By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga
MORE Electric and Power Corporation (MORE Power) has vowed improved services and power reliability for consumers if the proposed joint venture agreement (JVA) with the Central Negros Electric Cooperative (Ceneco) takes place.
MORE Power President and chief executive officer Roel Castro questioned as to why there is negativity about privatization among some groups in Negros.
“In the first place, coops are private and they are regulated by the government in the same case as us. We are being regulated by the [Energy Regulatory Commission] and that’s government,” Castro said.
He added that if the JVA takes place, the services will definitely improve.
“Unless you are happy with what Ceneco services are,” he said.
“I mean, if you have two to three brownouts a day. Happy with nobody answering your concerns. Happy that if you are disconnected, you get reconnected within three to four days. If you are with that, so be it,” he added.
Castro said if consumers want improvement, then the proposed JVA would be the best option.
“In Iloilo, before we came in, I had already made the commitment on Day 1, we were already investing in capital expenditures,” he said.
He added that to improve power services, you have to have good facilities and people.
Earlier this week, Castro gave a company presentation to Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson and Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer about the proposed JVA between MORE Power and Ceneco.
Lacson commented positively, saying he is confident that they would be at an advantage as MORE Power, with their experience in serving Iloilo City for more than three years, is competent at how to reduce the number of power interruptions and system losses in the service area, which will also lower power rates.
“Personally, I believe in the management of MORE Power,” Lacson said.
Meanwhile, Ferrer said he also backs the JVA, stating what is more advantageous to the consumers is the most important.
“With that presentation, if we are going to compare services and what is happening now in Ceneco, I will support the JVA,” Ferrer said./DGB, WDJ