By Mae Singuay
The National Electrification Administration (NEA) has confirmed the final result of the plebiscite in the ratification of the joint venture agreement (JVA) between Central Negros Electric Cooperative (Ceneco) and Primelectric Holdings Inc.
In a memorandum, NEA administrator Antonio Mariano Almeda said they confirmed the final result of the plebiscite and found that the majority of Ceneco’s eligible member-consumer-owners (MCOs) favored the JVA.
“NEA confirms the final result of the plebiscite as determined, proclaimed, and submitted to it by the electric cooperative, with 98,591 votes for the approval of the JVA, and 6,899 votes against the same,” Almeda said in a statement on September 12.
At least 89,119 “yes” votes, which is 50 percent plus one, or a majority from the total 178,236 MCOs eligible to participate in the plebiscite, were required for the approval of the JVA, to be compliant under Presidential Decree (PD) 269, also known as NEA decree.
The NEA received a copy of Ceneco’s sworn certification on September 6, signed by Ceneco board president Jojit Yap, in accordance with the plebiscite guidelines.
The sworn certification certified the final results of the plebiscite, as Ceneco said it was “based on the certificate of final and official canvass results endorsed by the Overall Plebiscite Committee to its board of directors.”
The memorandum also directed Ceneco to submit the JVA to NEA for its consent in accordance with PD 269.
Almeda said Ceneco should also be ready to present plans on how it intends to secure the consent of any other lending source which holds a lien on any of Ceneco’s properties as required under PD 269.
“Ceneco should be prepared to answer any questions or queries of the NEA on the JVA,” the memo further said.
The NEA has expressly reserved its right to impose further conditions on its consent to the JVA for the protection of Ceneco’s member-consumers, it added.
Almeda cited Section 53, Article 9 of Ceneco’s plebiscite guidelines which stated that NEA should have the jurisdiction if overall post-plebiscite protests are filed.
Ceneco conducted a series of JVA plebiscites on June 24 and 25, August 19, 20, 26, and 27.
The cooperative’s coverage areas include Negros Occidental cities of Bago, Talisay and Silay, the municipalities of Murcia and Don Salvador Benedicto, and capital Bacolod City.
The joint venture company of Ceneco and Primelectric is Negros Electric and Power Corporation or Negros Power./MS, WDJ