BTF: Ball is now in Decorp’s court
DISCONNECTION OF ELECTRIC METER
MAYOR Belen Fernandez is not keen on meeting with officials of the Dagupan Electric Corporation to discuss her request to terminate the electric meter registered under the city’s name located at the former MC Adore building.
In a telephone interview with The PUNCH Thursday, Fernandez hinted that the ball is now in Decorp’s court and the company can simply terminate the meter service without the need for any meeting with her.
Decorp replied earlier to the mayor’s letter order by asking for a meeting with her to discuss the exectuion of her order.
“We didn’t ask Decorp to recall the meter but for it to terminate the meter service,” Fernandez added, correcting The PUNCH headline in last week’s issue, “BTF orders Decorp: Recall electric meter”.
The electric meter at issue is being used by the Citystate Savings Bank at the ground floor of the former MC Adore Hotel without the Dagupan City government’s consent.
The bank claims that it has been paying for its electric consumption though it never clarified if it obtained permission from the city hall to use it.
The city hall has denied authorising the bank to use the meter for its operations.
Fernandez sent a letter to Decorp dated December 27, 2013 ordering the termination of the service contract for the meter lodged at the MC Adore hotel building.
It was the second letter of Fernandez to Decorp on the meter. The first was sent in November requesting Decorpt to transfer of the meter to the adjacent Malimgas Public Market for use of the baratillo (flea market) set on Galvan Street in line with the city fiesta.
Decorp rejected the first letter citing the pendency of the libel complaint filed by the bank against Decorp retail service manager Dominador Liwag Jr. and the entire staff of The PUNCH. Instead, Decorp offered to provide a temporary meter for the exclusive use of the baratillo.
Decorp’s legal officer, Randy Castillan, earlier told The PUNCH that the request for a meeting is not a rejection of the order but to discuss the physical difficulties and possible legal ramifications in pulling out the meter since it is located and encased inside the MC Adore hotel building, now privately owned.
There is a pending case in court over the controversial sale of the MC Adore Building to the Amb ALC Holdings and Mangaement Corp. (AAHMC) headed by businessman Antonio Cabangon Chua, by the city government under then former Mayor Benjamin S. Lim.
Citystate Savings Bank, owned by AAHMC, could not apply for its own meter because it could not produce a building and business permit from city hall, one of the requirements for applying for a commercial power connection.
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