9/11 and a Phone Call: part 3

Even the best will have to struggle to survive

The policies of EPIRA are not quite like the jumbo jets targeting the electric cooperatives. In fact EPIRA’s main target are the generation and transmission part of the electric power industry. Former secretary Viray even admitted in a public speech that in crafting EPIRA, they did not take into account the specific situation and needs of the electric cooperatives. But there is a lot of potential “collateral damage.”

The open access regime of EPIRA means that big loads can have direct connections to the generation companies. Of course this is their right and will probably result in lower rates for them, especially if the generation company is a sister company. But it will deprive the ECs of the scale of load that allows them to take care of the numerous smaller loads, including the lifeline raters.

It is not clear in EPIRA if the existing policy of total electrification of the Philippines especially in rural areas and remote areas is affirmed. Or has it been downplayed, or worse, dropped? Will those barangays, sitios, and households without access have to wait till their incomes go up and till their population density increases before the electric lines are extended to them? 

EPIRA gives the ECs the option to become stock for-profit coops or corporations. Although this is optional, the fact that these options have been introduced means that it is the new intent of the law. Otherwise it would have focused on giving incentives to the ECs to be efficient and competitive while remaining non-stock non-profit.

From his vantage point as a national official, Fr. Silva has warned the ECs about what EPIRA will bring about.  He has assembled the GMs of the best performing cooperatives for what he called “survival sessions.”

For some GMs, it seemed like hyperbole. But after considering the various challenges, the realization sank in. There was also a sinking feeling that so many factors are beyond the direct control of the electric coops or even NEA.

The way to start is with what is within the control of the ECs and NEA. It is clear that the ECs cannot respond only individually. They need to act in solidarity. Hence the need to strengthen their leadership and their culture. But they also need to influence the general public and policy makers.

Be pure as doves, but prudent as serpents

The biblical advice for trying to live our faith in a world that is a mix of good and bad, opportunities and threats, is not often explicitly preached by Fr, Paking. But he practices it.

Many years later, Fr. Silva shared the story behind his 9/11 decision to accept the position of NEA Administrator.  He had refused it when President Ramos first offered. He refused again when President GMA offered the same position a few days after she took office in 2001.

But nine months later, DOE Secretary Perez asked him again. He explained that there were 23 applicants, all with political patrons, vying for the position of NEA Administrator. Whomever they choose to appoint, the patrons of the losers will be offended. But if Fr. Paking Silva accepts, the applicants will all withdraw because of his credentials.

The offer was to serve for a limited time, just four months till the end of 2001, enough time to insure a smooth transition. After that, he was told that he could step down and the deputy administrator Edita Bueno could take over his place as NEA Administrator .

“But why did I stay on much longer?” He answered his own question. “Because as soon as I took office, I was not only attacked from various quarters, but some even issued threats against my life.” That was the mistake of his enemies who thought they could pressure him to leave.

If there is one thing his friends know about Fr. Silva, it is that he cannot be intimidated. One of the stories he tells is about his first assignment to a town where the parish priest couldn’t keep his door open because the town bullies threw stones at his convent. When he was assigned, he issued a warning against the most notorious toughie, challenging him to a duel on the town plaza. When the gang leader didn’t show up, he went to his house and shouted at him to come out. Later they became good friends, as well as with the other gangs in the town.

Fr. Paking had done his investigations into NEA and the networks of those attacking him. Maybe that is where Rolly helped him, since he had done the same for me in TESDA. He would announce publicly at NEA meetings “There are there are only 11 corrupt people in NEA. I will declare first a 100 day ‘amnesia.’ But after that, if you persist, I will not only file cases against you to jail you. I will personally punch you.”

After a year of service, he wrote a letter to GMA asking to step down, but she set up an event where she publicly said: “Stand by me.”

He said he could not refuse that call. But after reorganizing NEA and setting up the new NEA, he irrevocably resigned and offered to serve as consultant to the new NEA Administrator. Instead, GMA decided to create a special cabinet position for him, the Presidential Adviser on Rural Electrification.

Preparing for transitions.  Fr. Paking Silva is committed to the cause of rural electrification, which he considers the greatest revolution for progress, and also the most effective anti-poverty program. He seeks out people whom he think can also commit themselves.

But he is also realistic in his assessment of the role of politics in the program. When the 2004 elections were drawing near, he suggested that I pursue my inclination to work with the opposition and break my open ties with him. That way, in case the opposition wins, I can guard the interest of the program, or at least prevent someone from being appointed who would have no sympathy for or understanding of the program.

 

The same concern looms as 2010 approaches. He is identified with the GMA presidency and while he can argue forcibly with her, once the decision is made, he says “I am a team player.” But what happens then, when another president is in power, with another set of government officials in charge of the power sector?

Some years ago, I traveled from Dumaguete via the southern route to Toledo City where the People Development Academy is located. It was another September 11, and when I got in, I was greeted with smiles. It wondered why there was some mischief in their smiles. It turned out that while I was away, Fr. Paking discussed the idea of an organization of rural electrification advocates which he wanted to call the September 11 Movement, and he had told them that I would be its president.

That initiative did not continue in its original form. What we are now organizing is the Electric Consumers Advocacy of the Philippines, or ECAP. This is where Fr. Paking Silva and I expect to be working together, in solidarity with the ECs so we can help the rural electrification movement weather the storms of EPIRA.