The National Union of Workers in the Power Industry (Power-Sentro) is opposing the joint venture agreement between MORE Power and Central Negros Electric Cooperative, and has suggested that CENECO’s management instead focus on improving the reliability and quality of its service.
The group, in a press statement, said that the proposed joint venture with MORE Power will hardly solve the issue of power interruptions rooted in the lack of generating capacity.
“CENECO should be protected from needless conflict among its constituents and should be shielded from higher debt, higher power rates, and violations of consumers’ rights. CENECO should be protected from the proposed joint venture with MORE Power,” the statement said.
Power-Sentro is a coalition of unions and labor groups in the power industry, which includes two unions from CENECO – the Responsible Supervising and Confidential Union of Employees (RESCUE), and Ceneco Union of Rational Employees (CURE).
RESCUE President Leonardo Guilaran told DIGICAST NEGROS the planned joint venture will hurt not just the member-consumers but also CENECO employees.
Guilaran also said that rural communities that are yet to be energized will not be covered if the joint venture pushes through, leaving many areas in the vicinity of CENECO with no electricity.
Apart from unenergized communities, the joint venture could lead to the termination of CENECO employees who will then be hired only as contractual employees, he said.
Guilaran said that there are about 400 CENECO employees that will be affected by this plan.
“Instead of pushing for the joint venture, CENECO should focus on improving the cooperative’s reliability and pursue those local government units who have not paid CENECO yet with their electric bills,” he said.*