Digicast Negros

Albee eyes class suit vs. Ceneco for fluctuating power damages

Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez at his press conference on Monday, May 15.*

Mayor Alfredo Abelardo “Albee” Benitez said on Monday, May 15, that he is eyeing the filing of a class suit against Central Negros Electric Cooperative (CENECO) for its fluctuating and frequent power interruptions that are destroying appliances of Bacolod residents.

Under Republic Act 9136, or the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001, CENECO must be consistent with the Distribution Code that requires it to distribute quality electric power in a safe and efficient manner with a high degree of reliability, Benitez said at his weekly press conference.

Article 2176 of the Civil Code also states “that whoever by act or omission causes damage to another, there being fault or negligence, is obliged to pay for the damage done,” he also pointed out.

“My understanding is CENECO should have a protection system so when power fluctuates it should not affect supply to consumers,” Benitez said.

They should have that equipment in place to ensure the protection of consumers, he stressed.

“If ever there is liability on their part I don’t mind organizing a class action suit,” he said.

Benitez said the fluctuating power recently destroyed his new air conditioner and he is sure other consumers have had similar experiences.

CENECO acting general manager Arnel Lapore said it was reported during a recent hearing at the House of Representatives that the culprit of the fluctuating power also known as frequency disturbances is the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP).

Lapore said the devices in CENECO’s distribution lines cannot control the fluctuations caused by the grid, pointing out that all the electric cooperatives were affected by the NGCP’s frequency disturbances.

The fluctuation is also caused by the sudden surge of power from solar farms, he said.

“It should be the NGCP that should put up a device to accommodate all these changes in technology,” he said.

Lapore advised consumers to attach valuable appliances to automatic voltage regulators (AVRs) to protect them.

He said a dialog with all the representatives of local governments, business and consumers groups, CENECO and NGCP would be good so the problem can be addressed.

CENECO cannot anticipate the power fluctuations caused by NGCP, he said.

But he will also discuss with the CENECO engineers what measures they can employ to try to mitigate the impact of the fluctuations, Lapore added.

Meanwhile, the mayor said he is waiting for MORE Power to make its formal presentation on its proposed joint venture agreement with Central Negros Occidental to improve power services.*

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