Public hearing set in Baguio July 24 to resolve Beneco tiff

Itogon, La Trinidad officials push Beneco elections 

BAGUIO CITY -- A public hearing by the Baguio City Council here to tackle the Benguet Electric Cooperative controversy like election of board of directors and power rate increases,  postponed the past two weeks, was reset to Monday, July 24 early afternoon here at City Hall.
    The City Council invited representatives from the National Electrification Administration, Interim Board and management of Beneco to the hearing.
    This, as the Itogon, Benguet municipal council approved a resolution, “strongly supporting a resolution made by the La Trinidad, Benguet Municipal Council urging the National Electrification Administration and Interim Board of Directors of the Benguet Electric Cooperative to immediately call for the election or selection of the     Board of Directors of Beneco to put to rest issues on the proper representation of the member-consumer-owners with the highest governing body of the cooperative.”
    The resolution dated July 10, 2023 was signed and approved by Itogon Mayor Bernardo S. Waclin, Vice Mayor and Municipal Council presiding officer Dante Alin Xavier D. Godio and Councilors Jodea A. Brendalyn R. Oay-Camuyot, Jaime C. Laduan, Alejandro L. Palangdan, Norberto I. Pacio, Cesar A. Altiga, Lison C. Latawan Jr., Albino A. Diego Noel D. Bilibli, Aljay K. Cuyahon and Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative (IPMR) Ernani S. Pis-oy.    

It was certified correct by Rock H. Carino, Secretary to the Sanggunian.

The Itogon officials resolved to forward the resolution to the Municipality of La Trinidad through Vice Mayor Roderick C. Awingan, Mayor Romeo K. Salda, Task Force Beneco (Interim Board) and the NEA for “proper information and appropriate action.” 

The Municipal Council of La Trinidad unanimously approved the resolution on June calling for Beneco elections in regular session presided by Vice Mayor Awingan.

Aside from Awingan, those who signed the resolution were Councilors John G. Botiwey, Gilbert A. Galwan, Francis A. Lee, Bartolome L. Baldas Jr., Apolinario A Bagano Jr., Jayson C. Dangwa, Teddy C. Walang, Henry M. Kipas, Charles T. Canuto and Secretary to the Sanggunian Edward M. Canuto.

Councilors of both towns said election was needed to replace the Beneco Interim Board of Directors who were appointed through NEA Resolution No 03-2023 dated January 10, 2023, confirming the creation of a “Task Force Beneco” to act as Board of Directors of Beneco.

Under Beneco’s constitution and by- laws, the cooperative is governed by 11 BODs who are elected by member-consumer-owners, now numbering 142,000 in Baguio and Benguet.

“The MCOs are fully aware of the problems besetting the Beneco the past year, “ stated the La Trinidad resolution. “They are well informed of the issues on management, rate increase and how the NEA has handled these issues.”

“Electing the regular members of the Board of Directors of Beneco would certainly resolve related issues and questions affecting the operation and management of Beneco,” the resolution said.

In a recent press forum, Steve Cating, Interim Board Chairman categorically said  they were banned from running for election as regular BODs.

Cating’s statement was supported by Interim Board Members — lawyer George Dumawing, Jr., Elma Donaal and Rodolfo De Guia.

The Beneco controversy started when the NEA tried to install a former Malacanang official as Beneco general manager which was opposed by MCOs.

This, even if engineer Melchor Licoben was already sitting as GM considering he was appointed by the previous BODs which the NEA terminated.

Later, the NEA relegated Licoben to the position of assistant general manager even if this was opposed by MCOs.

The NEA was able to do this when NEA Administrator, accompanied by Baguio Mayor Benjamin Magalong entered the Beneco headquarters here in South Drive last January and announced the termination of the previous BODs.

This, even if the NEA was not able to prove its allegations of financial mismanagement against the previous BODs, the former Beneco offiicals said. – Alfred Dizon