Kalibo Chamber favors high-power rate

By Michael S. Resterio

KALIBO, Aklan- Officers and members of the Kalibo Ati-atihan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) favored the power rate increases if it is only the way for a sustainable electricity supply in the province.

In a meeting held here recently, Larry Barbaza president of the KCCI said that Kalibo-based businessmen are clamoring for more electricity supply to cope with their needed demand for the operation of their businesses.

"But we understand we could not do anything but wait because residents are protesting any power rate increase of the Aklan Electric Cooperative (AKELCO)," Barbaza said.
The problem on power shortage in the province stemmed after the Kalibo Regional Trial Court issued a Temporary Restraining Order for the Global Business and Power Corporation to stop distributing power supply to AKELCO.

The TRO was issued after Congressman Florencio Miraflores questioned the controversy hounding the Electric Power Purchase Agreement (EPPA) between the GBPC and the AKELCO.

"In Kalibo, we observed the economic lives are progressing but the only way that progress is disrupted because of the low power supply," Barbaza said.

Barbaza, an owner of a pharmacy, said that among the indicator that Kalibo is progressing is the mushrooming in number of pharmaceutical firms in the town.

"One might think that the Aklanons are sick, but we welcomed the increasing number of pharmacies in Kalibo as a sign of economic growth providing better alternative medical supplies for the residents," he said.