By ERWIN ‘AMBO’ DELILAN
REALLY, there’s “beauty” in JVA (joint venture agreement).
And the one being proposed between Central Negros Electric Cooperative (Ceneco) and MORE Electric and Power Corporation (MORE Power) will truly be “beautiful” for Negrosanons and Bacolodnons.
Termed by Wennie Sancho, a vociferous leader of watchdog Power Watch Negros Advocate, Inc. (PWNAI): “It’s a life-saving mechanism!”
It’ll embolden Ceneco, its workers, and the power consumers in general, he enunciated.
But for respectable businessman Frank Carbon of the Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MBCCI), there’s still a bit of wait-and-see element.
“Let’s wait for the entire draft of the proposed JVA. Then, let’s see what we can do,” said Carbon.
“Great,” Ceneco’s Acting General Manager (AGM) Arnel Lapore retorted, sounding confident that it’ll, at the right time for the (very) right reason(s).
INTELLIGENT DISCUSSIONS
For now, let me stress again, Ceneco’s possible marriage to the Enrique Razon-led MORE Power via JVA is controversial. But there’s “beauty” beneath this controversy. It’s the commencement of intelligent discussions (IDs) anywhere you go. And power consumers (rich or poor) are itching to join with these IDs. They want to know what is this JVA and how will it work in Ceneco.
Then, there’s a notable intellectual arousal as to the very essence of the proposed JVA. For Sancho, it’ll level up or steer Ceneco to greater heights. It’ll also institutionalize viable reforms for the sake of an electric coop of more than 200,000 consumers, he added.
And these reforms, he stressed, are what Ceneco’s consumers are “dreaming of” for quite a long time.
* Efficient 24/7 power distribution services
* State of the art equipment to minimize system loss and brownouts
* Reasonable-slash-affordable power rates
Well, timing is everything, and that’s “the beauty of it all”.
BIZ SALUTATION
At present, the business sector in Bacolod and Negros Occidental is extending its salutation to MORE Power.
Carbon said “it’s a given” that MORE Power of the Razon Group of Companies possesses both financial muscle and technical know-how that could haul Ceneco to “greatness”.
“But we need to see the final draft of JVA first,” he insisted.
MBCCI wants to see the detailed plans, timeline and budget to be poured in for this JVA, he added.
Too, their fervent wish: To have an ad hoc committee that will anatomize this JVA.
And such committee should be composed of representatives of different Ceneco’s stakeholders, including the business sector.
In sum, let the “beauty” of analyzation follow soonest.
RESPECT THE OPPOSITION
Another “beauty” in JVA to be embraced is the ultimate respect to those who oppose such.
Lapore said there’s nothing wrong or nothing to fear with this opposition.
Rather, what they’re “crying” right now will serve as a potent guide leading to the unfolding of the real “beauty” of transparency.
All the stakeholders, including Ceneco workers, he vowed, will be informed and be given an ample time to scrutinize the contents of JVA. No short cutw, thus, everyone (if possible) shall be heard. And that’s the most “beautiful” thing to happen because JVA’s open to all.
But for now, what’s to oppose when there’s no draft yet to dissect?
EMPOWERING POWER CONSUMERS
Just recently, the National Electrification Administration (NEA) told Ceneco and MORE Power to refer the proposed JVA to an expert. No question about this standing fiat. However, I do believe that people’s opinion matters most than the experts’. Like what former governor-turned-power advocate Lito Coscolluela had said, it’s better to have public consultations to know the details of the JVA.
Then let the “beauty” of open-mindedness prevail soonest. It’s empowering to let power consumers and stakeholders decide on what’s the best for them. If they think this JVA is a “gain” for Ceneco and to all power consumers, then, so be it!
Yes, experts’ advice could be beneficial. But the people’s voice has immense power. And that’s the “beauty” that’ll surely “energize” this much-talked JVA sooner or later./PN
