Leyte Landslide

MAASIN CITY—An electric co-operative supplying the power requirements of the New Guinsaugon, St. Bernard town, Southern Leyte, has started investigating the alleged overpricing of connection fees by one of its employees.

Southern Leyte Electric Cooperative (Soleco) I manager Rosello Gerong said the employee was now under investigation.

“We already formed a panel to look into the complaints,” Gerong said.

The cooperative is also looking at the possibility of another person involved in the overpricing, he said.

“There is a report that a board member is reportedly involved but we could not yet identify him pending the outcome of our investigation,” Gerong said.

The Soleco I started the investigation after several New Guinsaugon residents complained that one of its employee had collected fees ranging from P1,300 to P1,600 to speed up the installation of electric connections to their houses.

At least 10 residents, in a handwritten letter of complaint to Soleco I, asked for a refund of the money allegedly paid to the employee.

The residents said they learned that Soleco I charges only P100 for the installation.

The signatories of the letter included Alberto Bacala Jr., Erlinda Cabañas, Ramil Duhilig, Felisciano Obosa, Elsa Pagodon, Benedicta Siega, Rolando Terante, Joey Monghit, Rizaldy Socos and Marisa Libaton.

During the commemoration of the Guinsaugon tragedy, the residents of the New Guinsaugon relocation site complained that they did not have any electric connection yet. About 40 survivors from the tragedy live in the relocation site.

Gerong said that Gawad Kalinga, which is funding the installation, has yet to pay the balance of their services. “But the Gawad Kalinga head promised to settle their account. Anytime this month, the entire village would be lighted,” he said.