House Deputy Minority Leader, Basilan Rep. Mujiv Hataman (File photo)
MANILA – House of Representatives Deputy Minority Leader Mujiv Hataman has filed a resolution seeking an inquiry into the “frequent and incessant” power outages in Basilan, which he said hinders economic activity and the delivery of health services in his province.
“Napakahalaga ng maayos na supply ng kuryente sa isang komunidad, lungsod o lalawigan. Kung palagi ang brownout at power outages, malaking hadlang ito sa pag-unlad at sa kabuhayan ng mga mamamayan (Having a stable power supply is very important in a community, city or province. Frequent brownouts are a big hindrance to the development and livelihood of the people),” Hataman said in a statement on Friday.
“Hindi understatement ang sabihin na malaki ang nawawala sa Basilan dahil sa mga power outages na ito (It is not an understatement to say that Basilan loses a lot because of these power outages). It has really caused huge economic losses in our province. At ang masama pa dito, nadi-discourage ang mga investors na mamuhunan sa amin dahil sa ganitong sitwasyon (Worse, investors are discouraged to invest in Basilan because of this situation).”
He pointed out that the delivery of goods and services to Basileños, including public services and government programs, has been affected by frequent power outages.
“Imagine the operations of hospitals, dialysis centers, birthing clinics and other health institutions in a situation where almost every two to three hours, there is a power failure. Isa lamang itong halimbawa ng malaking epekto ng power outages sa mamamayan (This is just one example of the huge effect of power outages on the people),” Hataman said.
House Resolution (HR) 1157, which Hataman filed on Thursday, aims to investigate the Basilan Electric Cooperative (BASELCO), whose franchise to operate will be revisited by Congress when it expires in 2028.
According to HR 1157, BASELCO’s franchise to operate will expire in 2028, and “there is a need for Congress to decide whether or not to renew its franchise for another 50 years … or to look at other options, such as the creation of a separate electric cooperative for Isabela City or granting the franchise to a private Distribution Utility.”
The resolution also enumerated the problems surrounding the operations of BASELCO, including its debts to the National Power Corp., which stands at PHP3.2 billion, and the lack of a capacity to implement capital expenditures.
It noted that in a stakeholder’s forum held in Isabela City in October last year, BASELCO and NPC officials cited that the frequent blackouts experienced in Basilan stemmed from aging wires, posts and connections; technical losses; financing problems; vegetation control/right of way issues with landowners who refuse to allow BASELCO workers to undertake sustained line clearing operations in their private lands; and other concerns, such as the collection rates, pilferage rates, missionary electrification, and reclosers.
“We would like to know more about how legislation can ease the woes of BASELCO and other similarly situated electric cooperatives. Hindi magandang mamuhay ng may madalas na (It is difficult to live with frequent) power outages. Karapatan ng mamamayan ang mabigyan ng sapat na supply ng kuryente (It is the right of the people to be provided with a stable power supply),” Hataman said. (PNA)
