DMCI barred from Romblon

DM Consunji Inc. (DMCI) and its officials have been declared persona non grata by Romblon’s local government for supposedly blocking the operation of a diesel power plant on the island after losing in a bidding to another power company.

Romblon Rep. Jesus Leandro Madrona submitted a copy of the resolution to the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) to show that Romblon’s 200,000 residents were opposed to DMCI’s alleged efforts to stop the construction of an eight-megawatt diesel power plant.

The resolution said DMCI “is disregarding the longstanding need of the people for a stable supply of electricity.”

The resolution added: “This selfish vested interest of (DMCI) disrupts the delivery of basic government services, business and tourism industry, thereby seriously affecting the well-being of more than 200,000 residents on the island of Tablas due to daily power interruptions.

“Now, therefore, be it resolved as it is resolved to declare (DMCI) persona non grata in the municipalities within the franchise area of Tielco (Tablas Island Electric Cooperative).”

Forced to suffer brownouts

The resolution was signed by Mayors Gerardo Montojo of Romblon; Baltazar Firmalo of Odiongan; Artemio Madrid of Sta. Maria; Jovencio Mayor Jr. of Ferrol; Leila Arboleda of Looc; Fernando Robillos of San Andres; Emmanuel Madrona of San Agustin; Robert Fabella of Calatrava; Fe Asher Visca of Sta. Fe; Eddie Lota of Alcantara; Ronnie Samson of San Jose; and Salem Tansingco of San Fernando.

Madrona said his constituents were forced to suffer rotating brownouts of four to five hours every day because of DMCI’s appeal with the ERC to stop Tielco from awarding the project to Sunwest Water and Electric Co.

Artificial need

DMCI claimed the need to operate the power plant was “artificial” but this was disputed by Madrona, who said that the suffering of his constituents was “real.”

While Tielco was ready to augment the faltering power supply, Madrona said the ERC had been dragging its feet in issuing a provisional authority that would allow Tielco and its new power provider to operate an 8.8-MW diesel-powered facility.

Madrona accused DMCI of “abuse” in its operations, citing its allegedly illegal hiring of Chinese nationals for its Calaca power plant, the Semirara mining disaster and the construction of the Torre de Manila, which has supposedly destroyed the vista of the Rizal Monument.