Ceneco eyes P1 reduction in power rates by June 2021

By Dolly Yasa

 

BACOLOD City – Central Negros Electric Cooperative (Ceneco) project supervisor and acting general manager Atty. Danny Pondevilla said they aim to reduce power rates by PHP1 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) in June 2021.

Pondevilla, who is concurrently holding the post as General Manager of the North Negros Electric Cooperative (Noneco), was appointed by the National Electrification Administration to the top Ceneco post.

In a press conference Thursday, Pondevilla said he will also work on the eradication of corruption in the electric cooperative, particularly in the bidding process.

Ceneco, he said, will be transparent under his stewardship.

He said bidding process will be open even to the media as well as consumers’ group representative.

Pondevilla said he will attain the PHP1 decrease by reducing generation cost.

For one, instead of the 40-megawatt (MW) power supply that is projected to be purchased, it will be reduced to 20MW as there is ample supply.

What is important is that there is a plan to determine how much supply is needed to avoid “over contracting.”

Pondevilla said he was appointed to the post after the NEA issued a removal order against Ceneco GM Sulpicio Lagarde who has been on leave for three years.

He also said that Lagarde has filed a motion for reconsideration against his (Lagarde) removal.

He added that he will initiate a lot of changes in the power utility firm to improve services to the consumers.