Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Pantabangan given 1-mo to pay obligations to First Gen By Joann Santiago

Pantabangan given 1-mo to pay obligations to First Gen By Joann Santiago MANILA, Feb. 13 (PNA) -- The local government of Pantabangan, Nueva Ecija has been given one-month starting Wednesday this week to pay its P8.7 billion unpaid bills to First Gen Hydro Corp. (FGHC). Energy Secretary Carlos Jericho Petilla on Wednesday said the deadline was agreed upon during a meeting that he attended along with Nueva Ecija Governor Aurelio Matias Umali, Pantabangan Mayor Romeo Borja Sr. and FGHC representatives Tuesday. He said the provincial government has donated P2 million to pay part of the municipality’s debt. Another P1 million was also donated but this will be paid next week. Also, the municipal government has paid P1.6 million and asked for a month or until March 12 to fully pay its obligations. However, the next bill will be issued February 26 wherein FGHC will be billed another P1.7 million. Petilla, however, requested FGHC representatives to reconnect the electricity connection in Pantabangan Wednesday while the debt issue is being resolved. He said the FGHC representatives agreed with the plan but “they just have to clear this up with the higher ups.” He, on the other hand, stressed that even if the power in Pantabangan was reconnected “this is just mitigating action and not a guarantee that they will have electricity in the future.” “We will continue to negotiate. This is not an energy problem but a financial and local government problem,” he said but stressed that the issue is “still my problem.” Relatively, FGHC spokesman Dennis Gonzales said a reconnection notice has been issued about 2:30 Wednesday for the municipality of Pantabangan. He, however, is not sure whether power was reconnected because there was technical problem earlier in the day. Asked until when the electricity supply will last, Gonzales said it will continue unless the local government defaults in the payment. “For the time being they have power but we will issue disconnection notice a day after the due date if they fail to pay their obligations,” he told PNA in an interview. FGHC operates the 132-megawatt Pantabangan-Masiway hydro power plant, which supplies power in the municipality. It acquired the plant from the government through an auction in November 2006. It cut off supply to the Pantabangan Electric Services (PAMES) 12 noon Monday due to the latter’s failure to pay its bill from July 2012 up to this month amounting to P8.7 million. Gonzales said PAMES’ power requirement is about 0.6 megawatt a month. (PNA) DSP/JS/ABB

Nueva Ecija bets sign peace pact

CABANATUAN CITY, Nueva Ecija -- Novo Ecianos, in a rare opportunity, witnessed on Tuesday Governor Aurelio Umali sharing a space with First District Rep. Josefina Manuel-Joson to release a couple of doves that symbolize peace. The two were rivals in the forthcoming gubernatorial elections here. The release of doves, coupled with dozens of balloons and lighting of candles were held at the Ninoy Aquino Freedom Park here as part of ceremonies for the signing of peace covenant, a campaign to ensure a safe and free elections on May 13 this year. City Mayor Julius Cesar Vergara, meanwhile, had a handshake with Umali's brother, third district board member Anthony Emmanuel Umali after months of trading barbs over the former's advocacy of converting this city into a highly urbanized city which the latter strongly opposed. Senior Supt. Crisaldo Nieves, acting director of the Nueva Ecija Police Provincial Office, said he felt the sincerity of "everyone" who participated the activity that started with a kilometer of "unity walk" participated in by representatives of candidates from four political districts of Nueva Ecija as well as representatives from the non-government and government organizations. "I think they were very sincere. In fact, their mere attendance is an indicator of their sincerity," Nieves said of politicians from the camps of Umali, Joson and those running as independent candidates. Cabanatuan Bishop Sofronio Bancud, head of the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) in the province, said the convergence of various political personalities and voters was "a clear expression of one desire" of every Novo Ecijano and every Filipino citizen for a peaceful life. After lighting candles, the participants then released the balloons and signed a covenant on tarpaulins in front of the crowd. In separate interviews, both Umali and Joson said their respective camps will not create any violence. "We want to assure you that our camp would fulfill the covenant," Joson said. Umali, on the other hand, said he has proved his love of peace since then. Nueva Ecija is a traditional election hot spot until the 2010 elections. It was named, however, as one of 15 provinces under priority areas by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) for the May 13 polls. (PNA) FFC/ZST/MEG/PS/ABB