• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Diocese of San Carlos in Negros Occidental has issued a pastoral letter calling for a careful study and discernment on the reported discussions regarding the proposed joint venture agreement (JVA) between the Negros Electric and Power Corp. (NEPC) and the Northern Negros Electric Cooperative (Noneco).
Bishop Gerardo Alminaza said he considers it as “a pastoral duty to help guide the faithful and the broader public in approaching the issue, not with haste or emotion, but with prudence, wisdom, and a sincere concern for the common good”.
“Decisions that determine its ownership, management and accessibility must never be made hastily, nor be driven solely by business or political interests,” he added.
Acting Noneco general manager Wilbe Bilbao on Monday, Oct. 13, confirmed they received a “letter of intent” from NEPC, also known as Negros Power, last month.
He said such intention was not yet discussed or deliberated by the board of directors, or communicated with the National Electrification Administration.
Bilbao said the Noneco management is presently focusing on how to improve its services to the consumer-members.
Noneco covers the areas from E.B. Magalona to San Carlos City.
Alminaza said he and the people ask if privatization truly is the only best solution to the challenges faced by Noneco.
He also asked “if all possible ways have been exhausted to strengthen and reform the cooperative system from within, and what will be its long term effects on electricity rates, workers’ job security, consumer participation and local accountability”.
“We strongly urge open, honest, and inclusive dialogue among all stakeholders- cooperative members, local government officials, consumer groups, civil society and the Church,” the bishop said.
During the previous series of long power outages in northern Negros, Noneco had linked up with the substation of Negros Power in Silay City to provide electricity to thousands of its member-consumers.
Negros Power entered into a JVA with Central Negros Electric Cooperative in 2023 and took over its operations last year after obtaining a franchise to manage and operate the electricity distribution system in the cities of Bacolod, Bago, Talisay, and Silay, as well as the municipalities of Murcia and Don Salvador Benedicto. | GB
