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OPINIONS

Energy 2

Frankly speaking, the main reasons I expand on the subject of energy – one of the most basic matter that makes our “civilization” possible, are 2 items:

  1. The increase of CENECO’s cost of electricity from P9.80 per K.W.H. to

P10.80, a jump of about 10 percent to begin in August (last month).

  1. The news item that Meralco was over-charged by P1.1 Billion (relating to line rentals) This massive over-charge by P.S.A.L.M. (which took over from the N.P.C.) has raised the price of electricity in the Manila and environs. The aggravation, considering the already sky-high rates is something to ponder.

In this matter we ask the following questions:

If the unscheduled shut-down of the former CENECO supplier KEPCO SPC is back in operations, will the CENECO rates go back to the previous level of KEPCO (9.80/KWH)?

This question while apparently obvious and easy to answer, is somewhat stupid because there’s really nothing simple in arriving at electricity rates.

Consider the following statements of the CENECO press release (on the increase).

“Of the increase P0.8319 is attributed to KEPCO SPC’s forced outages while the remaining P0.1685 is due to Distribution and systems loss charges, among others.”

  1. Forced outages?
  2. Distribution and Systems Loss Charges?
  3. Among others (?) (too many to enumerate?).

We really don’t blame the author of the press release on the increase, but the ordinary household head will probably not get a glimpse of the reasons for the increase.

But perhaps the most important question with regards to KEPCO – is KEPCO not liable for the breakdown of its machinery? Why should CENECO consumers shoulder the short-comings of KEPCO and become virtual insurers of its operations?

In any event I have not taken a peep at the CENECO contract with KEPCO so maybe a scrutiny of the contract is in order.

As for the recent discovery of the over-charging of MERALCO by a stupendous amount P1.1 billion is a cautionary tale. If MERALCO for all its army of auditors and accountants, its watch-dogs of geniuses, was not able to discover the over charges which it passed on to Meralco consumers in its service area, what about the smaller cooperatives?

In short, from now on, consumers, consumer advocates and groups will have to open their eyes wider and their vocal cords louder.

AGAIN, THE SCARBOROUGH SHOALS. Today, in the afternoon, there will be a Scarborough Shoals symposium on the at the La Salle Auditorium. The organizers have invited this writer to participate. So what can I say about the Scarborough matter? China continues to play its role as a “bully” relying obviously on its formidable navy and ultimately backed up by its enormous economic power.

All I can say is that the Scarborough affair is a part of the growing mindset of China that the Pacific is a Chinese lake.

The resurgence of China as a gigantic power, its past full of aggravation of being “carved up” by foreign powers (for instance Japan) has now found expression in its obvious actions that proclaim: The Time of China has come. This new China will not brook, tolerate the slightest insult or threat.

It is also obvious that China wishes to displace the United States from the Pacific. As I have said in a previous column, China would like to have the Pacific area kow-tow to Uncle Chong instead of Uncle Sam. It is also obvious that most nations in South East Asia are afraid of China. They have reasons to be, based on size and power. In the last Asian conference, when the Philippines tried to form a common front against China, Cambodia expressed its opposition (I can hear Uncle Chong clapping his hands.)

It is now obvious that China will never give up its flimsy claim over the Scarborough Shoals. It is apparent that it is relishing its role as the big “bully” in the Pacific.*

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