TO SHED light especially regarding the power rates of the Central Negros Electric Cooperative (Ceneco), a congressional inquiry will be conducted on Tuesday next week, November 29, 2022.

This was confirmed by Bacolod City Lone District Representative Greg Gasataya in a statement over the weekend, saying that he was informed of the schedule of the inquiry by Marinduque lone District Representative Lord Allan Jay Velasco.

Velasco currently chairs the House of Representatives' Committee on Energy.

With the impending congressional inquiry, Gasataya urges the consumers and energy advocates to support the move so they will know the answers to their queries regarding the electricity rates of Ceneco and other concerns including power outages.

Gasataya and Negros Occidental Third District Representative Francisco Benitez earlier authored House Bill 475, seeking the inquiry amidst the mounting complaints against the electric cooperative.

For his part, Ceneco general manager Ervin Stan Leo Ticar said that they are taking the inquiry positively as it will open opportunities for consumers to be aware of what causes the increases in the electricity rates.

“It is not just us who were invited for an inquiry, several electric cooperatives were also subjected to congressional inquiries because of the increase in their power rates,” Ticar said.

He said that they cannot control the power rates as it is dependent on the increase in the cost of fuel and coal, which is being used by the power suppliers of Ceneco.

“Electric cooperatives in the country are hopeless,” Ticar said as he maintained that they have nothing to hide.

The Ceneco official noted that they have a third-party observer during the bidding process for the purchase of power supply.

When asked about the worries that Ceneco will be privatized, he said that the franchise of the cooperative is until 2030 while its corporate life will be renewed this year.

The National Electrification Administration (NEA) during its Golden Digital Award this year has recognized various electric cooperatives in the country for “exemplary performance” in specific areas including Ceneco for having the Lowest Residential Rate Award in the Visayas.

Ceneco supplies electricity to the municipalities of Don Salvador Benedicto and Murcia as well as the cities of Bacolod, Bago, Silay and Talisay.