Central Negros votes overwhelmingly in favor of the power modernization agreement

In the second round of the plebiscite last weekend, a resounding majority chose to approve the joint venture agreement (JVA) between Primelectric Holdings Inc. (PHI) and Central Negros Electric Cooperative (Ceneco).

However, in a joint pastoral statement released on Saturday, three Roman Catholic bishops on Negros Island questioned the JVA. They urged the government to intervene financially to guarantee that Ceneco maintains its independence as a cooperative.

According to partial plebiscite results released on August 20, 67,562 people, or 91 percent, voted in favor of the JVA on June 24 and 25, as well as on August 19 and 20. As of Sunday, 6,601 out of the 177,737 eligible Ceneco voters rejected the JVA, or 9%. Dates for a further four plebiscites were planned for August 26 and 27, as well as September 2 and 3. In order to modernize and enhance power distribution in its franchise territory, Ceneco and PHI signed the agreement on June 3.

In order to provide funding for crucial capital expenditure projects in the Philippines, Ceneco and a private business, PHI, formed the Negros Electric and Power Corporation (NEPC). Concerns have been raised about the JVA, which includes the towns of Bacolod, Silay, Talisay, Bago, Salvador Benedicto, and Murcia. One such group is the Ceneco members-consumers-owners federation. The action raises concerns about the reasons behind it as well as the unsatisfactory way the JVA came into being. The bishops contend that since energy serves the general welfare, it should not be subject to profit-oriented concerns.

They push Ceneco to be a wholly genuine cooperative and consumers to expect openness and responsibility. Additionally, consumers are urged by the bishops to carefully read the JVA's provisions and to cast their votes in the next plebiscite. After reviewing the joint venture agreement, the National Electrification Administration (NEA) is anticipated to give the agreement the go-ahead.