Bacolod mayor eyes suit vs Ceneco over damaged aircon unit

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD City – Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo Benitez on Monday said he is eyeing to sue Central Negros Electric Cooperative (Ceneco) here after a newly bought air conditioning unit at his residence was damaged due to power supply fluctuation.

“My issue right now is with Ceneco, because just the other day, there was power supply fluctuation, ang isa ko ka aircon nga bag-o naguba,” Benitez said during a press conference.

The mayor said he asked the City Legal Office to determine Ceneco’s liability in such cases.

He said that based on the EPIRA Law (Electric Power Industry Reform Act), the franchise area should be consistent with the distribution code. The distribution code defines the technical aspects to ensure that the distribution is operational in a safe and efficient manner with a high degree of reliability.

“So quality of service is something that we should ask them,” Benitez said.

He added that “my understanding is Ceneco should have a protection system so that when the power supply fluctuates ang mga consumers indi maigo”.

He further said that Ceneco should have that equipment in place to protect the consumers.

“So I am looking at this so that if ever there is liability on their part I don’t mind organizing a class action suit against them para mabawi ko ang naguba nga aircon,” he pointed out.

Benitez further said, “I am sure there are others who have the same experience, it is incumbent on their part to protect the consumers there should be a protection system that should be in place.”