Veco mulls passing on cost of P78-M underground cabling project

[trabiz]

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THE Visayan Electric Co. (Veco) plans to pass on to consumers the cost of its P78-million underground cabling project in Cebu City.

Theresa Sederiosa, Veco reputation management manager, told the Cebu City Council yesterday that the utility firm will file before the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) next year a petition seeking to recover their investment in the project, which is considered as a capital expenditure.

The council held a public hearing with Veco to discuss compliance with City Ordinance (CO) 2135, which requires all power, water and telecommunications lines to be placed underground.

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The underground cabling project was implemented by Veco on Osmeña Blvd., from the Cebu Provincial Capitol to the Fuente Osmeña Circle. The project was inaugurated by Veco last month.

Sederiosa said during the public hearing that Veco hopes to pass on the cost of the project to consumers as it is a service improvement that benefits the public.

Improvement

“With the underground distribution system, we expect less interruption because of entangled kites or trees falling on our wires. It’s really an improvement and any improvement is beneficial to customers,” she said.

She said the share per customer will be determined by the ERC.

Unlike Veco, the Philippine Long Distance Telephone (PLDT) Co. will not pass on the cost of its underground cabling project in the same area.

PLDT Cebu Business Zone head Bong Lintag, who also appeared before the council, said their underground cabling costs between P2 million and P3 million.

Lintag said the National Telecommunications Commission prohibits the PLDT from recovering its investment by passing on the cost of the project.

Before the public hearing ended yesterday, Councilor Alvin Dizon requested Veco to consult consumers about the plan. “Any increase is an added burden to the consumers,” he said.

Dizon also asked the City Council to set a public hearing on the issue. The legislative body set one on Jan. 14.

The council also asked Veco to furnish the body a copy of the petition once it is filed before the ERC.

Mayor Michael Rama said Veco should not pass on the cost of the underground cabling.

“They should not do that. They already have a lot of profit. It (underground cabling project) should be part of their corporate social responsibility,” he added.


Veco mulls passing on cost of P78-M underground cabling project | Sun.Star

So, expected nga mosaka ang bill sa kuryente ani?

[kit_cebu]

^pinas...what do you expect...

[babyfaceAss]

Pag solar nlng mo oi.

[The_JACKAL]

Paita sa consumers, pi-it jud pirmi bisan asa dapita lugi tsk2...

[C'thulhu]

It is a business after all, which aim is to make profit... What do you expect?

[Little_Mermaid88]

they won't give something unless they get something bigger in return. di nlang ta mg-expect nga free ni.

[cmac2]

As if wala ni sila ginancya or ma save if they go underground.
Back-wards kaayo ug huna2 knowing they can just influence the politicians 'with their means' to allow the consumers to take the burden.

Go solar. Save money. Save the environment.

[Graffitivoir]

It's a cooperative then they should consult the members first and should reach a conclusive consensus.

[firestarter]

It's not Pilipinas.. It's VECO.. mao gyud ni ilang style.. mismo mobuto nga transformer ang consumer maoy pa shoulderon.
Tanawa ug tarong basaha ang mga charges ipamutang diha sa bill..
Mismo senior citizen charge gi apil nag butang sa bill.. VECO.. tsk2x..

[Passport]

Cooperative diay ang VECO?

if so.. yes, mutabang ang mga members sa capital expenditures.

if not.. dili angay ipasa sa members ang gasto ana.