Bayan Negros strongly denounced the management and board of Central Negros Electric Cooperative (CENECO) for their sudden decision to sign a Joint Venture Agreement (JVA) with Primelectric Holdings Inc., “completely disregarding the concerns of consumers”.
Bayan Negros, in a statement issued Saturday, June 3, said the announcement of the signing on Saturday morning was only made public through the media close to midnight Friday, leaving consumers completely blindsided.
Noli Rosales, Bayan Negros spokesperson, said he strongly condemns what he called an undemocratic maneuver.
“Like thieves in the night, the board of directors and management of CENECO have blindsided and betrayed the consumers with their devious schemes. Shame to them for blatantly neglecting the interests of the people they are supposed to serve”, he said.
The recent incident during the Annual General Membership Assembly (AGMA) of CENECO on May 24 further exposes the lack of transparency surrounding the JVA, Bayan Negros said.
The board of directors and management attempted to discretely introduce the JVA, but concerned consumers registered their opposition and blocked their covert agenda. This underhanded approach raises serious questions about the intentions of those in power, it said.
Bayan Negros warns against the rushed and non-inclusive plebiscite scheduled for June 24 and 25, and July 1 and 2. This plebiscite appears to be a mere formality, lacking genuine consultation and meaningful dialog, it added.
Roel Castro, Primelectric Holdings Inc. president and CEO, claims that a majority vote from members in good standing is required for approval, Bayan said.
“To address this gap, Primelectric Holdings Inc. manufactured consent by coaxing barangay officials on their side. However, without the proper engagement in the grassroots, this process lacks legitimacy and only exposes its true undemocratic nature”, Bayan said.
“Supporting this partnership without weighing the long-term implications is deeply concerning. We implore these barangay officials to reflect on the wider ramifications and prioritize the collective interests of the community over immediate and personal gains,” Rosales says.
Castro’s promise of substantial investments in the rehabilitation and modernization of the electric power distribution system may sound appealing on the surface. Still, it cannot overshadow the fact that this move essentially leads to the privatization of CENECO, Bayan said.
Bayan Negros said that when essential services like electricity are placed in the hands of profit-seeking entities, the interests of the people are often sacrificed on the altar of corporate greed.
Consumers face the risk of skyrocketing electricity prices, reduced accountability, and compromised quality of service. This is a perennial problem in the Philippines as we lack national industries, and thus prone to the incursions of local and foreign profit-interests on basic services and utilities, it added.
“The fight is not yet over. The voice of the consumers is decisive. Through collective action, we can still hold the management and board of directors accountable for being traitorous to the interests of the consumers. Now is the time for the thousands of member-consumers to unite and fight back,” Rosales said.*