HIMAMAYLAN CITY, Negros Occidental, Philippines – The lawyer-acting manager of the local power utilities firm servicing four cities and several towns called on solons and consumers to “unite against privatization” amid fears from some quarters about a looming takeover of distribution services in the province by a private entity.
Lawyer Dan Pondevilla, project supervisor of the Central Negros Electric Cooperative and acting general manager, told DNX in an interview on the sidelines of the Tour of the Fireflies here that only a cooperative owned by consumer-members can ensure “affordable” power rates.
Cooperatives think more of sustainability of operations rather than profits, which is what private companies really think of, he added.
Pondevilla, who is concurrent general manager of the North Negros Electric Cooperative, also confirmed that CENECO’s franchise is set to end after 10 years.
PROTECT ENVIRONMENT
Pondevilla also said there is a need to protect the environment amid the floods that happened in several northern Negros cities.
The lawyer-manager was one of the more than 1,000 bikers who took part in the Tour of the Fireflies 2021 hosted for the second time this year by this city.
The Tour advocates, among others, environmental protection.
