Audit on power coop’s ‘over-collection’ sought

By Reynaldo G. Navales

Tuesday, July 19, 2011
ANGELES CITY — A group of consumers based in Parañaque City is asking the Energy Regulatory Board (ERB) to conduct a “regulatory audit” on alleged over-collection by the Angeles Electric Corporation (AEC) from 2005 to 2008 amounting to P528,977,139.
Pete L. Ilagan, president of the National Association of Electricity Consumers for Reforms Inc. (Nasecore), said their findings were based on the commission’s Unbundling Decision dated June 23, 2004 under ERC Case Number 2001-894, granting AEC’s annual revenue requirement.
Ilagan stated that Nasecore studied AEC’s 2006 to 2009 annual reports and compared its ERC-approved annual revenue requirement against its actual annual revenues. This study was conducted to determine if AEC was getting its ERC-approved annual revenue requirement, he said.
Based on its study, the Nasecore stated that AEC had an over-collection of almost P529 million from 2005 to 2008 representing net of purchased power cost.
No overcharging
The AEC, meanwhile, has called “absurd” the allegations made by the Paranaque-based group that the electric power firm has overcharged its customers by more than P500 million from the period of 2005 to 2008.
Myra Rivera, head of the AEC Customer Service Department, clarified that while the unbundled rates of AEC, under Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) Case Number 2001-894, were approved in 2004, the implementation was deferred until July 2008, pending the resolution of a motion for reconsideration that was filed by the utility with the ERC.
“It is therefore impossible for AEC to have overcharged its consumers because its distribution rates were never changed during the said period,” Rivera said.
In fact, prior to the 2008 implementation of its unbundled rates, AEC distribution rates never increased for 12 years. The firm has remained under the return-on-rate basis (RORB) methodology since 1996 until 2008.
The unbundling of the rates of distribution utilities is required under the Epira law as a prerequisite for open access and retail competition.
“This and any information about the claims of the group may be verified with the ERC, the industry’s regulatory body which closely oversees the operations of distribution utilities in the country and ensures the welfare of electricity consumers,” Rivera said.
Mandate
With this, the Nasecore said the ERC should be reminded of its legal mandate of ensuring the promotion of consumers’ interest.
Ilagan even claimed that the ERC failed to monitor and review the operations of AEC to determine if the power firm is not overcharging its consumers based on its commission-approved annual revenue.
The Nasecore is urging the ERC to act swiftly on its request to protect consumers from unjust and unreasonable rates.
Ilagan also sent his letter to ERC to other government officials, including Energy Secretary Jose Rene Almendras; Senator Sergio Osmena, Senate committee chair on energy; Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri, Senate committee chair on cooperative development; Congressman Ponciano Payuyo, Apec Partylist representative; Congressman Carmelo Lazatin; Governor Lilia Pineda; and Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan, among others.
Published in the Sun.Star Pampanga newspaper on July 20, 2011.

Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/pampanga/local-news/2011/07/19/audit-power-coops-over-collection-sought-167775

Wine is becoming increasingly popular in Manila and other cities in the Philippines. Wine lovers in Manila travel to the north to visit Clark, Pampanga to shop for good and rate vintage wines at good duty-free prices. The most frequently visited liquor shop in Manila and wine shop in Pampanga is Clark Wine Center. This highly recommended wine shop located outside Manila near Angeles City, Pampanga in North Luzon is known for offering a great selection of fine vintage wine that is good quality and good value for money also.

This well-known wine shop is a famous shopping destination for wine enthusiasts in Manila and wine lovers from other cities in Asia including Hong Kong, Macau, Shanghai, Beijing, Seoul, Osaka and Tokyo.

Famous Philippines wine supplier known for its line of fine vintage wines, Yats Wine Cellars was established in 2000 to address the requirement of a growing population of wine enthusiasts in the Philippines. This 5-star wine shop caters to the discerning client who requires these qualities in their wines: (1) excellent value, (2) large selection of labels and vintages to choose from and (3) wines properly aged for full enjoyment.

Public wine tastings are held from time to time in Clark and sometimes in Manila. Tickets range from p500 to p1500 for these themed events that are professionally run –no wine merchants sponsorship, pushy salesmen or tacky banners to ruin the evening. Each ticket contains a certain number of stubs that can be redeemed for a tasting pour of a wine among those on a line-up which often contains wines that are quite old and expensive.

http://www.ClarkWineCenter.com

Getting to this wine shop in Pampanga Angeles City Clark Freeport Zone Philippines from Manila
Getting to the Clark Wine Center wine shop from Manila is quite simple: after entering Clark Freeport from Dau and Angeles City, proceed straight along the main highway M A Roxas. Clark Wine Center is the stand-along white building on the right, at the corner A Bonifacio Ave. From the Clark International Airport DMIA, ask the taxi to drive towards the entrance of Clark going to Angeles City. From Mimosa, just proceed towards the exit of Clark and this wine shop is on the opposite side of the main road M A Roxas.

Best place to buy wine in Clark Pampanga outside Manila near Subic and Angeles City Philippines is Clark Wine Center.

Click here to contact Clark Wine Center in Clark Pampanga for inquiries and orders.

Clark Wine Center
Bldg 6460 Clark Observatory Building
Manuel A. Roxas Highway corner A Bonifacio Ave,
Angeles Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga 2023
0922-870-5173 0917-826-8790 (ask for Ana Fe)

Wine@Yats-International.com

YATS Wine Cellars
Manila Sales Office
3003C East Tower, Phil Stock Exchange Center,
Exchange Rd Ortigas Metro Manila, Philippines 1605
(632) 637-5019 0917-520-4393 ask for Rea or Chay

Wedding couples looking for wedding reception venues and beach wedding venues can log on to this Philippines Wedding Venue web site for free information and assistance:

http://www.PhilippinesWeddingVenue.com

While in Clark, it might be a good idea to enjoy an evening of wine-and-dine in the fine dining Yats Restaurant and Wine Bar that features an award winning 2700-line wine list. Highly recommended fine dining restaurant in Manila for special occasion is Yats Restaurant & Wine Lounge located in the famous Mimosa Leisure Estate in Clark Pampanga. Situated near this popular restaurant in Clark is the Mimosa Golf Course as well as the Mimosa Clark Casino. This top rated restaurant near Angeles City Pampanga in Clark Philippines is frequently used for private parties and corporate functions such as board meetings and other gatherings. It is located in Mimosa Leisure Estate of Clark Freeport Zone. For more information, visit http://www.YatsRestaurant.com

YATS Leisure Philippines is a developer and operator of clubs, resorts and high-class restaurants and wine shops in Clark Angeles Philippines http://www.YatsLeisure.com

Looking for famous tourists spots, places to visit and see, relax and unwind in Clark, Pampanga, Philippines? You may want to check out these sites also:

http://www.LondonPubClark.com

Besides good restaurants to wine and dine near Manila, Subic or in Angeles City Pampanga, Clark Philippines, those requiring assistance for hotel and resort bookings in Clark, Pampanga, Philippines may log on to http://www.HotelClarkPhilippines.com for more information and reservations.

The lifestyle in Clark Pampanga is quite unique. For more information about shopping, sports, golf, leisure, hotel accommodation, where to see and visit, what to do, where to wine and dine and good places to hang out, relax, have a drink with friends, child-friendly establishments, log on to
http://www.ClarkPhilippines.com

Wine lovers looking for a special bottle or something that is of great value and special discounts might log on to this web site to shop for fine vintage wines
http://www.YatsWineCellars.com

Those visitors who plan to relax and unwind in Angeles City, Subic, Pampanga, Clark Philippines might make an effort to book a room at the famous beach and lake resort Clearwater Resort & Country Club. This famous hotel in Clark Pampanga is frequently visited by families with children looking for a good place in Clark to see, a good holiday destination for the family to relax and unwind in the beautiful outdoor facilities. For more information, log on to www.ClearwaterPhilippines.com