• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Toboso Mayor Richard Jaojoco yesterday expressed disappointment over the performance of Northern Negros Electric Cooperative (NONECO), saying consumers have grown frustrated with the cooperative’s poor services and recurring power interruptions.
Jaojoco also criticized the cooperative’s high electricity rates, claiming that compared with other electric cooperatives, NONECO charges are always high.
On May, NONECO was again reported to have the highest electricity rate in Negros Island Region at P12.12/kWh, compared to Negros Power of P11.38/kWh, NOCECO at P11:45/kWh, NORECO 1 at P11.84/kWh and NORECO 2 at P11.57/kWh.
Jaojoco disclosed that consumers are already fed up with the poor quality of service being provided by NONECO, which he described as “inferior.”
During major power outages, specifically due to substation failures, NONECO routinely tapped Negros Power for temporary power, in the past years.
While there are talks about privatization of NONECO, Jaojoco, however, said he remains cautious.
But he acknowledged that Negros Power, which expressed interest in a Joint Venture Agreement with NONECO, has shown good maintenance practices and operational improvements in Bacolod.
“I don’t immediately believe what they are saying about privatization being expensive. To see is to believe,” he said, adding that electric cooperatives can also be costly depending on how they are managed.
“For me, what is important is good service and lower costs,” Jaojoco said.
He compared the situation to vehicle maintenance, saying proper maintenance ensures a smooth journey, while poor maintenance results in repeated breakdowns.
“The same thing is happening with NONECO. If there is poor maintenance, there will be brownout after brownout, and that is not good,” he said.
The proposed joint venture agreement (JVA) between the Negros Electric and Power Corp. (NEPC) and NONECO has gained the support of Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson, Cadiz City Mayor Salvador Escalante Jr., San Carlos City Mayor Renato Gustilo, and 1st District Rep. Julio Ledesma IV.
NONECO supplies power to the towns of E.B. Magalona, Manapla, Toboso, Calatrava, and the cities of Victorias, Sagay, Escalante and San Carlos in Negros Occidental.*
