As soon as the full restoration of power supply in Brgy. Alijis and its neighboring area will be completed and all the operations of Negros Power is in order, Power Watch Negros will push for the activation of its operational arm, the Power Advocacy and Consultative Council (PACC), PWN secretary general Wennie Sancho said yesterday.
PACC will be a mechanism for the unified efforts of the electricity consumers in the franchise area of Negros Power to achieve significant reforms and the advancement of their welfare, he said.
In coordination with Negros Power, LGU’s, and other stakeholders in the power industry, the PACC shall be formally organized to operate as a monitoring body under the supervision of Negros Power and the LGU in the transition period relevant to the implementation of the JVA, in order to establish a competitive market based environment and encouraged private sector participation, insures adequate, efficient and reliable supply of electricity and other programs and strategies that would advance the welfare of the consumers, Sancho said.
The PACC as an advisory and consultative body, shall be an active mechanism that shall strengthen consumers’ solidarity, in partnership with Negros Power, in coordination with the LGU’s and in cooperation with all the stakeholders in the power industry. PACC will support Negros Power as a distribution utility to achieve quality enhancement and credibility in giving service to the people, he said.
Sancho is optimistic that the PACC could greatly help Negros Power in its campaign against power pilferage and illegal connections to reduce system loss.
The PACC would serve as a “de facto” monitoring body that will coordinate with Negros Power and the LGU’s in monitoring incidents and/or activities, whether intended or actual that would disrupt or paralyze the operations of Negros Power that would incur irreparable damage to its infrastructure and equipment, thereby resulting in public inconvenience and economic losses. The PACC shall commit itself in this struggle for public interests in behalf of the consumers under the “prima inter pares” principle with Negros Power, he added.*
