The National Electrification Administration has directed Central Negros Electric Cooperative to suspend the plebiscite on its joint venture agreement with Primelectic Holdings Inc. for a period not exceeding 60 days while it verifies its list of voters.
The plebiscite is being held for CENECO member-consumer-owners (MCOs) to vote for the approval or denial of the JVA.
Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez on Monday said he and the mayors of the five other areas within the franchise coverage of CENECO were seeking a temporary suspension of the plebiscite that was set July 8 and 9 so NEA could verify its list of voters.
CENECO in an advisory Wednesday, July 5, said the plebiscite on June 8 and 9 is suspended until further notice in compliance with the NEA directive.
NEA Administrator Antonio Mariano Almeda, in a memorandum issued Wednesday, said NEA has no interest in whether the JVA is approved or disapproved.
“It is however concerned with the protection of the rights of CENECO’s MCOs in that their votes are properly accounted for, and that the legitimate processes wherein they exercise these rights are protected,” he said.
“Thus, to ensure that the MCO’s rights are not disenfranchised and whatever result may arise from the plebiscite is indeed a true reflection of their collective will, the voters list for the plebiscite must indeed be verified, purged of ineligible voters, and that the names of those eligible to vote be included,” he added.
He said the NEA, acting on the request of the mayors, shall verify and confirm, with the direct participation of its designated personnel, the accuracy of the plebiscite’s voters list to ensure that only those eligible to vote are included.
It will also secure any and all systems, protocols, and/or procedures used to carry out the plebiscite, to ensure that they conform to the verified and confirmed voters list to be vetted by the NEA, he added.
The request for the suspension of the plebiscite was granted to allow such processes to be implemented, the NEA administrator said.
Concerned NEA personnel and CENECO should submit periodic progress reports on the accomplishments of his directives, Almeda said.
NEA has no reason to deviate from the mayor’s recommendation for the suspension of the plebiscite considering that they are in the best position to do so given their resources and on-the-ground information, and direct contact with their constituents who are member consumers of CENECO, he said.
NEA agrees with the mayors, who in their letter, asked for a review of the voter’s list “to ensure that this plebiscite reflects the real choice of the bonafide member consumers of CENECO, to properly decide the fate of the JVA, whether it is approved or disapproved”, Almeda added.
The mayors who signed the letter requesting for the suspension of the plebiscite aside from Benitez were Nicholas Yulo of Bago City, Neil Lizares – Talisay City, Joedith Gallego – Silay City, Gerry Rojas – Murcia, and Marxlen dela Cruz- Salvador Benedicto.
“Much weight is likewise given to the attempted undue ‘takeover’ of CENECO and the public demonstration outside of the NEA building,” Almeda said.
Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said the plebiscite on the JVA is very important because it will decide the fate of Ceneco.
It is good that the NEA granted the postponement, he said.*