Address power woes in Occidental Mindoro, ERC told

MANILA, Philippines — The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has been urged to act on a request of the National Power Corp. (Napocor) to adjust power rates and end power outages in Occidental Mindoro.

“Until now, the ERC has not approved Napocor’s request so the national government can stop coughing money,” Romblon Rep. Eleandro Jesus Madrona said, adding that the Occidental Mindoro Consolidated Power Corp. (Omeco) is still facing problems.

The Omeco has not been able to supply enough power to the province due to Napocor’s unpaid subsidies.

The Napocor sought ERC’s help in adjusting power rates to reflect the real cost of electricity.

Madrona said that power costs have been rising since 2022 due to the increase in fuel costs.

The province – which has a population of 530,000 – has been suffering from power outages for more than a month now after the Omeco failed to produce sufficient electricity.

The Development Budget Coordination Committee earlier approved a P5-billion loan, but only to pay for Napocor-owned power plants or those that are not connected to the grid.

Madrona warned that ERC’s failure to address issues that have led to daily blackouts could spill over to other provinces including Palawan, Masbate, Romblon and Catanduanes.

“This man-made disaster is not only a source of inconvenience and irritation but will also adversely affect businesses, especially tourism, which is one of the main sources of livelihood in these island-provinces,” he said.

In a hearing at the House of Representatives last month, Omeco president Eleanor Costibolo said the blackouts were caused by “red tape” in ERC, which prevented it from paying Omeco’s suppliers.

Costibolo said the problem was not due to mismanagement on the part of the cooperative.