Dumaguete City Mayor Agustin Perdices Tuesday accused some Negros Oriental 2 Electric Cooperative board members and an unnamed political leader of orchestrating the non-approval of the interest-free P27 million loan offered by the city and provincial governments to NORECO.

"It was a set-up," said Perdices at a Rotary Club forum in Dumaguete City.

Perdices said the refusal was approved by less than only 1,000 votes when the entire cooperative membership is over 24,000, and with 80,000 connections throughout its coverage area.

Perdices and Gov. George Arnaiz, who was also at the forum, said they could even raise more than 5,000 signatures in favor of the loan approval.

Arnaiz said that coop members from Bacong and Siaton towns were hauled to Bayawan City purposely to vote for the rejection of the offer during a recent general assembly.

The Rotary Club of Dumaguete is spearheading a signature campaign to gather at least 3,500, for the holding of a special assembly in Dumaguete. The signature drive is to purposely tackle the loan offer.

NORECO 2 Board chairman Esperatu Dicen said that a special assembly may be held if 3,500 signatures are gathered.

The signatures will be verified by NORECO.

The NORECO 2 management sent two technical men to the forum, but they explained only the need to rehabilitate the system, not the loan offer. Engrs. Gonzalo Natividad and Jovencito Lozano said the cooperative needs over P50 million to upgrade the entire system, in acquiring reclosers, feeders and other equipment.*JG

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