LOWER POWER RATE. Ilocos Norte Electric Cooperative Acting general manager Cipriano Martinez on Wednesday (April 10, 2024) said power rates for April 2024 have been reduced by PHP0.50/kWh to PHP10.4897/kWh to lessen the burden among consumers who are suffering from the rising heat index. He said the rate reduction materialized after Aboitiz Power Corporation allowed INEC to delay the payment of around PHP13 million, for its PHP200 million payables, this month. (Photo by Leilanie Adriano)
LAOAG CITY – Noting the increasing air-conditioning units and electric fans usage, especially since heat index are rising to dangerous levels this April, the Ilocos Norte Electric Cooperative (INEC) has decided to reduce its rates to help consumers.
In a briefing on Wednesday, INEC acting general manager Cipriano Martinez said they have negotiated with their power supplier to delay the payment of around PHP13 million, from the total amount of PHP200 million, to lessen the cost among their consumers.
“We are deferring a portion of our payment to Aboitiz [Power Corporation] to temporarily reduce electricity rates for April,” he said.
This means that from PHP10.9988 per kilowatt-hour (kWh), the electricity rate billing for April will be at PHP10.4897/kWh or a decrease of PHP0.50/kWh.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) station in Ilocos Norte has warned the public of the potential dangers of high heat index this month.
Heat index forecast for this city during the day is 40 degrees Celsius while it is 44 degrees Celsius for Batac City.
Considering the health risks of increasing temperatures, Martinez said the high heat index being experienced in the province is unsafe for those who are sick.
"Upon computation of our rates for April, the electricity charges for residential has been computed to PHP10.9988/kWh. I asked the INEC Committee on Rates to study and present options on how we could lower the rates during this time. Upon presentation of the options, I have chosen to negotiate with our power supplier and asked that we defer a portion of our April payment so as not to pass on this amount to our MCOs (member consumer owners) in this billing period,” Martinez said.
Martinez said daily peak demand of electricity consumption in the province rose from the average of 54 megawatts (MW) to 64MW this summer. (PNA)
