ariellalisan.org – Homeward Bound

I HAVE only watched the news program last night after more than a week of no-TV. And last night, I have heard so much blabbery on the “system loss charge” that Meralco passes on to its consumers. There was this activist who pushes on the complete removal of “system loss charge” from the Meralco bill, which he thinks will significantly reduce power rates nationwide.

So, the problem is the high cost of electricity that is blamed on the other charges collected by Meralco and other distributors. I believe that it is legal to collect such a charge becasue according my readings, there is a law that allows distribution utilities to pass on  to their consumers up to 9.5% of power purchased. But I don’t know how much Meralco charges its consumers for its system loss.

But what exactly is this thing called system loss? The discussion on TV focuses on pilferage or theft of electricity. That is what some groups of activist know that is why they are clamoring for the removal of which in our bill. They are thinking that Meralco charges everyone the cost of electricity stolen by other people.

System loss isn’t just that. It is an inevitable drawback of electric transmission.

A BOMB blast rocked the crowd of people celebrating the culminating activities of Kalilangan Festival, GenSan’s 69th Foundation Anniversary  of at the Oval Plaza, General Santos City, 10:45 last night, Feb 27, 2008, leaving one dead and six injured.

The only fatality was reportedly the suspected bomber.

He was identified by the local authorities as Glenn Octaviano, 27, a resident of nearby city, Koronadal.

The other six injured were Mario Abasilan, Arnel Tinaco, Noel Navarro, Randy Cuevas, Benjie Querin, and Melvin Saranillo.

After the explosion, the festivities continued.

It is a question how the bomber was able to pass through the tight security in the vicinity.

PEOPLE DOWN South of Mindanao anticipate every February the Kalilangan Festival, grand celebration of the natural, cultural, and economic wealth of the Philippine?s Tuna Capital?the city of General Santos.

Kalilang is the Maguindanaon term for celebration, thus, February 16-29 is no less a time for fun and festivity.

General Santos City takes pride in its Tuna Industry that supplies the world with 2.4 million metric tons of high quality tuna each year. Because of that, the Philippines ranks 7th among the top tuna producing countries in the world, both in terms of fresh/frozen tuna and canned tuna. (from http://www.GenSantos.gov.ph)

THERE IS a President in a land not so far away who pleases herself by making people believe in her lies.

First, she told the people that life would become better for them?they would have plenty of food to eat, roof above their heads, education for their children, and work for the jobless.

But the people experienced none of these. In fact, if you would ask them, they would tell you their lives have become worse. So the people just moved on.

PHILIPPINE POLITICS is a game.?Politicians are champions. And what is up for grabs? The people’s money.

The ZTE Broadband Deal controversy is just one of the many scandals that reveal the true face of the Philippine government. Check the news today and you would be flooded with updates on the offshoots of the scrapped contract with the Chinese business firm–disappearing witnesses and?change of speakership in the Lower House.

This is the prevailing scenario as I see it: The President is so desperate to hold on to power. Thus she is so desperate to?clean up the mess.