Monday, October 09, 2006 Power firm waives fees for change of account name
THE Benguet Electric Cooperative (Beneco) has given up fees covering applications for changes of names in its account roster to encourage consumers to help the utility update its membership list.
The waiver, effective for one year starting this month, was approved last month by the Beneco board led by Joel Alangsab, and as recommended by the policy committee composed of directors Ferdy Bayasen, Rimando Anguitay and Benny Bomogao.
Alangsab said only the P5 membership fee would be retained.
Totally waived were the change of name, inspection and certificate of membership fees. They were originally at P200, P200 and P30 but the change-of-name fee was eventually reduced to P50 in a previous move to encourage support in updating the membership roster.
Alangsab advised applicants to submit documents supporting the change of account name to avoid questions on their right to assume the membership of those who may have died or due to other valid reasons.
As posted on the Beneco offices, the death certificate of the deceased member is required, together with the marriage certificate if the account is to be transferred to the spouse, or in case of change from maiden to married name.
The surviving spouse should submit an affidavit of waiver if he or she decides to transfer the account name to any of his or her children.
If the property being served with electricity was purchased or donated, the deed of absolute sale or donation would be needed. As the case may be, other proofs that may be required include the extrajudicial settlement, agreement or contract of lease.
To facilitate the processing of documents, Bomogao has offered the services of his law office in providing free legal assistance to applicants. As proposed by director William Mendoza, the certification of a barangay chairman in remote areas would be recognized in the absence of a lawyer to notarize affidavits.
Aside from posting the new policy, Beneco would include the same in its pre-membership seminars and campaign for membership, as recommended by director Robert Canuto.
Canuto said many of the account names needing updating involve original members of the cooperative who had since died but whose accounts were not transferred to heirs due in part to the fees.
For Tuba, director Zaldy Guileng asked the management to furnish him a list of members in his district who had died, together with their heirs, starting in Tadiangan where he is the barangay chairman. (EB)
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