By Mae Singuay
A majority of Central Negros Electric Cooperative’s member-consumer-owners (MCOs) voted “yes” on the first two days of the plebiscite for joint venture agreement (JVA) ratification entered by the Central Negros Electric Cooperative (Ceneco) and Primelectric Holdings, Inc./Negros Electric Power Corporation.
Ceneco conducted the ongoing referendum for the JVA, which started on June 24 and 25; and another on July 1, 2, 8, and 9.
Data from the Overall Plebiscite Committee showed there were 192,188 total MCOs in the cooperative, of which, 27,741 voted last weekend.
At least 78 percent, or 21,674 MCOs, voted “yes,” while 22 percent, equivalent to 6,067, voted “no.”
During the plebiscite’s first day on June 24, the total turnout was 17,335, of which, 13,587 voted “yes” and 3,748 for “no.”
On the following day, the total running turnout was 10,406. Of the number, 8,087 voted “yes” and 2,319 for “no.”
Ceneco and Primelectric Holdings executed the JVA to improve power distribution services in the cooperative’s franchise areas in capital Bacolod City, and Negros Occidental cities of Bago, Talisay and Silay, and the municipalities of Murcia and Don Salvador Benedicto.
One of the member-consumers, Yunube Mangao of Bacolod’s Barangay Mansilingan, disclosed she voted “yes” to the JVA because she believed that under the agreement, a better program will be implemented for the betterment of the Negrenses.
Meanwhile, Michael Angelo Viscara, also of Barangay Mansilingan, said he is in favor of the JVA as this will lessen brownouts, citing the electric wires at his nearby church explode every time they experience power interruptions.
They also encouraged other Ceneco MCOs to vote “yes” to JVA.
Furthermore, Reynante Toga of Barangay Alijis revealed that he voted “yes” to JVA after learning that Iloilo is experiencing better power distributing services from MORE Electric and Power Corporation (MORE Power), the sister company of Primelectric.
Likewise, Noe Binabo of Barangay Alijis said yes to the agreement.
“Para maka-experience man sang bag-o nga patakaran, kay ang Ceneco permi lang naga-brownout, gani nagakaguba ang appliances,” Binabo said.
He encouraged other members to also vote “yes” for the JVA.
Angelita Benjamin, also a resident of Barangay Alijis, voted “yes” because her current monthly electric bill increased from P1,000 to P1,800.
Earlier, Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez and Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson encouraged the Ceneco MCOs to vote “yes” to the JVA for better power distribution services.
Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) acting city director, Police Colonel Noel Aliño said the first two days of the plebiscite were generally peaceful with no crime incidents reported.
Aliño said police presence in the polling areas had contributed to the peaceful conduct of the plebiscite.
The BCPO has put up Police Assistance Desks in every polling precinct./MS, WDJ