News briefs
Bayan questions Veco increase, slams ERC
The progressive Bagong Alyansang Makabayan called for the planned increase in power rates to be charged by the Visayan Electric Co. (Veco),
“Why does the Energy Regulatory Commission or ERC always approve Veco’s request for elecricity increase despite the questionable bills Veco had collected? Veco was not able to release their book of accounts on how they use the money that they collected for the Performance Based Regulations and now, they will implement another increase?,” Jaime Paglinawan , Bayan chairman for Central Visayas told CEBU DAILY NEWS.
On June 26, 2010, ERC approved the Performance Based Regulations that allowed Veco to collect P1.25 per kwh to the consumers.
“Luoy kaayo ang mga kunsumidor kay gisugdan sa Veco ang pagpatuman sa PBR niadtong July 1, 2010 hangtod na ni sa July 30, 2014 basi sa order sa ERC (Veco started implementing the PBR on July 1, 2010 and it will continue until July 30, 2014, based on ERC’s order),” Paglinawan said.
Veco said while the PBR will be used to repair all the electricity wires that cause power interruptions brownouts still took place last September to November, Paglinawan added. /Correspondent Careen L.
Malahay Families in Luz demolition case wants relocation site
The 32 households in barangay Luz facing demolition are asking the city government for on-site development in their relocation site.
Regional Trial Court judge Ramon Daomilas has called for a conference today with DWUP, representatives of the barrio Luz homeowners association, the affected family, Philippine National Police, Commission on Human Rights and the Dept. of Interion and Local Governments for this purpose.
Collin Rosell, chief of the Division for the Welfare of the Urban Poor (DWUP) earlier said the city owned lots in Laguerta, barangays Budlaan and San Jose are not recommended as relocatron sites due to its inadequate development.
Earlier, the mayor’s office requested the judge to reconsider their urgent motion, as the city has prepared concrete ways for alternative on-site relocation in barangay Inayawan. /Correspondent Tweeny M. Malinao
Mayor Radaza favors barangay poll postponement
Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza favors the postponement of the October 2013 barangay elections to 2016.
The House and Senate leaderships are considering deferring the 2013 barangay elections until 2016.
The deferment would synchronize the polls with the presidential election, as well as give the incumbent barangay leaders three more years to pursue their projects.
Radaza said allowing Lapu-Lapu barangay captains to serve three more years is fine with her especially since she considers the barangay captains in her city as continuing to perform well.
Senate president Juan Ponce Enrile said during his visit in Cebu last Tuesday said that they have initially agreed in the Senate to pass the law fixing the term of barangay officials to six years, with only one reelection. /Correspondent Fe Marie D. Dumaboc
Gastardo eyes 2013 comeback
Provincial governmentconsultant Jose Ma. Gastardo said he is interested to run again for a post in the Provincial Board (PB) in the fourth district in the 2013 elections.
In an interview on Monday, Gastardo said that he is only interested if there’s a vacant post for him in the One Cebu Party.
“Wala pa pud hibaw-i ang line-up ni Gov. Gwen Garcia. Kung naay bakante, interesado ko (We have no idea as to the line-up of the governor. If there’s still a vacant position, but I’m interested),” he added.
Gastardo, who claimed to be a personal friend of Vice President Jejomar Binay, said he would want to run under the One Cebu party.
He said he wanted to be with One Cebu since Garcia is running for the Senate under PDP-Laban party which is headed by Binay.
Gastardo has finished his first three terms as PB member in 2010. /Correspondent Carmel Loise Matus
