• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Alliance of Concerned Consumers in Electricity and Social Services (ACCESS) has expressed support for the proposed Joint Venture Agreement (JVA) between the Northern Negros Electric Cooperative (NONECO) and the Negros Electric and Power Corporation (Negros Power), while Cadiz City Mayor Salvador Escalante Jr. has also expressed optimism about the proposed partnership.
Escalante said that any initiative bringing better service to the public should be welcomed.
“We are open to discussions with consumers and stakeholders, and we are considering all factors that could help improve electricity services in our city and neighboring areas,” said Escalante, who is the president of Negros ACE (Association of Chief Executives).
ACCESS President Wennie Sancho said the group conducted a series of consumer education activities in areas served by NONECO, where residents raised concerns over service reliability and electricity rates.
Sancho also said that the proposed partnership aims to modernize NONECO’s facilities and improve power distribution efficiency in Northern Negros.
In a radio interview, Escalante, who is waiting for further details on the proposed JVA, said he has been coordinating Negros Occidental 2nd District Representative Alfredo “Thirdy” Marañon III, who relayed updates on the plan.
NONECO currently serves more than 200,000 consumers across the municipalities and cities from E.B. Magalona to San Carlos City, in northern Negros Occidental.
The Diocese of San Carlos in Negros Occidental earlier issued a pastoral letter calling for a careful study and discernment on the reported discussions regarding the proposed joint venture agreement between the Negros Electric and Power Corp. and the Northern Negros Electric Cooperative.
Bishop Gerardo Alminaza said he considers it as “a pastoral duty to help guide the faithful and the broader public in approaching the issue, not with haste or emotion, but with prudence, wisdom, and a sincere concern for the common good.”
Sancho said the partnership between Negros Power and NONECO is expected to bring in capital, technology, and expertise needed to upgrade the cooperative’s aging systems and meet the growing demand for electricity, citing the experience of Central Negros Electric Cooperative (CENECO) following its joint venture with Primelectric Holdings Inc. (PHI), which resulted in lower electricity rates, improved infrastructure, and faster response times.
NONECO general manager Welbe Bilbao confirmed that they received a letter of intent for a JVA with Negros Power. He, however, said that the letter has not yet been deliberated by the NONECO board of directors, and it must be raised also with the National Electrification Administration.
Negros Occidental 1st District Rep. Julio Ledesma IV was reported to have expressed his favorable reaction to the proposed JVA, while Third District Rep. Javier Miguel Benitez has yet to issue a comment.*
