The Department of Energy trimmed down the list of ailing electric cooperatives under review to eight from the original 17.
“We have recalled that [cancellation] because there are updates. Eight came out [under the review]. We are talking to eight to fix their systems. We did not revoke any,” Energy Undersecretary Felix William Fuentebella said.
The eight electric cooperatives are Basilan, Sulu, Tawi Tawi, Ticao, Maguindanao, Abra, Lanao del sur and Masbate.
“The issue is how do we protect the good co-ops. The good co-ops are sometimes the target of private entities for revocation, then [the government] gives the franchise to an entity that applies. So Secretary [Alfonso] Cusi said let’s concentrate with those ailing and how we can fix their system and what’s best for them,” Fuentebella said.
The original 17 ECs included Albay, Camarines Sur III, Davao del Norte, First Catanduanes, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Palawan, Pampanga III and Zamboanga City.