CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – A top executive of the San Fernando Electric Light and Power Company (Sfelapco) on Monday said the decision to implement its pending power supply agreement (PSA) is part of its commitment to provide stable and affordable power supply to its customers in this city. Jose Lazatin, Sfelapco senior vice president and general manager, issued this pronouncement during the hearing of the Senate Committee on Energy, chaired by Senator Raffy Tulfo, on the company’s implementation of its PSA with AP Renewables Inc. (APRI) that has been pending with the Energy Regulatory Commission for 10 years.
Lazatin explained that Sfelapco entered into the said power agreement with APRI on Dec. 5, 2012, and applied for its approval with the ERC on January 2, 2013. However, the application hasn’t been acted upon by the ERC until now.
“Because of this, we were compelled to implement the new PSA. This, Honorable Chair, is still in adherence with the ERC Guidelines,” Lazatin told the committee.
“We made this decision with the best interest of our consumers in mind who have benefitted from the lowest electricity rates in the area,” he added.
Sfelapco said this decision paid off as the company’s consumers have been spared from paying for more expensive power supply from the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WSEM).
The move also helped keep electricity rates low and stable amid a global energy crisis, Lazatin pointed out.
“Hindi po ito naging madali dahil napakarami pong challenges ang kinakaharap ng energy industry. Pero lagi po namin inuuna kung ano ang makakabuti para sa aming mga consumers,” he added.
Lazatin said the company is ready to sit down and work together with concerned stakeholders to lower electricity rates.
“We are willing to participate in a discussion on how we can all work together to lower electricity rates. Sana po ay matulungan po ninyo kaming maipagpatuloy ang pagbibigay ng quality service sa abot-kayang presyo sa aming mga kababayan sa Pampanga,” he said.
The company also expressed optimism that the hearing will help pave the way for the development of more policies that will benefit the energy industry. Punto News Team/PR
