Electric Bill increase this June, explained by AKELCO

The 0.64 centavos for residential and 0.43 centavos for commercial per kilowatt hour increase in electric bills this June is another burden for both common households and businessmen.

However, according to Aklan Electric Cooperative (AKELCO) General Manager Chito Peralta during an interview yesterday morning, this is just temporary for the month of June because it will roll back again next month

He readily cleared out the consumer's doubt on this matter by saying that they should not worry about this.

Peralta explained that this has occurred due to the insufficient electric supply in Aklan, requiring them to obtain additional supply from the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM).

Although this is one of the four energy sources of AKELCO, they are only incurring 10% from them, the reason they acquired additional energy in order to cover the insufficient supply which will then be distributed to the consumers.

This followed after one of their suppliers' encountered a problem which caused a higher demand especially during peak hour or 6 o’clock in the evening.

Three months ago, AKELCO had a charge increase, but because the problem was immediately fixed, this was followed by a roll back which happened twice.

That is why it is expected, said the General Manager that the same will happen and assured that this increase is only for this month.

First Two Days of the Color Coding Scheme Successful-BLTMPC

The first and second days of the Color Coding Scheme on tricycles, was successful according to the Boracay Land Transportation Multi-purpose Cooperative (BLTMPC).  

The scheme was implemented on Friday and Saturday in the resort Island of Boracay.

However, according to the BLTMPC a different color was seen plying the streets of the island aside from the scheduled blue or yellow colors.

The other color being referred to is the green colored e-trikes according to the General Manager of BLTMPC, Ryan Tubi.  

Tubi added that if there is a tricycle roaming on the streets which is not scheduled, the agreement is that a signboard saying “for personal or family use” should be put up. This is to avoid transgressing the Color Coding Scheme.

BLTMPC’s E-trikes, cheaper than those which came in first

Boracay Land Transportation Multi-purpose Cooperative o BLTMPC had bought e-trikes from a supplier with a cost which is 50% cheaper than those first e-trikes that the local government of Malay had permitted.

According to Ryan Tubi, BLTMPC’s General Manager, this will lead to the transition of the traditional tricycles in exchange to vehicles that do not emit smoke to protect the environment of the island.

They had searched for a supplier that will provide the units for Boracay, as the SB had told that the cooperative could look for a supplier which would require a lesser cost.

He also revealed that the reason for them to opt for another supplier and not at the same one where the first e-trikes were bought is because it costs almost 50% more.

Meanwhile as a reaction to what SB Member Welbic Gelito and Dante Pagsugiron explained to why the green e-trikes charges for its service, Mr. Tubi said they were not suppose to do that (charging) because the quality of the e-trikes is the subject of the test-drive and not how much profit can the unit accumulate.

That is why, according to him, BLTMPC’s 3 units’ service is free of charge as they are doing the test drive if these e-trikes could sustain the roads in Boracay.

It was previously stated by the two mentioned councilors that the council permits the green e-trikes, which is managed by Pagsugiron, to charge their service in order to see if these units could gain income or could take back their expenses on its everyday operation.

KIA Awaits for the Decision on Its Proposed Terminal Fee Hike from the CAAP

A decision from the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), with regard to the proposed Terminal Fee increase by the Kalibo International Airport (KIA), is expected by next week.

According to the KIA Manager Engr. Percy Malonesio, KIA is currently waiting for the decision of CAAP after a Public Hearing conducted in the town of Kalibo two weeks ago.

In relation to this, the Terminal Fee for International Flights is still at P500. While the Terminal Fee for Domestic Flights is still at P40.

Malonesio, however, believes that the proposed Terminal Fee increase will no longer be a problem to passengers based on the held Public Hearing.

KIA proposed for a Terminal Fee increase for the maintenance of the airport. If the proposed increase will be approved, the new Terminal Fee for Domestic Flights will be increased from P40 to P200, and for International Flights from P500 to P700.

Strict Implementation of Color Coding Scheme starts today

The local government is to start the strict implementation of seizing of tricycles which would infract the Color Coding Scheme in the island of Boracay.

Based on the statement of Island Administrator, Glenn Sacapaño, this has already been started last Friday, June 15, 2012 by the Boracay Land Transportation Multi Purpose Cooperative or BLTMPC.

However since June 15 was declared to be an official holiday this has been held up, thereby declaring this day for the formal implementation of the said scheme.

In this light, tricycles that are on trip during 6 am to 6 pm that are not on the schedule are expected to be apprehended.

Meanwhile the dry run of the color coding last Friday has been successful and effective as it resulted to lesser traffic on the island as anticipated.

However the problem with the traffic wasn’t 100% cleared, because some tricycles are still practicing illegal parking’s and u-turns, as well as improper loading and un-loading causing the traffic to build up.

Aside from this, it has been observed that many commuters were not accommodated as most units were already loaded.