and PALECO was suggested during the presentation of Department of Energy (DOE) of its findings after the performance audit conducted by the Inter-Agency Coordinating Committee and Task Force PALECO (IACC-TF).
Governor Jose Chaves Alvarez raised the partnership of the two electric firms as an option if PALECO can not improve its services.
Meanwhile, Endriga reminded employees of the electric cooperative not to be complacent and to provide the member-consumer owners (MCOs) ‘good service.’
“Huwag tayo magpakapampante, sikapin natin na mabigyan ng sapat at maayos na serbisyo ang ating mga MCOs. They deserve it. Wala tayo rito kung wala sila,” he said.
