The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) concluded its field inspection and data gathering as part of its investigation on the series of pole fires reported against the Panay Electric Co. (PECO).
According to the statement released by the ERC, the Commission dispatched an Inspection Team earlier this month in response to the complaint filed by Mayor Geronimo Treñas against PECO. Moreover, the Commission also invited the firm to shed light on the incidents in a hearing conducted on October 30. The energy firm was also directed to submit a written comprehensive report in a bid to explain their side on the issue.
“It would be prudent for the Commission to evaluate and analyze the situation surrounding the reported pole fire incidents in PECO’s franchise area holistically and not on a per incident or asset basis. The way that the poles are maintained over the years and the remaining useful life of the poles also needs to be looked into. We are mindful of the urgency of resolving this matter and we wish to assure the public that this is among the priority concerns of the Commission,” ERC Chairperson and CEO Agnes VST Devenadera stated.
The findings of the technical team will be present on Monday and will be released to the public accordingly.
In related news, the ERC was reported to have distanced itself from the PECO-ERC Press Conference conducted on Thursday, November 14, in a bid to avoid conclusions that might affect the investigation.
“The ERC has no participation, in any manner, in the said press conference. The ERC remains independent in the discharge of its functions, including the conduct of investigations. Premature reporting of the outcome of our investigation is but a product of speculation that deserves no purpose, except to confuse the public,” Chairperson Devanadera stated.
