ERC denies INEC appeal Consumer refund expected
The much-awaited decision of the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) on Ilocos Norte Electric Cooperative’s (INEC) motion for reconsideration in the commission’s earlier finding that the power cooperative has overcharged its consumers had been handed down—and it denied INEC’s motion for lack of merit. With the motion for reconsideration denied, INEC is now expected to refund its more than 100,000 consumers with P102 million—the figure earlier arrived at by the ERC which INEC overcharged its consumers—unless INEC officials appeals the decision further. Though INEC has reportedly not yet received their official copy of the ERC decision, Ilocos Norte Governor Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. distributed copies of the ERC decision to members of the media during his press briefing at the Provincial Capitol on February 15. The ERC earlier found that INEC has overcharged its consumers by P102 million from 1996 to November 2004, or since the implementation of the purchased power adjustments (PPA) until the unbundling of power charges. The ERC had started investigation of all power distribution utilities’ book of accounts when Republic Act 9136, otherwise known as the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 (Epira), was implemented. As a result of the ERC’s decision, INEC is expected to give rebates to its consumers. The rebates would have the same time frame as the length of time of the power cooperative’s overcharging, according to the ERC decision. The ERC probe stemmed from a Sangguniang Panlalawigan resolution urging the commission to investigate the power cooperative after several SP members, led by SP member Mariano V. Marcos II, were unconvinced of the explanations presented by INEC officials on their “extraordinarily high power rates.” Meanwhile, INEC officials claim they have not yet received an official copy of the ERC decision even if the one handed out by the governor had been date January 4, 2006. In an executive meeting held at the INEC office in Dingras, Ilocos Norte, INEC Board President Rey Ruiz said they have discussed the ERC decision during their meeting but since they have not yet received their official copy, they could not treat the matter officially. “But be assured that we will act on it decisively. I mean awan adu a pambaren (no more trying to reasoning out),” Ruiz said, assuring that they would tackle the issue directly once they are given their official copy of the ERC decision. However, he added that a motion to appeal is still an option to them but this would depend on the sentiments of his fellow board directors. He further mentioned that some board directors are already willing to pay the refund. Leilanie G. Adriano and Dominic B. dela Cruz
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