CABANATUAN CITY – First Gen Hydro Power Corporation which cut off power supply to Pantabangan town over unpaid bills may re-connect lines earlier than expected should the newly elected officials manifest interest to this effect, a ranking company official said.
Dennis Gonzales, FGHPC vice president, said the firm which supplies electricity to Pantabangan Municipal Electric System (PAMES) keeps its line open for e re-negotiation.
“I think yun yung pinag-iisipan ngayon kung pwedeng kausapin na yung papasok para kung meron mang maayos na agreement baka pwedeng mapabalik yung kuryente,” Gonzales, who attended the 50th anniversary celebration of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) here said.
FGHPC cut off power in the town March 7 due to debts incurred by PAMES, the power distributor run by the local government of Pantabangan.
The electricity was temporarily reconnected for the May 13 midterm elections but was cut anew on May 15.
“Kung willing namang mag-commit yung susunod na papalit,” Gonzales said in response to questions of possible early reconnection.
Gov. Aurelio Umali has said that offsetting real property taxes paid by the firm would settle the bills in at least six months.
Gonzales said PAMES has a current bill of P5.8 million aside from the outstanding obligation of some P44 million.
The firm, he said, would ask only for the current bill. “Hindi naman malaki. Hindi katulad ng dati na P50 million na pino-pondohan ng property tax,” Gonzales said.
He added, however, that negotiations would be subjected to approval of their credit department.
Residents have expressed hope their agony for lack of electricity will end with the election of new officials.
