Protagonists clash at power forum

MAASIN CITY – Protagonists for and against Soleco becoming a cooperative clashed here during the "Power Forum" organized by Maasin city officials and its cooperative development council.

Mayor Maloney Samaco and Congressman Roger Mercado who also represented his brother the provincial governor welcomed the participants before the arguments for and against began.

The debates was triggered by the new round of price increases announced by Soleco. Proponents for its becoming a real cooperative included Congressman Ponciano Payuyo of the Association of Philippine Electric Cooperatives, Cooperative Development Administrator Nelon Alindogan and Pete Ilagan of NASECORE, a consumer's group advocating for the conversion of electric cooperatives into real cooperatives under the Cooperative Development Authority.

The "anti" cooperative advocates were represented by Congressman Michael Angelo Rivera of 1- CARE Party List, their Sec-Gen Atty. Carlos Roman Uybarreta and National Electrification Administration director Mila Quinajon.

The forum which was held at St. Joseph College was full of students when it started but thinned later leaving a well-organized audience composed mostly of SOLECO employees and sympathizers.

The pro-CDA group argued that consumers would benefit from reduced power rates since cooperatives are VAT-exempt and would immediately result in a 12 percent reduction in the cost of electricity.

They also stressed that members of cooperatives would share in the profits of the power firm and added that in a real cooperative the general assembly would be the supreme power and not the National Electrification Administration.

Those against registering with the CDA led by Atty. Uybarretta argued that the distribution of power was an intricate matter and should not be left in the hands of people who don't know how to run an electric power distribution company. (By RUEVIVAR M. REYES)

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