• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The support for the proposed Joint Venture Agreement between the IGNITE Power, also known as the Negros Electric and Power Corporation, and Central Negros Electric Cooperative (Ceneco) continues to snowball.
In a statement, the Utilities Consumers Advocates for Reform (UCARE) joined Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson and Vice Gov. Jeffrey Ferrer, as well as Power Watch Negros in supporting the JVA.
It is the best thing that will happen to Ceneco, declared UCARE president Rodolfo Song.
Don Salvador Benedicto Mayor Marxlen dela Cruz, who also attended the briefing on JVA by MORE Power President Roel Castro on Wednesday, at the Negros Residences in Bacolod City, said he is giving full support to the JVA, stressing that his town will greatly benefit.
Based on the presentation of MORE Power, Dela Cruz said the JVA sounds promising in delivering better quality, lower power rates, and reducing system losses.
To us, no brownouts means no losses in food inventories, no cancellation of bookings, and satisfied customers, stable current means no equipment damage, and lower rates means more profit, the mayor further said.
On the other hand, Song said the JVA is anchored to RA 9136, or EPIRA law, especially the policy of State to ensure quality, reliability, security and affordability of the supply of electric power, enhance the inflow of private capital, and broaden the ownership base of power generation, transmission and distribution sectors, and ensure fair and nondiscriminatory treatment of public and private sectors, entitles it to the process of restructuring the electric power industry.
He claimed that the JVA will be coupled with the registration of Ceneco to the Consumer Development Authority (CDA), as provided for in RA 10531, as a genuine cooperative, with member consumers as the real owners of Ceneco, and eventually will have the fruits of their share in the Joint Venture Company.
“Towards the economic boom of Bacolod and the franchise area of Ceneco. Yes to JVA and CDA now,” Song said.
Lacson earlier said that JVA should be given a chance.*
