Power co-op under fire for fake BFP permits

MABALACAT, Pampanga — Amid mounting reports of alleged anomalies, the Pampanga Electric Cooperative II (Pelco II) is again under fire after the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) uncovered fake fire safety permits the cooperative has allegedly been issuing to commercial establishments here.

Local BFP chief Rodolfo Baluyut said his signature in certificates of electrical inspection (CIEs) issued to new establishments in this town, has been forged.

The CIE is required by law for the installation of an electrical system in any establishment or residential building, as a fire safety measure.

The fake CIEs were uncovered after BFP personnel found Pelco II linemen installing an electrical system in a new building owned by a foreigner in Barangay Dau here.

The owner showed the BFP men a CIE purportedly issued by personnel of Pelco II with Baluyut’s signature. Baluyut, however, said his signature was forged.

An undercover agent of the BFP also acquired a CEI from Pelco II linemen after paying a certain amount.

Baluyut said the anomalous practice of Pelco II linemen could be widespread as the electric cooperative services eight Pam—panga towns.

"The danger here is the possibility of faulty electrical wiring that could cause fires," he said.

Pelco II has been under fire for years now amid audit reports showing that its "systems losses" have amounted to about P90 million. The losses are reportedly being passed on to over 100,000 households in the form of higher power bills.

The Consumers’ Alliance of Pelco II (CAP II) has called for the intervention of President Arroyo in the alleged anomalies at Pelco II after the failure of the National Electrification Administration (NEA) to pursue cases against its officials.

Recently, another audit report found some P6 million in electric bill collections missing in the records of the Pelco II office in Guagua town.

CAP II has also urged the NEA to investigate how Pelco II spent some P24 million which the defunct Mt. Pinatubo Commission (MPC) provided it to provide power for resettlements for lahar victims in Pampanga.

CAP II officials also called for vigilance against more anomalies at Pelco II, after learning that the cooperative recently received from the NEA another P7 million to put up a sub-station in Lubao town.

Consumers have criticized Pelco II for its inefficiency, saying it seldom responds to emergency situations, forcing them to tap the services of private electricians.

In Barangay Lakandula here, many electric posts of Pelco II are in danger of falling, while its busted streetlights have remained unreplaced for years.