By ERWIN ‘AMBO’ DELILAN
AMID the noise and blah, blah, blah re: joint venture agreement (JVA) between Ignite Power and Central Negros Electric Cooperative (Ceneco), here comes the sound of satisfaction.
No less than the top executives of the province of Negros Occidental expressed full support to the much-talked JVA. Their very reason: It’s advantageous to Negros power consumers.
Rare to hear Gov. Bong Lacson comment on matters related to power. He’s so careful with this kind of topic (as always).
His simple wisdom on the JVA is precious, indeed! He batted on effective and efficient distribution services highlighted by lesser brownouts and reduced system loss.
Such, the governor believes, will redound to the advantage of power consumers in the province.
Aside from Bacolod City, Ceneco also covers three component cities and two municipalities in NegOcc. These are the cities of Silay, Talisay and Bago, and the towns of Murcia and Don Salvador Benedicto.
Conforming the governor’s sagacity was also Vice Gov. Jeffrey Ferrer. In a simple tone but with conviction, VG Ferrer punctuated: “The JVA is more advantageous to the power consumers compared to the current services of Ceneco!”
SOUND OF OPENNESS
MORE Electric and Power Corporation (MORE Power) president and chief executive officer Roel Castro, meanwhile, stressed he’s not allergic to opposition.
Billionaire Enrique Razon-led MORE Power is Ignite Power’s sister company.
Thus, in the case of the proposed Ignite-Ceneco JVA, Castro said, they welcome adversaries with openness to balance the concern.
But over and above, he stressed, they submit to the wisdom of the power consumers still.”
“First thing first, we look at the consumers’ point of view,” he said.
That’s why once everything’s okay via referendum in June or July, Castro said their company is willing to shell out P2-B as capital expenditures (capex) for the first three years of operations.
Then, another P2-B for the next two years, he added. “I think we can do something and look for efficient ways.”
This, as he stressed, “We’re bound to bring in good services through state-of-the-art equipment.”
As to the negative connotations re: privatization, MORE Power’s top honcho simply retorted: “Nothing to worry because, still, we’ll be regulated by NEA (National Electrification Administration), among other government agencies.”
Furthermore, Castro believes educating the consumers is the best way to dispel negativity about JVA.
But for him, it’s kinda enough that with his presentation re: JVA last week, he somehow “satisfied” both the governor and vice governor of NegOcc.
“It’s overwhelming!” he noted.
“Thus,” vowed by Castro, “we assure everyone that we’ll never fail Negrosanons and Bacolodnons.”
SOUND OF CONFIDENCE
On the other hand, it’s inevitable for Ignite to weather the test of sincerity and integrity in Bacolod and Negros. Not an easy journey, of course. Bumpy or winding. But with Castro on top of everything, there’s this sound of confidence that they’ll survive the challenge.
Castro is a known advocate of change leading to progress and development. But many from Ceneco already cast their apprehension to be displaced in case the JVA will “be given life”.
“Nope!” Castro declared, stressing, “At the end of the day, we value (much) employees’ feelings, opinions and sentiments.”
As to the “premier services” expected from Ignite, Castro sworn: “I am putting my neck on the block.”
SOUND OF ATTESTATION
Also endorsing the Ignite-Ceneco JVA is the Iloilo Economic Development Foundation (IEDF), a group of Iloilo bizmen.
In a media interview, group’s chairman Terrence Uygongco attested they’re more than satisfied with the services of MORE Power. So, Uygongco’s sure that MORE Power’s A1 services in Iloilo City will be replicated in NegOcc and Bacolod, too.
That’s why he personally asked Bacolodnons and Negrosanons to be open-minded on the matter.
“Better,” he stressed, “to study or listen well to the content of JVA, then welcome and embrace it.”
Per initial presentation, the proposed Ignite-Ceneco JVA will be at 70-30 scheme. With this, Ignite will pay 70% of Ceneco’s distribution assets and will continue the power distribution function.
Preliminary assessment revealed Ceneco’s assets are currently valuing at P1.8 to P1.9 billion.
Ceneco, on the other hand, will retain 30% of its functionality as a corporate entity.
SOUND OF HOPE
In sum, the sounds of satisfaction, openness, confidence and attestation plus the formidable assurances formed part the sound of hope. And it’s said that hope is tantamount to figuratively “praying for rain”.
If Ceneco (at its present status) needs “rain”, then let that very prayer be heard. After all, “Superman” or American actor Christopher Reeve once said: “Once you choose hope, anything’s possible.”
So, most likely, Ignite is Negros’ and Bacolod’s power consumers’ much-awaited “Superman”./PN
