Bacolod City – The campaign to vote for Yes on the Joint Venture Agreement between Central Negros Electric Cooperative and Primelectric Holdings Inc. got a further boost with the endorsement of no less than Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez.
Expressing his support for the JVA, Benitez disclosed recently that he was satisfied with the presentation of MORE Electric and Power Corporation, as it met his three conditions, including reduction of electricity rates, reduced power interruptions, and to tap renewable energy generators.
The mayor called on Bacolodnons to vote Yes for JVA during the plebiscite scheduled on June 24 and 25, as well as July 1 and 2.
Benitez disclosed that he got a favorable endorsement from Mayor Jerry Treñas, citing their experiences with MORE Power in Iloilo.
This is the kind of management (of DU) we are needing, the mayor said, who further stressed that “all the ingredients they needed, are with JVA.”
Seventy percent of Ceneco’s 210,000 member-consumers are in Bacolod City, with the remaining 30 percent in the cities of Silay, Talisay and Bago, Murcia and Don Salvador Benedicto.
Benitez said he is scheduled to meet with renewable energy distributors for them to supply Ceneco.
The mayor said he was also told by MORE Power they will cut down system loss from the current eight percent to five percent, stressing also they will invest P2 billion on Day 1, for replacement and improvement of antiquated Ceneco equipment and facilities, among others.
“That is a big reduction. It shows the efficiency of the distribution utility,” Benitez added.
“If we are looking for a good manager of our power distribution system in Bacolod, this is it,” Benitez pointed out.
As to apprehensions of Ceneco employees of dislocation from their jobs, Benitez said they are being guaranteed of priority in hiring, once the JVA is approved.
He added that Ceneco cannot move forward, as they cannot qualify for a loan, as it is saddled with inefficient operation, noting also that they have an outstanding loan of P600 million to P800 million.
If we get another loan, it will drown with debt. “What’s the alternative? The JVA will ensure better services and lower electricity rates,” he added.
As to apprehensions that electric rates will increase if the is JVA approved, Benitez said “that’s highly regulated,” stressing that it has to go through the Energy Regulatory Commission, which is the same with the current situation of Ceneco. (Chrysee Semillano via tvds photo by tvds)
