Beneco brass chides salary hike critics

Thursday, May 12, 2011

THE management of the Benguet Electric Cooperative (Beneco) chided its critics who are opposing the controversial salary increase for department heads.

In a press conference, Beneco legal counsel Delmar Cariño said the management welcomes and respects criticisms but critics should have brought the issues raised to the National Electrification Administration, the government agency regulating the operation of electric cooperatives.

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But General Manager Gerardo Verzosa expressed disappointment against critics, whom he says are lopsided.

He said consumer advocate, National Association of Electricity Consumers for Reforms, Inc. (Nasecore), has been criticizing Beneco alone but it allegedly fails or refuses to see how other utility companies work.

Verzosa also lamented that critics have failed to see their efficient service, leading to 99 percent collection efficiency, high rate of electrification in the rural areas and a lower cost of operation but with high sales rate and an A+ rating by the Energy Regulatory Commission.

Verzosa said there should be a basis for criticizing them. He also lamented the way they were treated at the City Council.

In the series of appearances before the Council, he said Beneco was never given a chance to explain a technical matter. He said their responses have also been limited.

Verzosa and other Beneco officials reiterate that the proposal for an increase is the product of studies and suggestions by consultants in the power industry.

“Hindi ito biglaan lang,” Verzosa said, adding increasing the salary of its managers is part of the cooperative’s programs on investing in human resources.

He added that management is preparing for a transition. He said in the event he retires, the current group of department heads as well as rank and file employees have to have competent salaries to avoid an exodus of human resources.

“We have to keep [our] trained and qualified people intact. If they leave, it could lead to a deterioration of service.”

Cariño on the other hand said, coupled with the increase is a restructuring of the cooperative’s table of organization.
“It is a whole book that will be reviewed by the NEA, not just the resolution approved by the Board,” Carino said reiterating there will be no power rate increase as alleged.

He also explained the salary standardization law imposed on government offices should not be compared to the salaries of those in the power industry.