BACOLOD City – The House of Representatives approved on second reading the franchise proposal of Negros Electric and Power Corporation (NEPC) during its regular session on Tuesday, Feb. 13, at the Batasang Pambansa Complex in Quezon City.
Chaired by Cong. Gus Tambunting, the committee on legislative franchises presented its report No. 936 on House Bill (HB) 9310 which outlines the transfer of the franchise from Central Negros Electric Cooperative (CENECO) to NEPC.
HB 9310 was sponsored by Negrense lawmakers Cong. Juliet Marie Ferrer (4th District), Cong. Francisco Benitez (3rd District) and Cong. Greg Gasataya (Bacolod Lone District), and Abang Lingkod party-list’s Cong. Stephen Paduano.
The franchise is specifically intended to serve the cities of Bacolod, Silay, Talisay, and Bago, along with the municipalities of Murcia and Don Salvador Benedicto for 25 years.
During the debate in the plenary yesterday, Parañaque City’s Rep. Tambunting emphasized that CENECO will still own 30 percent of NEPC, and all of its debts and financial obligations will be settled through the JVA.
He also assured that CENECO employees will be taken care of and their retirement and separation fees will be paid in accordance to the Collective Bargaining Agreements.
They will also be given a first preference if they wish to apply to NEPC.
The primary objective of this franchise is to ensure the continuous and uninterrupted supply of electricity in the aforementioned franchise areas, aiming to meet the energy needs of the residents and contribute to the region’s development and progress.
This legislation marks a significant step toward addressing the energy requirements of the covered areas, promoting economic growth, and enhancing the overall quality of electric distribution for the residents, added Tambunting.
On June 2023 ,the CENECO and the NEPC signed a joint venture agreement (JVA ) to improve power distribution service in the cooperative’s franchise areas.
Later, the National Electrification Administration (NEA) has conditionally granted its consent to the JVA ,but subject to the fulfillment conditions.
At present, CENECO has about 177,700 eligible member-consumer-owners (MCOs).
Record from the Overall Plebiscite Committee (OPC) showed that during the six days of holding the plebiscite last year, majority were in favor for the ratification of the JVA.
In the sixth and final plebiscite held on Aug. 27, 2023, there were 98,591 “yes” votes (55.53 percent) while there were 6,899 “no” votes.
To ratify the JVA, 88,870 of the majority (50 percent plus one) of the 177,737 eligible voters of CENECO are needed./PN
