Leonardia sees politics behind tiff with Ceneco
BACOLOD CITY – Mayor Evelio R. Leonardia said that some members of the board of Central Negros Electric Cooperative (Ceneco) is not that diplomatic and well-behaved anymore because they are allies of his political nemesis, Bacolod Cong. Monico O. Puentevella.
Ceneco, earlier, threatened to cut the City Hall's power connection because the latter has not paid its electric bills for several months already.
Based on Ceneco's statement of account to the City Hall, the latter owed Ceneco 155 million, excluding the P45 million which is now being resolved in a local court. While, Ceneco has its obligations too with the City in terms of Franchise Tax.
Leonardia said that they have the legal remedies in case Ceneco will effect the power disconnection.
To recall, during the time of former Mayor Oscar Verdeflor, a near gun battle between the City Police and Regional Mobile Group ensued because of the Ceneco problem. Added to it was a street fight, involving City Hall casuals and Ceneco linemen after the latter attempted to cut the power lines of Ceneco along San Juan Street.
Leonardia, however, said, "I am not that kind who will resort to it. I can only be like that when I am provoked."
It was learned that City Hall paid Ceneco its electric bills only for the period January to May this year.
Leonardia said that during their meeting with Ceneco officials recently, there was no mention of a disconnection.
"The letter of disconnection was a surprise. There was a demand letter which included the Board Resolution. But the disconnection move was not taken up with us when we were sitting as gentlemen. It was just very apparent that the mood in Ceneco has changed. There are Board of Directors who are identified with Bacolod Cong. Monico Puentevella and things have changed. Before, CENECO officials were diplomatic and well behaved. The things that are happening today might be part of their political agenda," Leonardia said.
He said that they were not the ones magnifying the issue. "We have put everything in place and low key as possible to avoid political exploitation," Leonardia said.
The mayor further cited that the Ceneco Alliance of Lifeline Consumers of Bacolod (Call-Bacolod) is a political group. He said some protesters there are former employees of City Hall who were dismissed from the service.
"The thing speaks for itself," he said.
Leonardia said that it is always best that Ceneco and Bacolod City officials should talk and avoid pressuring each other.
"We can talk as equals. We both have our obligations to each other. We are just trying to hold our punches for now," Leonardia said.
To note, Call-Bacolod staged a rally in Bacolod City during the 56th birthday celebration of Mayor Leonardia.
Call-Bacolod representative Arnel Mondejar demanded that Ceneco collect the current account of Bacolod City Hall amounting to P200 million.
They also pushed for the disconnection of City Hall's power connection if it fails to settle its account with Ceneco.
City Hall's huge power delinquency was a factor that CENECO could not grant the city government its "prompt payment" discount amounting to about P113,000 a month.