AS A solution to numerous complaints on glitches of streetlights within the Baguio City, Benguet Electric Cooperative (Beneco) agrees to the privatization of streetlights.

A plan to privatize maintenance, repairs and operation of streetlights in the city would mean stable power, continuous lighting of the streets, and lesser power consumption, according to a Beneco official.

"Privatizing repairs operation and maintenance of the streetlights in the city would mean, lesser electric billing to the city at sinusuportahan po namin yan. Even the replacement of bulbs to led lights," Beneco general manager Gerardo Verzosa said.

Power consumption of streetlights in the city will be reduced to half if bulbs would be changed to light-emitting diode, which only consumes 15 percent of energy as compared to yellow bulb (58 lumens per watt) while producing 80 lumens (light) per watts.

"Hindi po kaya ng Beneco na gastusan lahat ng existing street lights, napaka mahal po nito. From the practical point of view, bakit naman po si Beneco ang gagastos para lang sa pagpapalit ng led lights sa street lights. Kung kanino ibibid out sila na ang bahala sa pagpapalit ng led lights," Verzosa said.

Presently, Beneco receives 60 to 70 percent of complaints due to defective streetlights.

“Actually 60 to 70 percent of the complaints dito sa opisina ay dahil sa street lights within the city. Ang sinasabi nila is because of minor glitches at hindi narin talaga gumagana yung ibang street lights,” Verzosa said.

Verzosa stressed the lighting and maintenance of the streetlights is a Beneco and local government unit collaboration.

“Ang agreement namin before with Baguio City is we will subsidize 20 burning hours a day for the street lights but they will be the one to do the repairs of those street lights,” Verzosa said.

Meanwhile, Baguio City Mayor Mauricio Domogan said the city already allocated P12 million for the privatization of streetlights.

Domogan ended the city will bid out the project to get the best deal for repairs and operation of the streetlights as well as lesser electrical bill.