(Photo by Judy Flores Partlow)
DUMAGUETE CITY – Licensed electrical engineers have offered to help assess the extent and possible causes of low-voltage problems affecting areas served by the Negros Oriental II Electric Cooperative, amid mounting complaints from businesses and consumers.
Negros Oriental Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Edward Du said members of the Institute of Integrated Electrical Engineers of the Philippines Inc. volunteered to conduct an independent assessment of the power situation.
Du said recurring low voltage has disrupted daily operations of micro, small and medium enterprises as well as larger establishments.
He said an independent technical assessment could help determine the source of the problem as business groups and other stakeholders continue to push for corrective measures.
NOCCI, together with the Negros Oriental Hotel, Resort, and Restaurant Association, the Negros Oriental Divers Association and other groups, is also seeking a congressional inquiry into the issue.
Du said such an inquiry would give member-consumer-owners an opportunity to raise concerns directly and allow NORECO II to explain the reported problems.
NORECO II general manager Fe Marie Tagle has said low-voltage incidents may result from several factors and has urged consumers to report cases so the cooperative’s engineers can inspect affected areas.
The cooperative has also been called before the Provincial Development Council, the provincial board and the Dumaguete City Council over complaints involving low voltage, rotating brownouts and scheduled and unscheduled power interruptions.
Du said NOCCI is collecting complaints from affected consumers and businesses, including reports of operational disruptions and damaged appliances. A hospital and a resort have already submitted complaints.
He also reiterated his opposition to the renewal of NORECO II’s franchise when it expires, while noting that the cooperative still has about seven years to carry out system improvements and address the concerns.
