In response to Board Member Ariston Arzaga’s allegations about service disconnection practices, Palawan’s power cooperative has denied cutting off electricity before specified dates and clarified that they strictly adhere to procedures in accordance with Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) guidelines.
Palawan Electric Cooperative (PALECO) stated Tuesday that they don’t cut off services before the dates on the disconnection notices.
“With regard to the allegation that PALECO disconnects service prior to the date stated on disconnection notices, we categorically deny any such practice,” the cooperative said, adding it “adheres to the disconnection schedule as stated their notices, in compliance with ERC guidelines.
The clarification was prompted by a May 20 privilege speech before the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Arzaga, where he chastised PALECO for turning off his electricity services in his home in Barangay Sta. Lourdes.
“One night when I got home, our electricity service line had already been cut to my surprise,” he said, explaining it happened while he was busy with his campaign.
Based on his experience, he said PALECO has been cutting off services even before the disconnection date shown on its billing statements or notices.
Arzaga went even further and alleged that PALECO continues to have a chaotic payment procedure, which he said results in lengthy lines.
He also brought up an incident when his sister’s power bill was identical to his own, implying the absence of an adequate mechanism for handling billing.
“Yong pagbibigay nila ng bill, hindi siya consistent. Tapos dadatnan mo na lang putol na yong connection mo, tapos ang nakalagay pa ay May 19 pa yong supposedly disconnection, but then nauna na,” he stated.
“Yong bill ko sa bahay at yong bill ng sister ko, parehong pareho po yan. Na-report ko na ito noong nakaraan… hindi ko na masyadong pinursue. But this time, sana tingnan din ng PALECO itong sistema nila ng pag-aayos ng billing dahil parehong pareho ng entry ng sa kapatid ko at sa akin,” he added.
On Arzaga’s issue, PALECO explained that this is because his account had two months of unpaid bills (February and March), which triggered the NOD.
Based on the cooperative’s explanation, when a member of Arzaga’s household received the NOD, the account already had two months of unpaid bills—for February and March.
In addition to that, a SOA for April had also been issued, which included a reminder that May 19 was the disconnection date.
“PALECO wishes to clarify that the disconnection date of May 19 pertains specifically to the April billing and does not apply retroactively to previously unsettled dues,” PALECO asserted.
“While the management acknowledges the possible source of confusion in this instance, we respectfully urge our member-consumers to settle their accounts promptly to avoid any inconvenience or disruption of service,” the cooperative added.
PALECO said it is aware too of the identical meter readings that Arzaga brought out, and it is taking it seriously. A verification process is now being done “to ensure accuracy and transparency.”
Identical readings, it noted, can happen coincidentally, particularly “when usage patterns are similar.”
Meanwhile, in acknowledging Arzaga’s concerns about long queues and limited personnel, the cooperative said that based on their observations, high foot traffic only occurs during Mondays and Tuesdays.
