Albay Public Protests Power Hike

LEGAZPI City, Sept. 15, 2010-Militant groups have staged mass protests here opposing the power rate increase imposed by Albay Gov. Joey S. Salceda to consumers of Albay Electric Cooperative (ALECO).

Bayan Muna, Gabriela and Albay Consumers Watch (ACW) staged a picket at Peñaranda Park fronting Albay Capitol in protest of the P1.66 per kilowatt hour power hike which the power cooperative has passed on to more than 200,000 member-consumers.

The groups bearing streamers and placards sounded the liberty bell to warn consumers that the power cut threat to ALECO was made to condition the minds of Albayanos to justify the power rate hike and the privatization of the cooperative.

After the picket, the protesters motored to the public markets of Daraga and Legazpi City sounding empty plastic bottles with stones to get sympathy for ALECO consumers. With the battle cry "Albayano ka, konsumidor ka, kaentra ka!" ACW underscored that even the governor and businessmen were consumers themselves.

The ACW has documented the fiscal position of ALECO as well as the shenanigans committed inside during the past ten years to manifest their stand that a rate increase will not save the ailing cooperative but to design austerity measures and prosecute those involved in plunder.

In support to mass protest against the rate hike, Fr. Ramonchito Segubiense has called for an assembly of consumers on Sept. 14, 2010 to firm up resolutions also on how to go against the impending private takeover of ALECO by synthesizing the sentiments and concerns of the different sectors against Salceda's move. (Elmer James Bandol)