BACOLOD CITY, Negros Occidental, Philippines – The simmering issue over the proposed joint venture by a consortium of two big power firms to improve the operations of power distribution utility Central Negros Electric Cooperative will come to a head today as the management officially holds its consultations.
The closed-door conference, called for by lawyer Arnel Lapore, CENECO acting general manager, is expected to draw out the position and thoughts from those invited to attend, that includes the presidents of the rank-and-file and supervisory unions.
Lapore had earlier told DNX he expects representatives from Ignite Power, composed of MORE Power Corporation and the Manila Electric Company or MERALCO, to explain on the unsolicited proposal that was sent to CENECO a month ago.
Leonard Guilaran, president of the Responsible Supervisory and Confidential Union of Employees (RESCUE) told they were invited to the hearing but got the invitation only this morning.
He said he will attend the meeting along with the president of the rank-and-file CENECO Union of Rational Emplpyees.
As this developed, the vice mayor and several councilors here sought for comment by DNX weighed un on the issue.
Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran said he has yet to read the proposal but added it should be studied by directors of CENECO who are representatives of the consumers.
Lawyer-councilor Renecito Novero did not give any comment for now, saying he has yet to read the provisions of the proposed joint venture proposal.
Councilor Vladimir Gonzalez, a businessman-ally of sitting Mayor Alfredo Abelardo “Albee” Benitez said he is not privy to details of the proposal but gave a conditional yes to it as long as certain conditions are met.
These are: that it would lower the cost for consumers, improve services with less power interruptions, and maximize renewable energy use – conditions similar to the ones also set earlier by Benitez.
Another Benitez ally, Jude Thaddeus Sayson, said he is “okay” with the joint venture (Okay ko sa joint venture).
Other councilors have yet to answer.
