CENTRAL Negros Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Ceneco) acting General Manager Arnel Lapore admitted Wednesday, April 26, that the firm is having financial hardship, which is why they offer some options to consumer-members to help it cope with the power demands.
Lapore said recent power interruptions could be due to overloaded lines and transformers, that's why they need to be replaced with new ones.
"There is something wrong with the system and the lines, and we have to address the clamor and complaints of the affected consumers," Lapore said.
Consumers have been complaining about the intermittent power, including the recent incident on Sunday, April 23, which was experienced in several service areas of Ceneco.
"We will have it checked, but we need capitalization for the replacement of lines and transformers. Insulators may have troubles also," Lapore said.
Meanwhile, Lapore revealed that one of the options they would propose for consumers was to support the proposed joint venture between Ceneco and MORE Power Corporation.
Lapore said the process is ongoing, after More Power made its presentation before the members of the Ceneco Board and department heads.
"At the end of the day, it's the member/consumers who will decide which options can attend to our power needs," Lapore said.
He also revealed that Ceneco officials will conduct an inspection and actual visit at the site of More Power in Iloilo for them to actually see and assess the operation and capacity of the company.
Also, consumer group Power Watch Negros has expressed support for the proposed JVA between Central Negros Electric Cooperative and MORE Power Corporation.
In his letter to Councilor Claudio Jesus Raymundo Puentevella, chairperson of the Bacolod City Council committee on energy and public utilities, Wennie Sancho, its secretary-general, said the fruition of the JVA between Ceneco and More Power Corp. will provide efficient services and an affordable and reliable power supply.
Sancho explained that the support of Power Watch Negros is grounded on the premise that power supply is vital to economic development, stressing that a stable, affordable, and reliable power supply will attract more investors, create more job opportunities, increase the worker’s purchasing power, pump prime the economy, and sustain the needs of the people.*