PERFORMANCE REVIEW OF PANAY ELECTRIC DISTRIBUTION NETWORK

The efficient supply and distribution of power in Iloilo is a major concern of the Iloilo Economic Development Foundation (ILEDF). Following its active support to the establishment of the 164 Coal Fired Power Plant in 2009, ILEDF engaged the services of the Singaporean based company, Parsons Brinkerhoff, to do a performance review of Iloilo City’s power distributor, Panay Electric Co. Inc. Parsons Brinkerhoff provides strategic consulting, planning, engineering, and program and construction management services to both public and private sector clients.

POSITION PAPERS

The Iloilo Economic Development Foundation, Inc. issued position papers regarding the petition on the regional wage increase and the successive bombing incidents which were alleged to be election related because these are issues that affect cost of doing business and peace and order. ILED’s thrust is to make sure that the local business climate is conducive to investments and competitive among other Cities and Provinces in the country.

SUPPORT FOR THE COAL FIRED PLANT PROJECT

Business sector heads under ILEDF showed support during the Public Hearing conducted by DENR last February 15, 2008 on the Environmental Compliance Certificate of the Coal Fired Power Plant at the Lapaz Plaza Gym. ILEDF also printed shirts and banners to show support. Chairman, Dr. Alfonso Uy and President, Rex C. Drilon II attended the ground breaking ceremony last September 20, 2008. The project is set to be completed last quarter of 2010.

ENDORSEMENT OF THE PAGLAUM FUND

Following the devastation of Typhoon Frank last June, Bangon Panay Rehabilitation Project was set up and was later renamed as “Paglaum Fund” aimed to provide livelihood relief and rehabilitation for affected areas in Panay. The Bill was sponsored by Congressman Arthur Defensor, co-sponsored by several Congressmen from Western Visayas. The bill also provides for the creation of a commission that will manage the P8 billion fund. The fund will be coursed through the different line agencies and priority will be given to infrastructure projects e.g. roads and bridges. Line agencies, all the governors and mayors, will be part of the Commission plus two representatives from the local chief executives chosen by the president and two representatives from Congress appointed by the Speaker of the House. ILEDFI sent a resolution duly signed by all the members of the Board of Trustees, endorsing the Bill to Congress and the Office of the President of the Philippines.