BY CHRYSEE G. SAMILLANO
The members of the Board of the Central Negros Electric Cooperative passed a resolution rescinding the memorandum of understanding between Ceneco and Power Watch Negros Advocates Inc. (PWNA), and pushing for the creation of a consultative body that will tackle issues involving the power utility firm.
Ceneco acting general manager Danny Pondevilla said the MOU had already been approved by the Board sometime in February or March, and was scheduled for signing in April.
However, the newly elected directors of the Ceneco Board, namely, Fr. Ernie Larida, Eugene Velasco, and Antonino Panique requested for the suspension of the signing pending clarification of some issues with PNWA concerning the intention of the MOU, he said, adding that they are not opposing it.
Pondevilla said the Board believes that the act of the PWNA advocates of tearing up copies of the MOU during a press conference due to the suspension of its signing indicates that the power advocates are no longer interested to pursue the contract with Ceneco.
Earlier, members of the PWNA, led by Wennie Sancho and former Ceneco Board vice president Roy Cordova, tore up copies of the MOU saying they felt insulted after having been made to wait long enough for its signing.
Pondevilla said Larida was infected with Covid and was hospitalized. He wanted to have a dialog after he had recovered but Sancho had already called for a press conference, he added.
But Sancho is very much welcome to be part of the consultative body that Ceneco is creating, Pondevilla said.
The MOU being proposed by PWNA also pushed for the creation of an advisory council that will thresh out issues involving Ceneco. They welcome its intention since it is within the program towards transparency of Ceneco, he said.
They are still open to a dialog with PWNA, Pondevilla said.
He said the consultative body that Ceneco is creating will be composed of representatives from different consumers’ group and sectors so that if there are issues to be discussed concerning the power utility firm, they could seek its recommendation or opinion.*
