Ceneco cuts City Hall power; City padlocks Ceneco
BACOLOD CITY – In an apparent retaliation to Central Negros Cooperative's (Ceneco) disconnection of power from the Bacolod City Hall, the city government yesterday padlocked the power utility's administrative office for its failure to settle its franchise tax obligation.
City Legal Officer Atty. Allan Zamora yesterday led his legal enforcement team in padlocking the main entrance of Ceneco building and an adjacent gate.
"Only the Administrative Department (of Ceneco) will be padlocked, the power connection to all commercial establishments (in the city) will not be affected because the maintenance and operation sections are not covered in the closure order," Zamora told reporters before implementing the closure.
It was learned that there was no resistance from the Ceneco management when the closure was implemented.
Zamora believed that Ceneco betrayed their compromise agreement when it cut off power from the Bacolod City Hall last Wednesday.
The city government also has unpaid obligation with the electric utility.
The transacting public at the business permits and licensing division were primarily affected by the power disconnection.
Meanwhile, Ceneco President Atty. Vicente Sabornay called on the city government to lift the closure order so that they could resume regular operations and eventually accept the payment of the city government.
Sabornay said, the city should open it first so that they can receive it officially and clear the city's records regarding the issue of old accounts specifically the July to December 2008 unpaid bills.
He added, they also cannot negotiate with the city unless the city officials will go to their office and set an appointment for round table discussions.
Ceneco's Public Information Officer Roel Venus said they sent to letters to the Office of the Mayor and Vice-Mayor on December 19, 2008 and January 5, 2009 informing the city of its unpaid accounts.
"As far as Ceneco is concerned we observed due process," he stressed.