PWNA Secretary-General Wennie Sancho*
Power Watch Negros Advocates Inc. (PWNA) is set to launch its Consumer Education and Awareness Program (CEAP) to empower electricity consumers across Northern Negros.
The initiative, scheduled to begin after Sept. 15, will include a series of free seminars and fora in areas covered by the Northern Negros Electric Cooperative (NONECO), from E.B. Magalona to San Carlos City.
PWNA Secretary-General Wennie Sancho, who will serve as program coordinator, said CEAP aims to inform consumers about their rights and responsibilities, promote energy efficiency, and advocate transparency in power rate setting.
“Through CEAP, we want to empower consumers with knowledge so they can demand better services, practice energy efficiency, and have a voice in decisions that impact their daily lives,” Sancho said.
He will be assisted by Engr. Ramon Gumban, head of CEAP’s technical working group.
The program will also engage distribution utilities, government agencies, consumer organizations, and other power industry stakeholders.
Meanwhile, PWNA officers noted the success of Negros Electric and Power Corp. (Negros Power) in upgrading services in Central Negros through its joint venture with CENECO.
Negros Power invested P1.2 billion in its first year, rehabilitating substations and distribution networks, cutting system losses nearly in half, lowering rates, and electrifying more than 30 sitios.
Sancho said NONECO could explore similar reforms to reduce outages and improve service quality.
Schedules and venues for CEAP activities will be announced soon, he said.*