NATIONAL consumer rights, energy advocacy, labor, and multi-sectoral groups trooped to the National Electrification Administration (NEA) office in Quezon City to protest against Primelectric Holdings’ joint venture agreement (JVA) with Central Negros Electric Cooperative (Ceneco) on Monday, July 3.
Several groups accompanied lawyer Luke Espiritu, legal counsel of Laban ng mga Mamamayan sa Monopolyo at Pribatisasyon (LAMP), to file resolutions from the Special Meeting of Members manifesting the following: (1) the removal of all current CENECO Board of Directors due to betrayal of duties, (2) the creation of an Interim Board of Directors, and (3) the junking of the JVA and its plebiscites.
“The JVA plebiscites have moved forward since the CENECO takeover last June 23, as the now-defunct BOD has continued to act without legitimate authority, blatantly dismissing the unanimous decision of its MCOs, and acting as if they’re still in charge,” said Grid Alila, convenor of Konsyumer Negros.
“This just shows that they have no respect for the concerns of their MCOs, and are already treating the cooperative as a private entity where only their interests and decisions matter,” Alila added.
After two days of the supposed four-day plebiscite, only 28% of the total eligible number of voters were able to cast their votes, unable to reach the 50% plus one requirement for decisive action, a statement from the group said.
“The appeal for an extension of the voting period is highly suspicious,” said Ernie Pineda, president of the MCO Federation.
“This is a mere ploy to get more time to influence a bigger turnout for ‘yes’ votes, especially through widespread political endorsements who only parry the interests of the people for their own gain but have never shown interest in addressing real concerns of consumers,” he added.* (PR)