the unseeen face of EBA (Electric Bill Adhustments)

The University of the Philippines is the country’s National University. In order to cater the need for quality and accessible education in the regional areas, it had branched out to different parts of the country including the Visayas. Thus, a diverse kind of culture in the University of the Philippines Visayas was developed due to the different origin of the students, coming from far away provinces and cities of Mindanao and Luzon. Hence, it paved the way for the university to provide these students dormitories that could cater their need for a home at low costs. In UP Visayas (UPV) there are three campuses: Tacloban, Cebu and Iloilo (divided into Iloilo City and Miagao). In UP Iloilo, there are six dormitories, one at Iloilo City (Balay Ilonggo) and four in Miagao (Balay Lampirong, Kanlaon, Gumamela, Madya-as and Apitong). The rates of these dormitories are at P300/ month and a regular price for appliance at P22/appliance/month for Miagao-based dormitories and P35/appliance/month for Iloilo-based dormitories. However, as they say, change is the only constant thing is this world. In 2007, the university increased the tuition of the university to 300%, from P200/unit, it became P600/unit. After two years, another increase was made but this time, it was to the appliance rate in the dormitories. From P22/appliance/month (for Miagao-based) and P35/appliance/ month (for Iloilo city-based), the prices of each appliance varied according to its power consumption that resulted to P35-150/appliance/month (for Iloilo city-based) and P22-100/appliance/month. The prices differ because the dormitories in Iloilo City gets electric source from Panay Electric Cooperative (PECO) and those in Miagao is being supplied by Iloilo Electric Cooperative I (ILECO I). Rates to these suppliers of electricity also varies, PECO charges P12.86/Kwh while ILECO I, P6.27/Kwh. PECO’s rate is double the rate of ILECO I. The Electric Bill Adjustments (EBA) was initiated by the Office of Student Affairs, because university dormitories are under the aforementioned office. This was initiated during the term of Prof. Agustin G. Huyong, head of the Office of Student Affairs (OSA) in 2006-2007. This was followed-up by Prof. Marilyn Z. Alcarde, OSA head 2007-2008. However, this was only implemented during the term of Prof. Geraldine N. Garcia in January 2009 that the EBA was approved and implemented. According to the same letter of Prof. Huyong, Alcarde and Garcia to Engr. Rolando Jamero, head of Campus Development and Maintenance Office (CDMO), it is just proper to review the electric usage of the appliances in the dorms due to power hike. There had been no increase or adjustment ever since the start of operation of the dormitories. The following are the approved rates of EBA in respond to the request of OSA director Geraldine N. Garcia and the recommendation of the UPV Fiscal Policies and Operations Committee (UPV FPOC): However, the computed power consumption of appliances in the dormitories is as follows based on the data given by the CDMO: In a letter addressed to Chancellor by the OSA director, it was amended that the ipods/MP3s will no longer be charged since these are connected to laptops during charging. The summary of rates multiplied by the number of appliance in the dormitories is as followed: As shown in the table above, the residents are still paying less than what they are supposed to pay. As stated, PECO rates are double the rates of ILECO I. Formula: Iloilo city dorm rate=Miagao-dorm rate X 2 The rates in the dormitory of UPV Iloilo City did not turn out to be the exact amount that is being expected from them to pay. Only the hair dryer/blower has met the formula for the expected amount. Regarding the electric fan, computer and printer, it only charged more or less 75% of what is expected of them. However, the rate of charger exceeded P5.00 compared to the expected rate. If there was a way in lowering the amount of electricity in Iloilo City dormitory, then it is also possible and reasonable to apply it in Miagao dormitories. It’s only fair and appropriate to give both the same considerations irrespective of the campus. Power hike might be a very good reason why this adjustment in the electrical rates in UPV dormitories must be implemented but the request did not satisfy the students call for transparency and explanation. This issue had led to a more questionable state when the power consumption of the administration buildings was sought. Prior to that there is an existing question on the whereabouts of the P250, energy fee as reflected on the form 5 of the students. According to the OSA, this fee is being used in order to pay for the power consumption within the university campus only. Last year, the university had the highest total consumption at 151,166.00 kilo watt hour (KWH) from September 4 to October 5. This cost the university P1,344,472.10 as reflected in the summary of power consumption from the CDMO. Miagao (42 offices/buildings) = 118, 256.00 – (2,976+2,728¬+2,336+2,292+2,668) = 118,256.00¬ – 13,000 = 105,256 KWH Iloilo City (27 offices/buildings) = 33,611.00 – 1,868.80 = 31,742. 20 KWH Total Amount = P 1,345,610.70 Miagao Administration 105,256 x 8.17 = P859, 941.52 Dormitories 13,000 x 8.17 = P106,210.00 There is a big difference of P753, 731.52 that the consumption of the dormitories are less than the consumption of the administration. However, the administration buildings do not have an electric meter that separates its computed consumption from the rest of the university buildings. According to CDMO, the computed consumption is just estimation. Transparency is lost in here. Based on the data presented that we gathered from CDMO, Office of the student affairs, and administration, we developed the following conclusions; first is that student should not be over critical and reactive with the EBA, because data from reliable sources already speak for itself that students are already paying less that what they supposed to pay regarding their electric bills. Second on the part of the administration, it can’t be avoided that they will be questioned for transparency since they don’t have electric meter of their own, where in fact dormitories and colleges already have theirs. Thirdly, full and complete transparency of the offices involved to the students is the key in putting an end to the speculations of “corruption” regarding the issue of EBA. Given the fact that there has been no increase in the electric bills paid by the dormers since the inception of the UPV dormitories, it is but natural under current market conditions to have adjustments. Although there are questions and issues regarding the adjustments, the need for it in the strict sense is observable as it was presented above. The hindrances in the acceptance of this change are the lack of enough explanations, transparencies, consultations and dialogued to the students in order for them to realize and understand the need for adjustments.