By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The National Electrification Administration (NEA) has ordered the 30-day suspension of several former and incumbent officials of the Central Negros Electric Cooperative (Ceneco).

Among those ordered suspended are Ceneco board of directors Jojit Yap, Robert Javellana, Martha Joyce Cuenca, Ernie Larida, Antonio Panique, Eugene Velasco, and former NEA project supervisor and acting general manager Atty. Dan Pondevilla.

According to the NEA’s decision dated May 30, 2022, the said officials, both former and incumbent, were found guilty of simple neglect of duty in connection to last year’s bidding for a 20-megawatt base load power supply requirement for Ceneco from 2021 to 2031.

The complaint was filed by Power Watch Negros secretary-general Wennie Sancho on July 5, 2021.

The complaint includes grave misconduct, gross neglect, dishonesty, gross insubordination, conduct prejudicial to the interest of the electric cooperative and its member-consumers, and willful violation/non-compliance to NEA issuance, memoranda, and other rules and regulations.

The complaint stemmed over the board’s signing of a one-year extension of the power supply agreement from power distribution utility Kepco Salcon Power Corporation (KSPC).

In a statement released by Sancho, he said the decision is a victory for the 210,861 consumers in the franchise area of Ceneco.

“Our victory may not be substantial compared to our sacrifices and dangerous risks taken, but with determination and indomitable spirit we had sent a message loud and clear, we shall fight even against political giants, and cyclops of the power industry, we shall sustain the struggle and we had won the initial battle,” Sancho said./DGB, WDJ