Due to unpaid P4.9 million arrears: Abra power lines cut, restored by Aboitiz

By Mar T. Supnad

BANGUED, Abra — Power supply was temporarily restored in this province Wednesday after days of massive power outage due to unpaid bills to Aboitiz Corp., the firm that supplies power directly to the cash-strapped Abra Electric Coop.

The reconnection of the power supply came after provincial officials led by Gov. Takitz Bersamin, Rep. Joy Bernos, ABRECO and Aboitiz sat down Tuesday to discuss the problem. Power was cut Dec. 9.

Consumers privy to the talks said Aboitiz agreed to supply their power temporarily and gave ABRECO up to Dec. 24 only to settle their unpaid bills amounting to P4.9 million.

ABRECO, which had been reported in local media to have incurred P600 million in losses, could not be reached for comment. 

Earlier, local folk fired guns to air their frustration even as candles and kerosene became scarce.

Dick Bersamira, leader of Abra for Truth Movement, said gasoline stations were running out of kerosene while many stores had candle stocks declining.

Abra's electricity would have been cut off since October had it not been for the intervention of government officials.

On Dec. 26, 2011,  Aboitiz signed an agreement with Abreco to provide electricity to more than 43,000 member-consumers of the cooperative.

Abreco distributes electricity to 26 municipalities in Abra.

The cooperative has been unable to improve its finances.

Cooperative manager Loreto Seares Jr. earlier vowed that the cooperative would be able to fulfill their side of the agreement with the Aboitiz firm.

Seares said the cooperative is also planning to  build a mini-hydro project in Daguioman town, also in the province to tap renewable energy potentials in the province.