- CHERYL G. CRUZ
The Central Negros Electric Cooperative said Thursday it is ready to face the congressional inquiry on Nov. 29 over high power rates and frequent outages as per the House Resolution 475 of Bacolod Rep. Greg Gasataya.
“This move by Congress is a good way for Ceneco to present the reality of the electricity industry affected by hikes in petrol prices,” Ceneco acting general manager Ervin Stan Leo Ticar said in a statement. “Ceneco is ready for this inquiry, and hopes that the public will understand the issues related to the cooperative.”
Gasataya urged the House Committee on Energy to conduct an inquiry, in aid of legislation, “on the high power rates and frequent power interruptions in all serviceable areas of Ceneco.”
He noted that Mayor Alfredo Benitez launched an online complaints desk for power-related concerns Aug. 30, and “within 10 hours, 69.3 percent of the complaints were about the high cost of electricity, and among the top complaints were Ceneco’s unscheduled brownouts, the rise of day-long brownouts, and sudden power disruptions”.
Ceneco provides electrification for the Bacolod Metropolitan Area, among the fastest growing economies in the country, including Bacolod, a first class highly-urbanized city, and the most populous city in Western Visayas, the solon said.
He stressed that the delivery of adequate and reliable electrification is a necessity for the continued economic growth and development of Metro Bacolod, and the livelihood of its citizens./CGC
