One of the good things that came out of the series of destructive typhoons that hit the country is the realization that power rates can actually be manipulated and taken advantage of by unscrupulous interest groups.
Giving in to the shouts of consumers who cried foul over the inexplicable rise in power rate charges, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo immediately ordered an investigation to go after power utilities involved in the price gouging.
Of course, it would be premature to celebrate simply because the President has ordered an investigation. There have been numerous instances when investigations were ordered in the thick of the uproar, only to lose steam when public interest lost steam.
It matters little that she uttered fighting words to express her outrage over the opportunism that prompted the sudden increase. We have heard enough fighting words that turned up hollow for them to make us sit up.
Indeed, this country has lost its moorings enough for people in power to throw conscience and compassion out of the window. To opportunists like those in the power sector, it does not matter anymore that among the hardest hit by the sudden increase in power charges are the poorest who had just been badly shaken.
It matters little that many of them have lost valuable livelihood investments such as their farms and farm implements, their homes and even their lost loved ones. They do not know how to get back on their feet, if ever they can still do it.
What matters to these vultures is that they make money while the opportunity presents itself. Indeed, let the cash registers ring while no one is looking. Forget about compassion. More profit is music to their ears.
Investigations may intimidate lesser mortals, but not those who have grown wiser to the ways of this administration. If you know which buttons to push, you will find your way out. There may be a slap on the wrist, but that is all there is to it.
What makes this whole episode disgusting however is that unknown to many people, Boholanos have actually been paying higher cost of electricity compared to their neighbors in the region. And yet, nobody seems to give a hoot about it.
Not our politicians, who are supposed to be right at home in the corridors of power. And not their critics who have been shouting against them even for the slightest hint of impropriety.
The sad thing about this is that, if by some miracle, the investigations yield something positive, Boholanos cannot be sure they will get something out of it. Does anybody still care out there for us?
Published on Oct 15, 2006 by The Bohol Standard Newspaper
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