Solar firm gathers support from 20 towns

By Victor V. Saulon, Sub-Editor
SOLAR PARA Sa Bayan Corp., an entity seeking legislative franchise to operate nationwide, said on Monday that 20 towns had passed resolutions supporting the company’s mini-grid projects.
“Solar Para Sa Bayan only targets areas where consumers complain about electricity. If, instead of trying to prevent competition, utilities focused on lowering costs and improving service, then Filipinos would be satisfied with their electric service, and there’d be no need for us at all,” said Leandro L. Leviste, who is behind Solar Para Sa Bayan.
He said consumers had given their “overwhelming” support to House Bill 8179, which seeks to give his company a non-exclusive right to construct solar-battery mini-grids at no cost to the government.
“The text of the bill speaks for itself: It is non-exclusive, encourages others to apply for the same, and aims to end the existing monopolies on electricity, because we believe consumers deserve new choices for better service at lower cost. It also incurs zero cost to government, and eliminates the need for billions in subsidies to existing utilities,” he said in a statement.
Solar Para Sa Bayan said more than 100,000 Filipinos have signed petitions in support of HB 8179.
It added that consumer groups have come to the bill’s defense amid opposition from existing power suppliers threatened by the advent of competition.”
The company said its mission is to bring cheap, clean, reliable electricity to improve lives of Filipinos, citing existing projects in towns in Mindoro, Palawan, Masbate, Cagayan and Aurora.
Its target is to serve 500,000 Filipinos in 2018, in towns that want better power service.
Solar Para Sa Bayan cited two consumer groups as extending its support to the proposed legislation, namely: National Association of Electric Consumers, and Palueños Solar Power Electric Consumers Association.
Jeffrey V. Huertas, a representative of the Palueños, validated Mr. Leviste’s claim about bringing cheaper electricity to Paluan, Occidental Mindoro.
In a phone interview, he said Paluan, located in the northern tip of the province, is not served by the local electric cooperative. He added that the town was previously covered by the National Power Corp., but even the state agency had given notice about stopping its service.
He did not immediately give the price of electricity under Solar Para Sa Bayan, but he said it is “definitely” lower than the cost before.
Different electric cooperative associations have expressed their opposition to the House bill, saying there are existing mechanisms for private sector to provide electricity to unserved or undeserved areas without resorting to a legislative franchise. The bigger distribution utilities have also opposed the bill. Some legislators have also opposed the measure.