Engr. Edgar D. Diaz, acting general manager of Capiz Electric Cooperative Inc. (CAPELCO),
sat as one of the resource persons during the regional press conference convened by the Electric
Cooperative Association of Region VI (ECAR-VI) in Iloilo City last May 27, 2024.
The press conference was for the purpose of elucidating the underlying circumstances in the
recent spike of power rates.
It was participated by media organizations from Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo, and
Negros Occidental.
The panel of resource persons were composed of representatives from 10 different electric
cooperatives with franchises from these six provinces.
PhilRECA Executive Director Atty. Janeene Depay-Colingan and IEMOP Director Allan Laniba
also joined the press conference.
In an official statement released by ECAR-VI through its media organization LEXICON, it was
explained that the spike was largely due to the increases in the generation charge paid to the
power suppliers and the abnormal increase in the rates of the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market
(WESM).
While the power rates of the different electric cooperatives (ECs) differ, all ECs posted an
increase in their rates especially on the generation charges in the electric bills.
The distribution, supply, and metering (DSM) service charges, the only component retained by
ECs to finance their day-to-day operations, have remained unchanged for decades, the statement
emphasized.
The ensuing open forum revealed that the increase in the price of electricity is commonly shared
not only by the provinces in Western Visayas, but by the entire country.
It also revealed that the increase was not within the control of the ECs, but largely influenced by
the confluence of various factors affecting power generation.
Media organizations from Capiz that participated in the press conference were DYOW Bombo
Radyo, RMN-DYVR, K5 News FM, Baskog Radyo, Todo Teleradyo Capiz, and Capiz Times.
