Let us support Ceneco

Last Sunday a news item in the national papers said, Meralco is giving up monopoly in providing electricity in its franchise area and would allow other power providers.

As a private enterprise Meralco must make profit. It is no match to electric coops which are owned by the electric consumers themselves. Last Saturday too, we joined Ceneco officials and employees at Villarosa beach in Sum-ag on invitation by Ceneco President Ed Guillem to celebrate Ceneco's achievement registering the best run electric coop in Negros Occidental. And the second in West Visayas. The basis was the 2005 operation.

I noted a very high morale among Ceneco people. All the Ceneco officials were there. Among the former officials I saw only Louie Ledesma and myself. The newly-elected officials like Bobby Montelibano and Julius Tamayo I did not see. We congratulate all of them, particularly the officials led by president Ed Guillem who also represents District 3, Ed Torrecampo who represents District 1, Bob Ignalaga of District 2, Lito Fuentespina of District 4, Cesar Leonardia of District 5, Joebert Tagobader of Bago, Gerardo Solas of Talisay, Gregorio Duremdes of Silay.

And also the executive officers, general manager Noriel Bermudez, assistant GM Ghenry Sia, and other officers.

And other officers Roxas Ledesma, Rey Bala-an, Erlo Sigo, and Ana Lisa Bartinganan.

They all deserve the praises but most of all to the chief executive officer Ed Guillem.

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But credit does not go just to them alone. The more than 110,000 Ceneco electric consumers have a big role in this achievement by paying their bills promptly, reporting power pilferers, and following the rules of Ceneco.

But our collection of 95 percent is not the best in the Region. Iloilo 1 under Fred Billena and Noceco under Bert Canlas scored 100 percent each, Guimaras has 99, Antique has 98, Aklan and Capiz have 97 each and Vresco has 96.

We beat Iloilo 2 (94 percent) and Iloilo 3 (92 percent).

In systems loss we were beaten by Iloilo 1, Noceco, and Antique with 12 percent each while we are in the same category at 14 percent with Aklan, Capiz, Iloilo 2 and 3. Guimaras and Vresco are lowest at 15 percent each.

In barangay energization, we scored 97 percent because Salvador Benedicto is under Ceneco. Noceco and Iloilo 1 and 3 scored 100 percent energized. Lowest are Vresco at 95 and Aklan and Antique at 94 percent each.

Non-power cost was controlled by WV coops at not exceeding 10 percent.

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Noceco is also very well run. All these years Noceco always beat us and Bert Canlas is good. If could have been a tie between Ceneco and Noceco had not Noceco got a demerit of 3 points for having cash advances. Ceneco did not have cash advances.

Vresco has the biggest demerit of 13 percent and made a non-pass over-all score of 6.5 Second lowest is Guimaras with 75 points.

Of course, the best performer is Iloilo 1 under Fred Billena who is recognized all over the country as the best performer among coops.

I recall when I was Ceneco president I courted Fred Billena and Bert Canlas too to be Ceneco general manager. But Ceneco then, even without a general manager, was not liked by NEA top people.

One good thing with Fred Billena and Bert Canlas is they are strong leaders. There are those who may not like them but in the end, they agree they are good executives.

Because of past performance and cooperation, Ceneco costs are the lowest to electric consumers in West Visayas, even if compared with Meralco. This is the benefit a cooperative gets. They are not after profit but service.

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Two main things can help our electric cooperative. Report power pilferers with their "jumpers." They do not steal from Ceneco. They steal from you because systems loss is divided among us all.

And pay your bills promptly.

Last month a team of disconnectors came at home with many of my neighbors following them. They had been disconnected and would like to see if Ceneco would also disconnect my own line.

The fellow told me they were following to find out if they could disconnect my line. I asked people at home if they paid. They said they forgot. So, I told the disconnectors, "Go ahead. Let everybody be equal." My neighbors thought being a former Ceneco president I was a sacred cow. No, no, no. I don't go for that.

I went to Ceneco and paid. And in a short time the connection was restored.

I noted when the fellows were cutting off my electric connection, my neighbors silently clapped their hand believing I did not see them.

No problem with that. Let us applaud Ceneco people who do their job.*

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