EMPLOYEES of the Central Negros Electric Cooperative (Ceneco) observed the “Black Valentine” Thursday, February 14, as the move to privatize power cooperatives by the Department of Energy (DOE) looms.
The protest was held simultaneously with 20 other electric cooperatives all over the country.
Lolita Jaime, Ceneco institutional services division manager, said the “Black Valentine” rally is intended to magnify the protest of the electric cooperative over the “discriminatory treatment” of DOE Secretary Alfonso Cusi towards the electric cooperatives by proposing the cancellation or revocation of the franchise of the 17 electric cooperatives.
Jaime claimed this will eventually lead to a precedence of revocation of other electric coops and be evaded by the private businessmen to heighten the dismay of the member-consumer-owners (MCOs) against Cusi who is supposed to be the father and defender of the electric coops and electrification program but turned to be the opposite to increase the awareness of the MCOs and the public about the hostile action of Cusi against the electric coops by giving more favor and courtesy to the private businessmen who are interested over the operation of the electric cooperatives and it will re-enforce the opposition of the electric coops against the approval of Congress to the House Bill 8179 which is now under deliberation at the Senate.
Cusi on January 30 has recalled and revoked the recommendation for cancellation of the franchise of 17 ailing electric cooperatives because of the protest lead by the Philippine Rural Electric Cooperative Association.
He stated in his letter to House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo that the DOE is not backing down in its campaign against underperforming, financially and technically distressed electric cooperatives and that they will conduct further evaluation and assessment on the status and performance of the electric coops.
Jaime said that they joined the protest against Cusi's action despite that Ceneco is not among the 17 ailing electric coops because they want to prevent any move for privatization for the protection of the consumers.
So far, no private entity has signified its interest to take over Ceneco, she added.
Ceneco's franchise will expire in six years and so far, it aims to maintain as best electric cooperative with Triple A Category.
"Despite the challenges, Ceneco maintains its best performance," Jaime added.