All Benguet towns push holding of Beneco polls
>> Tuesday, August 15, 2023
LA TRINIDAD, Benguet --– Almost all Benguet municipal local governments recently made resolutions calling for elections to elect new board of directors of the Benguet Electric Cooperative, put in turmoil when the National Electrification Administration “took over” Beneco in January, dismissed duly elected board members, appointed an interim board, suspended general manager Melchor Licoben and installed engineer Ramel B. Rifani as GM.
The NEA later replaced Rifani with department head Artemio M. Bacoco for the post but designated as GM lawyer Delmar Carino who heads human resource and legal departments.
This, as municipal officials of Atok are reportedly due to sign a resolution this week also calling for Beneco elections.
Baguio City and Benguet top provincial government officials like the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (Provincial Board) have yet to sign a resolution calling for Beneco elections, sources said.
First to make a resolution calling for elections last June was the Sanggunian Bayan of La Trinidad, presided by Vice Mayor Roderic Awingan last month.
The municipal governments of the towns of Bokod, Mankayan, Kibungan, Bakun, Buguias, Kabayan, Kapangan, Sablan Tublay and Tuba followed calling for Beneco elections in support of the La Trinidad resolution, sources said.
Kabayan called for elections in resolution 342-23 dated July 17.
It was signed by Mayor engineer Florante B. Batales Jr., Vice MayorMike E. Badival, Sanggunian Bayan members Rudy B. Alos, Sario M. Minas, Orlan W. Kelcho, Marylou B. CosalanRoli. Francies L. Wakit, Nover L. Baskial, Amy Joane A. Belting, Evelyn K. Baguista and Secretary to the Sanggunian Justina B. Tabingan.
The Municipal government of Sablan town earlier made a resolution 23-1263 dated July 10, 2023 to a resolution made earlier by the La Trinidad Municipal Council calling for Beneco elections.
Bokod officials who signed their respective resolution included mayor Thomas “Bongbong” Kisal Wales Jr., vice mayor Erik Donn Ignacio and municipal councilors Miguel Cosalan Jr., Doroteo Beray, Marian Calawen, Elinger Dayotao, Arthur Solano, Johnny Sama, Alejandro Basilio, Sonny Olas, Francis Delfin, Lim Marcelo and Charles Beray.
Councilors Baylon P. Galuten, Ambino T. Padawi and Norberto Anasan were on official business travel.
Itogon, municipal council also 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.
Bwnguet town officials said elections were 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
0 comments:
Post a Comment