SABOTAGE?: Inquiry into Ceneco service disruptions sought

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD CITY – Power Watch Secretary-General Wennie Sancho announced plans to request an investigation by Central Negros Electric Cooperative (Ceneco) into the recent three-hour brownout affecting the city.

Sancho suspects internal sabotage might be undermining Ceneco’s operations.

He is set to file a complaint against certain Ceneco employees suspected of engaging in illicit activities leading to power outages on March 26 and April 11 in Bacolod City.

Sancho will ask Atty. Arnel Lapore, Acting General Manager of Ceneco, to thoroughly investigate the lengthy outages, which have caused significant inconvenience, anger, and sleep disruption for consumers.

Furthermore, Power Watch Negros is urging the National Electrification Administration (NEA) to simultaneously probe the April 11, 2024, brownout.

There are reports of an Optical Ground Wire being deliberately “disconnected” or cut, resulting in an extensive blackout of nearly four hours.

“We aim to determine whether the disconnection or cutting of the optical ground wire was intentional or the outcome of ‘force majeure’,” Sancho explained.

He stressed that severing such a cable would typically require tools like bolt cutters. If it’s confirmed that Ceneco linemen intended to disrupt operations, it would represent a severe crime against public welfare.

“As member-consumer-owners of Ceneco, we’re entitled to timely and accurate information about issues affecting our electric service,” Sancho asserted.

He strongly suggested that linemen implicated in the incident should step down from duties in the affected area to prevent any potential cover-up.

An exhaustive investigation is crucial to pinpoint the root causes of these troubling brownouts, particularly those that occur at midnight or in the early morning hours.

Sancho also criticized the Cooperative Union of Rural Electrification (CURE) members for their disregard for consumer welfare, focusing solely on their right to strike, irrespective of its impact.

“If these allegations prove true, it’s a gross disservice to our community,” Sancho declared.