TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte?Eastern Samar Governor Ben Evardone has asked the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) to stop the implementation of the P1.14 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) provisional power rate increase granted to the National Power Corp.

In a three-page petition to the ERC dated April 20, Evardone noted that any power rate increase would be ?unconscionable? in this economic crisis that has affected Eastern Visayas residents, who are among the country?s poorest.

He urged the ERC to consider the adverse impact of the ongoing economic crisis on Eastern Visayas people who have already suffered from the effects of recent typhoons and floods.

In a text message, Evardone expressed hope that the ERC would consider his appeal that was made in the interest of his constituents.

He also explained that if the P1.14 per kWh power rate increase was implemented, the consumers from his province would be paying a higher rate similar to those imposed in other areas that are not economically depressed.

The Eastern Samar Electric Cooperative has been charging P7.7487 per kwh, which is among the highest in the country, Evardone said.

The consumers of Eastern Visayas should be exempted from any power rate increase that would be imposed by the Napocor because the region serves as the host of the Tongonan geothermal power facility, Evardone also said.