President Rodrigo R. Duterte on Thursday announced the government will take over the operations of the Palawan Electric Cooperative (Paleco) due to the “sorry state” of the energy supply in Palawan.
During his speech before the National Task Force and Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict in Palawan, Duterte said he is discussing with Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi the order he will issue next week for the takeover of the Paleco’s power distribution assets.
He said Paleco could voluntarily sell its operation to the government and be given compensation for it or the government could just expropriate its assets.
The President noted he made the decision after Paleco allegedly failed to meet the commitment it made to him three years ago to improve its performance.
Paleco, he said, cannot claim exclusivity or private interest since utilities like electricity distribution are impressed with public good.
“So I will just confiscate it. It is not right.It is not a privilege. It’s a thing granted to you and the government can take it any time,” Duterte said.
Duterte said he decided to intervene due to the existing complaints of power shortage in Palawan.
He noted addressing the issue will be crucial to spur further economic development in the island province.