In a press release furnished to the Visayan Daily Star The secretary general of Power Watch Negros believes that radical measures are needed to restore trust and confidence in Central Negros Electric Cooperative (Ceneco) as a distribution utility (DU).
Wennie Sancho yesterday said the rising tide of alleged discontent over mismanagement, corruption and other nefarious activities is making the DU look like a milking cow by way of fraudulent power supply agreements that were excessive beyond what the consumers and the cooperative needed.
“I believe there must be an overhaul of the Ceneco management, Board of Directors (BODs) and top cooperative officials. The DU is being allegedly used by some opportunist to enrich themselves at the expense of the unsuspecting consumers,” he said.
Sancho recommends the five R’s for Ceneco to implement – rehabilitation and reform, resignation, recall and refund.
He said Ceneco should rehabilitate its antiquated interconnected system to improve the function of its whole system, particularly its wires and associated facilities. Reforms are needed to restore Ceneco’s efficiency in terms of good management and policy direction that are pro-consumers.
Members of the BOD should be trained how to understand the cost elements in power supply contracting to see how just and reasonable electricity rates are determined for the consumers to avail the least cost of electricity. Resignation of top management officials is necessary especially those who were responsible for gross negligence and reckless decisions that were lacking of genuine concern for the interest of the consumers but resulting to onerous and unnecessary payments in their monthly bills, Sancho said.
“Top cooperative officials appointed by the National Electrification Authority (NEA) who had done nothing to mitigate the dilemma of the DU should be recalled, and lastly, we demand for our refund. Ceneco should give back what is due to the consumers,” he added.*
