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The problem related to power supply which causes unscheduled blackouts in Zamboanga City will be solved soon, Zamboanga City Electric Cooperative (Zamcelco) President Elbert Bong Atilano assured the people of Zamboanga.

Atilano’s assurance came after the Sangguniang Panlungsod (City Council) during its regular session yesterday unanimously passed a resolution urging the Zamboanga City Electric Cooperative (ZAMCELCO) to fast-track the signing of the Power Sales Agreement (PSA) with the San Ramon Power, Inc. (SRPI).

Councilor Rodolfo Lim, who authored the resolution, said “I move that we ask Zamcelco and San Ramon Power to fast track the signing of the agreement.”

The alderman of District 1 added that at the end of the day, people will be asking: “Shall we have an uninterrupted power supply for the people of Zamboanga?’”

As a proponent of the resolution, he said with the signing of the PSA it will create immediate employment for the residents and more investments will come in.

At the deliberation, Atilano presented the informative and concise framework of PSA together with SRPI represented by Vice President for Business Development Joseph Nocos which led to the passage of the resolution.

“Some of the highlights in the agreement include the rehabilitation of Zamcelco’s 69 KV inside ZAMBOECOZONE’s free port authority for embedded transaction upon commissioning for a 25-year period,” Atilano said. “There will be a lower rate for our consumers to enjoy considering the law which covers the free port authority.

Atilano, meantime, blamed the group of Roberto Valerio for the blackouts in the city saying that the same group has been trying to prevent their efforts to implement measures for immediate solution of the power problem.

Currently, Zamcelco is charging each consumer P6.69/kwhr as a result of power adjustment purchase with TMI compared to Zamsureco 2 (Zamboanga-Sibugay) of P7.30 and Zamsureco 1 (Pagadian/Zamboanga Del Sur) P7.40.

“If we don’t do anything, it (brownout) may even lead to worst,” Councilor Rey Candido said.

Councilor Rommel Agan questioned the immediate passage of the resolution, saying that it is not incumbent for the government to interfere in any private business or interest.

“Even without the Council resolution there will be a decision as Zamcelco represented by its President Bong Atilano said they are waiting their legal department to decide,” Agan stressed.

Councilor Mel Sadain also questioned the sweeping resolution and even moved to incorporate the earlier resolution to include public consultation for the public to question the agreement. “We don’t know the content yet,” Sadain said.

But Lim replied: “We are not curtailing (the public) to question after the signing of the agreement as the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has the final say on the issue.”

District 1 Councilor Gerky Valesco informed the August Body that there is a need to fast track the PSA as consumers has their own respective families.

“I’m a father of three children, quiere quita tiene luz para futuru del di atun maga anak,” Valesco said.

Association of Barangay Chairmen (ABC) President and councilor Abdurahman Nuño said the entire 97 barangays (except Talisayan) will sign a manifesto in support for Zamcelco’s signing of PSA with SRPI.

“We’ll support this project now and forever,” Nuño stressed.

Reacting to the passage of resolution, Valerio who represents a member consumer, said “they are entitled of what they are doing. Let us see who has the last laugh later on... ta abla sila abaha daw el presyo...kome lang sila el de ila palabra.”

Earlier last month, the Zamcelco Board unanimously approved a resolution for the purchase of 85 Mega Watts (MW) with SRPI and authorizing its President Elbert “Bong” Atilano to sign the PSA with SRPI.

By Monch L. Follosco