By Mae Singuay
Two power groups in Negros Occidental have showed their support to the proposed joint venture agreement (JVA) between Central Negros Electric Cooperative (Ceneco) and Ignite Power.
Power Watch Negros Advocates (PWNA) and Utilities Consumers Advocates for Reform (UCARE) signed a covenant of solidarity at the Negros Press Club Building in Bacolod City yesterday.
PWNA secretary general Wennie Sancho said the signed covenant was their declaration of support for Ceneco-Ignite JVA.
Ignite Power is a subsidiary of MORE Electric and Power Corporation.
However, Sancho appealed to the proponents of the JVA to expedite the process, as he signified to attend Ignite Power’s presentation to the Sangguniang Panlungsod Committee on Energy on June 5.
“Dali-on nila. Wala kita kabalo, the longer [we wait] the longer we suffer,” he said.
The groups declared the covenant has manifested their unequivocal support for the JVA, urging the two electric cooperatives to also expedite the process.
“There is an urgent call for the implementation of the JVA sooner or later,” the covenant said.
They confirmed that the JVA is now a necessity, considering the recent power disturbance in Western Visayas and the issuance of a yellow alert on the Visayas grid.
“Ceneco consumers and representatives of the multi-sectoral groups in Negros Occidental gathered in the name and authority of the consumers,” the covenant read.
As a manifestation of their commitment, the groups pledged to work for the ratification of the JVA by the consumers in a referendum.
The groups cited that for decades, there was a persistent public outcry against Ceneco’s dismal failure to provide affordable, reliable and efficient power supply for its consumers.
“Let alone the deluge of complaints from angry consumers on the inconvenience brought about by power outages and massive blackouts,” the groups said./MS, WDJ