By Paulo Loreto Lim

Following the postponement of the Central Negros Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Ceneco) referendum, following a conflict between the board and management of the utility co-op back in March, Ceneco President Arnel Lapore yesterday, during their Annual General Membership Assembly (AGMA), said the referendum would be held next week, on May 9.
“We will hold the same assembly and decide what direction we would like for Ceneco,” he said.
The referendum stems from a 2014 memorandum to all electric cooperatives nationwide, which poses the question to consumer-members if their co-op should operate as a non-stock, non-profit cooperative under the National Electrification Administration (NEA); a stock cooperative under the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA); or a stock corporation under the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Lapore initially wanted to conduct the referendum during AGMA, however, Ceneco General Manager Sulpicio Lagarde, Jr. believed combining the two events would be against the rules.
Meanwhile, Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia addressed the assembly, saying, “Ceneco will always be a partner of our city government.”
Bacolod Lone District Rep. Greg Gasataya, who served as guest speaker, addressed the referendum issue, pointing out, “We should not be content with having a better choice, the challenge is to have the best choice for Ceneco.”
Ceneco Finance Manager Chuchie Destriza also delivered her annual report, which found Ceneco earned a net income of P131.51 million between 2015 and 2016./WDJ