Gov’t takes over power co-op in Duterte rant

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY — State-run National Electrification Administration (NEA) has taken over the management of the Palawan Electric Cooperative (Paleco) just a month after President Rodrigo Duterte blamed the franchise cooperative for the province’s power woes.

NEA Administrator Edgardo R. Masongsong, in an order dated Dec. 10, designated engineer Nelson Lalas as project supervisor and acting general manager of Paleco “effective immediately.”

The NEA said the move was being made “in the exigency of the service.”

The NEA news bulletin pointed out that Lalas’ designation would cease upon the appointment of a regular general manager, which is subject to confirmation by the NEA.

Lalas was formerly the general manager of the Camarines Sur Electric Cooperative II in the Bicol region.

Day to day

As indicated in the NEA office order, Lalas was tasked with managing the day-to-day operations of Paleco to ensure the efficient delivery of electric service to consumers.

He is also mandated with approving or disapproving Paleco board resolutions in consultation with concerned departments in the state-run agency.

Lalas was also authorized to sign, counter sign checks, withdrawal slips and other banking documents and also perform other tasks that may be assigned to him to keep Paleco operating.

The NEA intervention came a month after Mr. Duterte issued a warning that he will privatize the local cooperative if the province’s power problems were not addressed by the end of the year.

The existing Paleco management had expressed concern over the NEA move.

Hidden agenda

“Sad to know that after the issues thrown to us by the government and some consumers, it seems they are making it harder for us so they can get what they want [private companies] to take over Paleco,” said Paleco board chair Jeffrey Tan Endriga.

NEA supervises 121 electric cooperatives as called for by Republic Act No. 10531, or the National Electrification Administration Reform Act of 2013.

Paleco is the lone power distributor of Puerto Princesa City and 18 municipalities, serving 137,277 consumers.