“A Meralco freed from the clutches of the Lopez family will definitely deliver cheaper electricity.”
by Ducky Paredes
Notice that our usually vociferous legislators – both congressmen and senators – are deathly quiet when it comes to Meralco, the recent rate hike of 14 centavos given to the power utility has been met with stony silence in both houses of our congress. And, I thought that these legislators care enough about us to question policemen who may be misappropriating a few million pesos or to look into a possible rotten deal with China.
Note, though, that these same legislators do not notice anything when it comes to Meralco. It is the power utility that already charges the highest rates in the Philippines. Why allow it another 14 centavos?
What drives up our rates are the so-called independent power providers that are owned by the Lopez family that owns some 33% of Meralco but control all of its purchases. The electricity produced by the Lopez power plants is billed to Meralco at much more than what Meralco pays for electricity coming from the National Power Corporation and other sources. And, according to a contact between the Lopez family (who also manage Meralco) and Meralco, the power utility must pay for the total installed capacity of their IPPs whether or not this power is used and even if the power plants are not operational or are under repair.
This is why we, the customers of Meralco, are paying much more for our electricity than power consumers anywhere else in the Philippines. The difference is about two pesos per kilowatt-hour. And now, an additional 14 centavos on its distribution charge?
Admittedly, the distribution charge is different from the cost of electricity. Meralco will always defend itself by saying that it only passes on the cost of the electricity it buys and that it makes money on the distribution charge. This is true, of course. What needs to happen is for the Lopez family to lose control of Meralco so that the onerous contract between Meralco and the Lopez family can be abandoned.
A Meralco freed from the clutches of the Lopez family will definitely deliver cheaper electricity.
Why are the majority of our legislators steering clear of the Lopez family? The Lopezes also own the number two broadcasting network in the country – ABS-CBN — which the family will use to destroy those that would oppose them. If you are a legislator – senator or congressman – up for re-election – would you go out of your way to pick a fight with ABS-CBN? You would be crazy to do so. You will end up as a former legislator! Thus, we really cannot expect anything from our legislators when it comes to doing battle with the Lopez oligarchy.
Ferdinand Marcos was right to go against the oligarchs, personified by the Lopez family.
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Here is a letter from a Concerned Christian-Muslim Couple, Armand and Annora Nocum who run a restaurant and are soliciting books for Mindanao: “Thanks to your support, we are heading to our hometown Zamboanga City tomorrow to bring our first set of books to a remote island where the Abu Sayyaf Group is known to bring their hapless kidnap victims. The A-Book-Saya Group (ASG) will finally get to meet the children of real Abu Sayyaf members.
“ Your column and e-mail-brigade have convinced lots of people here and abroad to donate about 400 used books, magazines and encyclopedias which we will distribute to Muslim children in Sacol Island, Zamboanga City on October 27.
“Your support to our dream of flooding Mindanao with books had shown us that there is hope in the country because there are still many good and caring Filipinos. You did not only help us get books; you helped us recover our faith in the innate goodness of ordinary Filipinos like all of us.
“But please help us even more because a lot remains to be done to convince poor Muslim and Christian kids that there is better hope in picking up a book than a gun. Recent news reports from there show that not only are Mindanao children being recruited to join the ASG, the MILF and the NPA, local warlords and politicians now also tap children as young as 12 years old to be their bodyguards.
“Obviously, children are not only cheap, but their romantic notion of war and recklessness make them more than willing to kill and die for their patrons. And when they do get out of job, where do you think they will go? Armed and gullible, they are easy prey to rebel or extremist groups. Manila is just a boat ticket away from the next bomb explosion.
“ So, let’s help stop this vicious cycle of poverty and violence and give them a better view of a peaceful and happier world. Nothing can deliver this message to them better than books. Let your books reach their hearts and minds while they are young.
“ Considering the poverty level and the high illiteracy rate in Mindanao, the books that now may appear discarded trash to us here in Manila are glistening gold to them. It may well be the first and last book that they will receive in their lifetime.
“When you do give books, give us those with lots of pictures because while we take it for granted that our kids can read before reaching Grade 1, most Mindanao kids can hardly read well even in Grade VI. Picture books will surely entice them to read.
“Please drop your books at our Satti Grill House outlets at the SM Fairview Food Court, Quezon City or at the Corner of M.H. del Pilar, Ermita, Manila. Donors may contact Ann through Nos. 7992745/3393732 or 09175208013/ 09195897879. For more information, please log on at www.sattisfaction.blogspot.com.
“Again, please help us disseminate our message of peace through your column, blog or through email for us to reach more people who care for the future of Muslims and Christians in the country.”
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Will this idea work? Books cost much less than bullets and they do have the capability of putting ideas forward and perhaps changing mindsets. Donate. How much will this cost you?
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hvp 10.24.08)
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