The president of the Central Negros Electric Cooperative yesterday justified the purchases of Ceneco, particularly that of a service vehicle, which the Freedom from Debt Coalition-Negros had questioned.

Ed Guillem told the DAILY STAR yesterday that the Board of Directors had approved the purchase of a P1.1 million Toyota Hi-Ace van because Ceneco needs a new vehicle and added that the National Electrification Administration gave a go-signal for it.

He said that, as the cooperative's coverage grows larger, it also requires a vehicle for easier mobility of its employees, adding that Ceneco also has activities that bring its people to as far as the cities of San Carlos, Dumaguete and Cebu.

Guillem, who said that the vehicle will be used for official functions, pointed out that the last time Ceneco purchased a service vehicle was about five or six years ago, and that the Starex van bought then was second-hand.

He said the acquisition of a new vehicle will not be done at the expense of the salaries of Ceneco employees.

He also defended anew the acquisition of a new substation that will be set up in Brgy. Alijis, Bacolod City, saying that it will improve Ceneco's delivery of power service.

Guillem debunked the claim of FDC-Negros that the purchase of the substation from Power Star Inc. is anomalous and explained that they had submitted all the documents required.

The plan is already complete and the people of Power Star Inc. and personnel of Ceneco's Engineering Division have already completed the plan for the operation of the substation, he said.

They should prove that what we did was anomalous. Their claims are baseless and unfounded, Guillem said, adding that the FDC-Negros can't dictate to them on what to buy, or what to do.*NLG

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