By CESAR JOLITO III

Toboso Mayor Richard Jaojoco criticized the Northern Negros Electric Cooperative (Noneco) for what he described as a lack of transparency in the long-delayed election of its board of directors, saying the cooperative’s governance issues are now affecting public trust and service delivery.

Jaojoco said the election for the Noneco board representative covering the Toboso area is already overdue and questioned why the cooperative’s leadership has not coordinated with the National Electrification Administration (NEA) to conduct the necessary electoral process.

He urged the Noneco board and its general manager to formally request NEA’s intervention to proceed with the election, stressing that delays have left constituents without proper representation.

Jaojoco has also raised concerns over electricity pricing, noting that Noneco reportedly charges the highest rates among electric cooperatives in Negros Occidental.

Amid mounting complaints from residents over service quality, Jaojoco said he is open to structural reforms, including a proposed 70-30 privatization arrangement similar to the joint venture agreement of the Central Negros Electric Cooperative and Negros Electric and Power Corp.

He said he is willing to support any entity that can deliver more reliable and affordable electricity, citing growing public frustration over what he described as “inferior services” from the cooperative.

Energy firm MORE Electric and Power Corporation, based in Iloilo City, has reportedly written to propose a joint venture agreement, which Jaojoco said he is open to reviewing as part of potential service improvements.

Meanwhile, Jaojoco also disclosed that the Noneco cashier previously subject to complaints from Toboso residents has already been replaced, though he did not provide further details on the matter.

The controversy adds renewed pressure on Noneco to address governance and service issues as calls for reform and possible privatization gain traction in northern Negros./CJ, WDJ