FRUSTRATED over persistent brownouts, concerned residents of Central Negros communities have appealed to the Senate to end their sufferings by approving the franchise of a privately owned utility in their province.
In a joint statement, community associations in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental, called on the Senate Committee on Public Services to approve the congressional franchise of Negros Electric and Power Corporation (NEPC).
“Electricity is a basic necessity that affects the lives of all family members and homeowners,” the petition stated.
It noted that NEPC. a private distribution utility “has the financial and technical capacity and managerial expertise to address their electricity needs.”
Nona dela Cruz, chairperson of Tinagong Paraiso E powered Women’s Organization, said they needed electricity as a basic necessity..
Without power or energy, Dela Cruz said there is also no water supply for drinking, as well as for the family’s security.
The petitioners also aired their frustrations over the services of Central Negros Electric and Power Cooperative (CENECO).
Jesben Duday, chairman of the Parents of Purok Riverside Inc. stressed they were deprived of reliable power supply and efficient services for several decades now despite religiously paying their monthly bills.
Julie Alob, head of the Banago Yuhom Takers Association, asserted that they shouldered the burden of paying system losses by the CENECO operations.
Mahimulaton Home Owners Association chairman Jun Mart Tan emphasized that instead of comfort, they encountered hardships under the services of CENECO.
He charged that CENECO’S structures should undergo rehabilitation.
During the hearing by the Committee on Public Services, chairperson Senator Grace Poe guaranteed all personnel of CENECO that they have nothing to worry since “everybody will benefit once electric service is fixed.”