BAGUIO CITY – Members of the Board of Directors of the Benguet Electric Cooperative (BENECO) underscored that the conduct of their third meeting was purposely intended to deliberate the identified priority development projects of electric cooperative beneficial to the member-consumer-owners (MCOs) for them to enjoy cheaper and quality power rates to date.
BENECO board president lawyer Esteban Somngi pointed out that the conduct of their 3rd meeting in a month was primarily aimed at focusing on the implementation of the renewable energy projects to help in ensuring the reliable and continuous source of alternative power of the electric cooperative, especially with the stiff competition in the market, where the same will translate to cheaper quality power for the MCOs.
He disclosed that the conduct of the 3rd meeting of the board was approved by the MCOs during the 2017 annual general membership assembly.
However, the National Electrification Administration (NEA) has insisted that the conduct of the 3rd meeting by the board is allegedly marred with irregularities based on its motu propio investigation on the matter
The BENECO official pointed out that the conduct of the 3rd meeting in a month had been productive because numerous issues on the implementation of the electric cooperative had been immediately resolved aside from ensuring that the project had been implemented based on project plans and specifications.
He stated that one of the clear products of the 3rd meeting of the board is the nearly completed 3-megawatt Man-asoc minihydro electric plant which is expected to be operational by the first quarter of the year.
Somngi explained that the benefits derive from the conduct of the board’s 3rd meeting in a month was already existing even before they were elected and assumed office, thus, they never demanded to be granted such questioned benefits.
According to him, BENECO should not solely rely on power distribution but it should also explore other possible endeavors around the power industry where power generation had been identified as part of its business development plan where sustainable sources of renewable energy within its franchise area should be tapped to ensure it will be able to continue offering cheap quality power to the MCOs.
Aside from its 3-megawatt minihydro project in Sebang, Buguias, BENECO is awaiting the implementation of the 1-megawatt solar farm project in Tabaan Sur, Tuba which will be completed and eventually operational by the end of this year or by early next year.
He stipulated that the fund for the said solar power farm was a grant from the European Union (EU) where the BENECO is one of the 5 electric cooperatives to be given the same because of its exemplary performance in the prosecution of its projects over the past several years.
Further, BENECO is also eyeing the put up of a series of minihydro projects in Kabayan to boost its efforts to provide the MCOs with cheap and quality power.
BENECO is one of the top performing electric cooperatives in the country which is being eyed by private distribution companies, thus, the leadership crisis to be able to possibly take over its operations with the putting in place of an unqualified and not recommended general manager which the MCOs have overwhelmingly rejected.
