Committee on Public Services chairperson, Senator Grace Poe clarified that employees of Central Negros Electric Cooperative (Ceneco) could not be absorbed automatically by Negros Electric and Power Corporation (Negros Power).
This was stressed by Poe during the committee hearing on Negros Power’s franchise bill last Tuesday, March 5.
She believes that there are Ceneco employees who are excellent in their jobs and deserve to be absorbed, but there are some lazy employees.
“May mga miyembro kayong excellent, masisipag, they deserve to be absorbed, they deserve to be employed. Pero I’m sure, kayo rin mismo, meron kayong mga nakikitang mga empleyado na matatamad naman, wala naman mga ginagawa. That’s also not fair ha,” Poe said.
It would be unfair for Negros Power if they hired them automatically.
“Hindi po ‘yan automatic na porket employee ka, kailangan may trabaho ka forever. Hindi po ganun,” she said.
The senator also advocated that hiring of employees must be based on performance, and not age, gender or appearance.
“Kaya kapag sinabing lahat kukunin, lahat nang qualified dapat kunin. Wala sa age, wala sa gender, wala sa itsura, but based on performance,” she said.
Poe believes that a joint venture company needs employees who are dedicated to their jobs to guarantee its success.
“So employment is not a right. You also have to be able to fulfill your responsibilities,” the senator said.
Poe also assured employees that the granting of the franchise would be beneficial to them.
“Lahat tayo dito merong nakasalalay na matatamasa na benepisyo kung maging maayos ang serbisyo doon sa lugar ninyo. Huwag kayong matakot na ma-etsapwera. Dapat kasama kayo sa paglago,” she said.
Ceneco and Primelectric/Negros Power’s joint venture agreement and proposed franchise give first preference for Ceneco employees in the hiring of workforce for the new distribution utility in central Negros.
Negros Power president Roel Castro told Poe that there are more than 250 Ceneco employees who have already applied for positions, and they are now in the process of hiring them.
Poe also emphasized the need for capitalization in the distribution utility service to support the progress of the franchise area.
“Kaya ba ninyo ang capitalization para kunyari may mga call centers na lilipat, may mga hotels. Kaya ba i-electrify lahat ‘yun?” she asked those who oppose Negros Power’s entry.
She highlighted that Ceneco can no longer provide the necessary expertise in developing areas.
“Alam niyo, iba na ang development ngayon. Noon kasi, electrification. Ngayon, umunlad na kasi ang mga bayan. Unfortunately, cooperatives may not have the technical knowledge or the corporate competence to be able to supply the power needed in those areas,” Poe said.