By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga
Local advocacy group Power Watch Negros (PWN) reiterated its call to the National Electrification Administration to conduct a performance and technical audit on Central Negros Electric Cooperative (Ceneco), amid allegations of corruption and mismanagement within the local power cooperative.
In a statement made by PWN secretary-general Wennie Sancho, he said in order to eliminate corruption and mismanagement, the books of Ceneco should be opened for comprehensive audit to erase the public perception that they are artificially inflating prices for electricity rates.
Sancho said a complete overhaul of Ceneco’s management, particularly its finance division, should be performed, pointing out that managers, supervisors and confidential employees are allegedly receiving exorbitant salaries, and “fat” bonuses and allowances.
“The rank-and-file have substantial wages and benefits that an ordinary worker can only dream of,” Sancho said.
He also claimed Ceneco officials are using the power cooperative as a “gold mine,” at the expense of the consumers and this could be one of the reasons why electricity rates remain high.
“The service of bringing appropriate load requirements to every household, industry and commercial establishment is the function of Ceneco,” Sancho said.
“Thus, reliability, security and affordability are highly demanded,” he added.
The PWN secretary-general also pointed out some nagging inquiries to the power cooperative, such as the high electricity cost its consumers are paying that is not worth it, the arrears in power supply purchases, and Ceneco’s efficiency with regards to providing affordable and reliable electric service to the consumers.
It also includes systems loss through alleged theft and pilferage, Sancho said.
The power cooperative’s total energy sales in 2017 range from 11.06 to 12.72 percent, and incurred the most megawatt per hour losses, amounting to nearly 100,000 in a year, he said.
“The system losses amounted to around nine percent of the total energy bill for the consumers. Thus, it is essential to mitigate these losses,” he added./DGB, WDJ