The National Association of General Managers of Electric Cooperatives in the Philippines recently elected its new set of officers, and Central Negros Electric Cooperative acting general manager, Atty. Danny Pondevilla, was voted as the vice president for the Visayas.
Pondevilla said he is determined to uphold transparency and professionalism in leading Ceneco, despite being the concurrent general manager of the Northern Negros Electric Cooperative.
As acting GM of Ceneco, Pondevilla manages its day-to-day operations to ensure the efficient delivery of services to the member-consumer-owners or MCOs. He also performs other tasks/duties assigned or directed by the National Electrification Administration to ensure operational efficiency and to work with the members of the Board of Directors and the management towards the service and protection of the rights and interests of the MCOs.
Pondevilla is addressing the many concerns, perennial issues, and problems hounding the power cooperative by upholding transparency in communication, bidding, and project implementation, including policies on maintenance works, among others.
As what he had promised when he assumed the position, he wants to lead by example and instil such work attitude to his fellow officials and employees.
He wants to be responsive to the concerns of the power consumers and just recently attained a reduction in electricity rate by P1 for the month of June.
GM DAN AT A GLANCE
Atty. Danny Pondevilla, fondly known as “GM Dan”, is one superb general manager.
He is an achiever. He finished his undergraduate studies on AB Political Science at 21, and passed the Bar and became a lawyer at 25.
GM Dan is, by far, known as the youngest legal officer of the Talisay City government at 27.
In 2013, he entered the realm of electric cooperatives. He is currently the manager of two electric cooperatives in the Negros Island. He is the GM of Ceneco and a project manager of the NEA, and the GM of Noneco.
He is an inspiration to both electric coops.
Aside from being a competitive and a highly-respected general manager, he continues to inspire his subordinates on what he does after work. He loves to go mountain-viewing. He loves biking, and is also a sports car enthusiast. He believes there is need to balance things in life through work and play, and doing things that one loves.
HANDLING PRESSURE
“It is just acceptance of the challenge and I was able to handle the pressure because I really believed that when you are placed in a position, it is not your own plan but it’s God’s plan. And if it’s God’s plan, most likely it will not only benefit some but will be for the good of all,” Pondevilla said.
While it is very taxing to serve two electric coops, it’s just a matter of time management. “The secret there is how you manage the calendar for the day, handling issues and problems.”
For his subordinates, GM Dan is a democratic type of a leader because he doesn’t only listen to concerns and problems but also does something to immediately address these concerns. He is one who listens to majority of employees. He is there to listen and to act.
MANAGING 2 POWER COOPS
While being a GM is inspiring, a GM of an electric coop “widens my dream to help the poor where I came from,” Pondevilla said.
“I help not only a few individuals, but in the form of electrification and also in providing livelihood. A challenge to help the economy and to try to find ways to ensure reliable electricity and encourage investors – all these inspire me,” he added.
He plans a massive improvement in the services of Ceneco.
“I don’t want people to doubt how we do our operations in Ceneco by upholding transparency and professionalism. I was working with prominent politicians before as their legal consultant or legal officer, but when it comes to matters that concern my current job in the power cooperative, I will not hesitate to act justly and fairly. It is my work ethic that my loyalty belongs to my present work, regardless of my past endeavors and alliances.” – NWI
