• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The talking is over. Now is the doing.
That statement was made yesterday by Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez, following an overwhelming Yes votes for the proposed Joint Venture Agreement between Negros Electric Power Corporation (NEPC) and Central Negros Electric Cooperative (CENECO), by its consumer-members.
We want them to do their promises and their pledge of commitment, for us to be able to have a better service, said Benitez, who met with MORE Power president Roel Castro.
NEPC, sister company of MORE Power, owned by business tycoon Enrique Razon, earlier assured Benitez, who supported the JVA, of reliable power supply, lower electricity rates, and the use of renewable energy.
After the Yes votes prevailed in the plebiscite, Castro said they are now awaiting the proclamation of National Electrification Administration approving the JVA.
This JVA, at the end of the day, intends to bring better services, competitive rates, and make the consumers feel that what they are paying is worth in terms of services, he stressed.
Under the JVA, an initial P2 billion will be infused to modernize CENECO’s ageing and outdated facilities, on top of the P1.7 billion payment for the purchase of electric cooperative’s assets.
Pending action by Congress on its franchise application, Castro said he will meet with the management and CENECO board of directors to determine the help they could extend to the ailing distribution facility, as long it will not violate any provision of the NEA charter, and applicable laws.
He added that he also met with CENECO council of managers on Monday, to address their concerns fairly.
As far as the Primelectric Holdings Inc. and NEPC are concerned, we will make sure that it is going to be a seamless entry. There is nothing to fear, amid some speculations, Castro stressed.
Regarding the reported massive termination of CENECO employees, Castro said “there is no one to be laid off, because we are not the one to lay off,” stressing also that they are not taking over the electric cooperative.
As stipulated also in the JVA, 30 percent of CENECO shares are still with the electric cooperative.
Benitez, on the other hand, said he is hoping that by next year, Bacolod City will be renewable energy reliant.
I am excited is really the prospect of being the first completely renewable power source, that has a lot of implications to us, particularly for international companies who would like to put up office, where the power is coming from renewable sources, the mayor said.
Benitez noted an abundance of renewable sources of power in Negros island, which is more than enough for the 170 megawatts needed by CENECO.*
