BACOLOD City – The “yes” votes were overwhelming in the first two days – June 24 and 25 – of plebiscite to ratify the joint venture agreement (JVA) between Central Negros Electric Cooperative (Ceneco) and Primelectric Holdings, Inc./Negros Electric Power Corporation (NEPC).
There are four more plebiscite days scheduled – July 1, 2, 8, and 9.
There are a total of 192,188 eligible voters. On Saturday and Sunday, the turnout was 27,741, data from the Overall Plebiscite Committee showed.
Of the 27,741 that voted, 78 percent said “yes” to the JVA – equivalent to 21,674 votes. Twenty-two percent voted “no”, equivalent to 6,067 votes.
Further breaking down the votes cast, on the first day of the plebiscite the voter turnout was 17,335. Of these, 13,587 voted “yes” and 3,748 voted “no”.
On the second day, the voter turnout reached 10,406. Of these, 8,087 voted “yes” while 2,319 voted “no”.
Ceneco and Primelectric Holdings executed the JVA to improve power distribution service in the cooperative’s franchise areas covering the cities of Bacolod, Bago, Talisay and Silay, and the towns of Murcia and Don Salvador Benedicto in Negros Occidental.
Consumer Yunube Mangao of Barangay Mansilingan here disclosed voting “yes”. She believed the JVA would bring huge improvements to the electricity service of Ceneco and encouraged other Ceneco members to vote “yes”, too.
Michael Angelo Viscara of Barangay Mansilingan voted “yes” also. He looked forward to not having to experience brownouts anymore, with the JVA in place.
From Barangay Alijis here, Reynante Toga also voted “yes” after learning that Iloilo City is now experiencing better power distribution service and affordable rates from Primelectric’s sister company, MORE Electric and Power Corporation (MORE Power).
Like Toga, Noe Binabo of Barangay Alijis voted “yes” also “para maka-experience man sang bag-o nga patakaran. Kay ang Ceneco permi lang naga-brownout, nagakaguba ang amon appliances.”
For her part, Angelita Benjamin, also a resident of Barangay Alijis, voted “yes” because she looked forward to having lower monthly electricity bills, and no more power interruptions.
No less than Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez encouraged Ceneco members in Bacolod City to vote “yes” for better power service.
Meanwhile, Police Colonel Noel Aliño, acting director of the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO), said the plebiscite on Saturday and Sunday was generally peaceful.
Cops secured the polling areas. The BCPO set up Police Assistance Desks./PN
