BY ADRIAN P. NEMES III
The Negros chapter of the multi-sectoral group, Sanlakas, said it is planning to file a complaint against the Central Negros Electric Cooperative – Third Party Bids and Awards Committee for gross negligence and incompetence, over its insistence to immediately proceed in purchasing electricity from coal plants.
Sanlakas-Negros coordinator, Jun Año, said they wonder why the TPBAC of Ceneco seems to be rushing in signing a new contract without taking into consideration the effects of their decision on electric consumers, especially in this time of the pandemic.
“In fact, various groups are insisting that the Competitive Selection Process must be done with better terms,” the group said in a press statement.
Año said they are demanding that Ceneco-TPBAC conduct a CSP, based on their new Power Supply Procurement Plan to ensure that the economic impact of the pandemic will be taken into consideration.
He said that Ceneco should not “lock-in the consumers in paying for electricity that is not needed since they are using old data that is pre-pandemic”.
Año added that the economic effects of the pandemic reduced the demand for power, especially from commercial and industrial users, which means that consumers will have to pay for higher electricity bills if Ceneco will proceed with its plans.
“Worse, they are shackling Negrosanons to coal energy, contrary to the objective of our island, being declared 100-percent free of dirty energy sources,” he said.
Año said they are currently reviewing documents, and consulting with experts to ensure that their complaint against the Ceneco-TPBAC is “a strong case that will put an end to fossil fuel in Negros”.
Power Watch Negros also earlier filed administrative charges against Ceneco officials, led by its acting manager Danny Pondevilla, and members of the Board of Directors.*
