Member-consumer-owners (MCOs) of the Benguet Electric Cooperative (BENECO) continue to enjoy cheap power rates following the decrease in the power charges of the electric cooperative by P0.1170/kwh in February compared to the power rates last month.
From the residential rate of P10.4426/kwh in January, the same further dropped to P10.3256/kwh for the present billing period for consumers who will pay their power bills on time.
Based on the data obtained from BENECO under the leadership of Acting General Manager Engr. Ramel Rifani, the decrease in power charges was an offshoot of the reduction in the transmission charge of P0.8214/kwh in January to P0.7670/kwh this month and systems loss from P0.7916/kwh in January to P0.7151/kwh in the present billing period.
Further, BENECO’s commercial rate for the present billing period also significantly decreased from P9.71798/kwh in January to P9.5808/kwh or a reduction of P0.1370/kwh.
Also down by P0.1370/kwh is BENECO’s industrial rate from P9.6865/kwh in January to P9.5495/kwh for the present billing period.
For public building low voltage rate, the same also dropped by P0.1370/kwh or from P9.6901/kwh in January to P9.5531/kwh for this month.
Streetlights also decreased by P0.1370/kwh from P9.7178/kwh in January to P9.5808/kwh this month.
On the other hand, commercial high voltage rate dipped by P0.0696/kwh or from P8.1876/kwh in January to P8.1180 for the present billing period.
Public building high voltage rate decreased by P0.696/kwh or from P8.1598/kwh in January to P8.0902 for the present billing period.
BENECO reported that it is the second straight month for the year that the power rates are on a downward trend because of certain factors in the unbundled rate that have an effect in the computation of the power rates.
BENECO continues to explore all possibilities on how to maintain its cheap power cost amidst the downgrading of its status from a Class AAA to Class C electric cooperative.
The more than one year of leadership impasse experienced by one of the country’s top performing rural electric cooperative caused the sudden skid in BENECO’s status as per assessment of the National electrification Administration (NEA) which is the regulating agency of all electric cooperatives and private distribution utilities operating in the different parts of the country.
Last month, the NEA ordered the dismissal of all of the members of the Board of Directors and the suspension of some of its officers because of certain violations that caused the NEA Board of Administrators to appoint a Project Supervisor, an Acting General manager and the 5-member interim board that shall supervise, manage and administer the affairs of the electric cooperative while all pressing issues and concerns are being effectively and efficiently addressed.
BENECO has a chance to distribute power covering the Baguio and Benguet areas that stands to expire in 2028.
