City Hall power back to normal; Ceneco padlock removed
BACOLOD CITY – Power has been restored in Bacolod City Hall and other government offices here after an amicable settlement was reached between Central Negros Electric Cooperative (Ceneco) and the Bacolod City government through the intercession of Bishop Vicente Navarra Friday night.
Ceneco President Atty. Vicente Sabornay did not elaborate who really initiated the meeting but it started last Friday afternoon when somebody from City Hall called up that they want to settle the conflict in a neutral ground and they identified the "Bishop's House" as an ideal place.
He explained that Fr. Mike Carreon from Bishop's Palace also called up his private office on that date for the purpose of said meeting.
Sabornay further stressed that because of their openness to settle the dispute, they conceded with the meeting attended by Mayor Evelio Leonardia and City Legal Office Atty. Allan Zamora and the same was mediated by Bishop Vicente Navarra and Fr. Mao Buenafe from the Social Action Center.
"When we went there to the Bishop's House, City Administrator Dr. Roger Balo was already there waiting for us around 8:00 in the evening," Sabornay added. He also confirmed that the substance of their negotiation was for the City Government to withdraw their closure order and the revocation of Ceneco's business permit.
They also agreed that the City Government will pay Ceneco their unpaid current bills amounting to P9.7 million with partial payment of P8.6 million. On the part of Ceneco they agreed to pay their unpaid 2006 franchise tax and real property taxes.
Sabornay also said that after the meeting, they agreed that city hall remove the padlock at Ceneco gates and for Ceneco to restore power connection to City Hall and other government establishments.
On the part of the New Government Center, Sabornay said that they will now accept the application of the City Government even without the land title because there was already a deed of donation between the city government and the Angela Estate Incorporated that donated that property in favor of the City.