Former administrator of the Cooperative Development Administration Benjie Oliva backs the plan of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) to probe the high power rates in the province.
Oliva said that the SP probe will allow the distribution utilities in Bohol to explain the reason behind the power rates.
The SP’s Committee on Public Utilities and Franchises, chaired by Board Member Aldner Damalerio, will be conducting the committee hearing about the power rates.
There are 3 distribution utilities operating in Bohol: the Bohol Light Company Inc., Bohol Electric Cooperative 1 and 2 (Boheco 1 and 2).
This comes after there was a report showing Boheco 1 allegedly charging more than P19 per kilowatt hour.
This was debunked by Boheco 1 whose spokesperson said that it only charges P17.2086 per kilowatt hour.
Boheco 1 explained that majority of its electricity comes from coal power plants considered cost effective before but have become expensive due to fuel price increases.
Boheco 1 said that 87.57% of its electricity comes from coal power plants.
The fuel used by coal power plants is imported thus has become more expensive than before, Boheco 1 stated.