Mayor shows color, taunts anti-JVA groups

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD City – Mayor Alfredo Benitez has made clear his stand on the proposed Joint Venture Agreement (JVA) between Central Negros Electric  Cooperative (Ceneco) and PrimeElectric Holdings Inc. of billionaire Enrique Razon.

Saying that he sees hope in JVA’s promises, Benitez also blasted groups who thumbed down the JVA.

“Ang ga ‘no’, ano gid ang ila nakulbaan? Ano pa ang gina pangita ta?” he added.

(To those saying no, what are you afraid of? What are you looking for?)

Oppositors claimed that the JVA will result in higher distribution rates for Ceneco consumers once the private firm takes over.

Benitez also said he is asking the people of Bacolod to vote yes to the JVA during the plebiscite.

The Ceneco-PrimeElectric JVA is up for plebiscite starting tomorrow, June 24 to June 25, and on July 1 to 2.

Majority or more than half of the 207,000 Ceneco consumers must vote yes so that the JVA can carry on.

In a statement, Benitez said he believes that JVA will bring better services to  Ceneco consumers.

Up until Monday, the mayor has been playing coy on his stand on the JVA saying he has three conditions that must be met:

-lower the electricity rates;

-assure 24/7 power supply; and

-convert to renewable power.

Benitez said his views became clearer when he was briefed by executives of PrimeElectric, which is a sister company of Iloilo City distributor MORE Power.

He said he is satisfied with the presentation of the JVA as the three conditions he set were substantially answered.

When asked if he is for the JVA,  Benitez said “I think so. Bal-an mo kadugay na ni. If you ask me what we have now, ang Ceneco magtawag ko sa ila kadugay mag sabat. Mga poste naton ga takilid na, indi pa pagkay-ohon. Mapatakod ka sang metro mo pila ka bulan antes matakdan. All of these have boiled up.”

(I think so. This has been taking so long. If you ask me what we have now, Ceneco takes too much time before answering our calls. Our poles are now learning yet they will not fix them. If you want your meter installed, it will take months. All of these have boiled up.)

Despite the possible fallout, Benitez said he must make clear his stand on the JVA issue.

“I am aware that the JVA has triggered a public discussion with its pros and cons. Hence, I will not shy away from making a stand on any issue, especially on ones that have tremendous impact on the development of the City,” he said.

In a statement, Benitez said PrimeElectric convinced him that it can lower power rates by reducing systems loss or electricity lost to technical reasons and pilferage. He cited the performance of MORE Power in Iloilo City in reducing systems loss that also impacted power rates.

The mayor also believes that the P2-billion infusion into the city’s distribution system rehabilitation will redound in a more stable power supply under the JVA.

“In order for us to have a 24/7 Power Supply, infrastructure, upgrading and development are needed. PrimeElectric committed to infusing P2 billion into its 5-year development plan. This is something that is concrete and makes sense.”

To groups who fear that the private firm will control the management of the joint venture, Benitez said he was assured that the board composition will avoid monopoly by PrimeElectric and its subsidiary Negros Electric and Power Corp. (NEPC)

“NEPC will be a corporation vested with public interest and there will be a mandatory three (3) independent directors at the Board of Directors, plus the two (2) Board of Directors who will be coming from Ceneco regardless of its share ownership. The law (The Revised Corporation Code) and the JVA has safety nets to ensure that there will be no monopoly in its Board Membership by having at least five (5) Board of Directors in an eleven (11) seat Board of Directors not belonging to the majority shareholder,” he added.

As to the clamors of Ceneco workers who fear they will lose their jobs, the mayor said he was assured that “they will not be neglected as due preference is being given to them in the hiring of employees under the JVA.”