THE government will no longer provide discounted electricity to economic zones under the franchise area of Manila Electric Co. by December.
“Although we fully understand the possible implications of this decision to the economy, it is no longer reasonable for us to renew the power supply contract with Meralco given the limited supply that PSALM currently has and the high operating costs of generating power from the remaining PSALM-owned plants in Luzon,” Emmanuel Ledesma, Jr., Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. president, said.
Earlier, Meralco, the Philippine Economic Zone Authority and members of the Semiconductor and Electronics Industries in the Philippines Inc. asked for the retention of the power rate discount inside economic zones until December 2012.
The discounted rates were brought about by a memorandum of agreement between Meralco and state-owned National Power Corp. in 2007.
The program benefited 279 customers in industrial areas, representing 43 percent of total manufacturing exports valued at about $19 billion. These industries provide more than 222,213 jobs.
Ledesma said PSALM cannot continue with the discounts because Meralco and Napocor’s contract will expire on December 25., or a day prior to the date regulators set for the start of open access in the power sector.
Mandated under the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001, open access will allow qualified consumers to choose their suppliers in lieu of distribution utilities sourcing electricity on their behalf.
The scheme aims to spur competition in the power generation sector, which was once controlled by Napocor. Since the passage of EPIRA, the bulk of the latter’s power plants have been privatized to pay for its debts.
“Upon expiration of the Meralco power supply contract, the customer is free to contract and negotiate with any power producer. As with any power supply contract, the power rate will depend on the contractual agreement between the parties,” Ledesma said.
He said Napocor has ceased to become the sole supplier of electricity to ecozones after majority of the company’s plants were privatized. –Euan Paulo C. Añonuevo Reporter, Manila Times
September 18 –
International Equal Pay Day
“Increase wages now,
more than other cost items.
For widespread, practical equality!”
Invoke Article 33 of the ILO Constitution
against the military junta in Myanmar
to carry out the recommendations of the 2021 ILO Commission of Inquiry
against serious violations of protocols of
Forced Labour and Freedom of Association.
Accept the National Unity Government (NUG)
of Myanmar. Reject Military!
#WearMask #WashHands
#Report Corruption #SearchPosts #TakePicturesVideos
September –
5 Sept – Intl Day of Charity
7 Sept – Intl Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies
8 Sept – International Literacy Day
12 Sept – United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation
15 Sept – International Day of Democracy
16 Sept – International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer
17 Sept – World Patient Safety Day
18 Sept – International Equal Pay Day
21 Sept – International Day of Peace
26 Sept – International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons
27 Sept – World Tourism Day
28 Sept – International Day for Universal Access to Information
29 Sept – International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste
30 Sept – World Maritime Day
Monthly Observances:
Health, Safety and Sanitation Month
National Clean-up Month
Civil Service Month
National Peace Consciousness Month
Social Security Month
Rule of Law Month
National Teachers’ Month (Sept 5-Oct 4)
Weekly Observances:
Sept 17 – 23:
World Clean and Green Week
Week 2: Education Week
Week 4: Medicine Week
Last Week: National Family Week
Daily Observances:
Third Saturday:
International Coastal Clean-up Day
Third Monday: World Health Day
Last Friday: National Maritime Day
Sept 8: National Literacy Day
Sept 15: Philippine Medicine Day
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