Monday, October 08, 2007 'It's Guillem, not me who rejected PNOC offer' By Gil Alfredo B. Severino
FINALLY, Central Negros Electric Cooperative (Ceneco) President Roberto "Bobby" Montelibano said it is former president Ed Guillem and not him who rejected the offer of the Philippine National Oil Company-Energy Development Corporation (PNOC-EDC) to supply power to some part of Ceneco areas of coverage.
Montelibano made this clarification by also presenting a letter dated January 18, 2006 signed by Guillem to PNOC-EDC President Paul Aquino.
Guillem's letter to PNOC-EDC stated, among others that after the termination of Ceneco contract with the National Power Corp. (Napocor) and when Ceneco increases its capacity, "We will inform you accordingly and discuss with you your proposal to supply the portion of the energy needs of Ceneco."
"Clearly, the letter stated that it was then president Guillem who rejected PNOC offer until after December 31, 2007," Montelibano added.
"It was not me who rejected PNOC-EDC. Let us be cleared on this," Montelibano said.
Meanwhile, Montelibano announced that by next week, a team of science experts from the University of the Philippines (UP) will be arriving in Bacolod to extensively discuss among other things on various energy requirements of the country and various energy sources available.
"By all means, let us listen to the experts' advice," he added.
On the other hand, after a two-week official trip in Manila, Montelibano reported to his subordinates in the coop the series of meetings conducted with various energy related government agencies, Senate and power sellers.
Montelibano's meetings with various government officials, was in preparation for the forthcoming Ceneco general assembly.
But details of which cannot be divulged to the media yet.
Montelibano said he had met John Siddal who currently president of the British firm, Biofuel Resources Consultancy Services, Inc. (BRCSI).
And BRCSI is interested in converting Jathropa (kasla) into bioenergy fuel.
That's why Siddal is here in the country right now to conduct a survey on the Philippines' capacity for mass production, he said.
"I have also announced earlier that Cebu-based Philbio's general manager Ricky Beltran is bound to finish his survey as to the garbage volume of Bacolod and Negros. In two years time, Philbio will operate and has an exclusive commitment to Ceneco. We will announce through the media their report as soon as it will be submitted to us," Montelibano added.
