By Lizbeth Ann Abella/PNA
TACLOBAN CITY — The Leyte II Electric Cooperative (Leyeco 2) joined the early Thursday morning nationwide “Black Valentine’s Day” protest, opposing the cancellation of franchises of ailing electric cooperatives even while the recommendation had already been withdrawn.
Leyeco 2 general manager Fernan Paul Tan said the activity is an act of support against the Department of Energy’s (DOE) recommendation to revoke the franchise of 17 electric cooperatives.
“The management and employees, including the members of Leyeco 2’s advisory council attended the flag ceremony and showed their support by wearing a black shirt,” Tan told reporters. The activity was dubbed “Wear Black to Fight Back, a Black Valentines’ Day Protest.”
It was reported that DOE Secretary Alfonso Cusi has already retracted the recommendation but the electric cooperatives believe that the damage has been done.
Cusi said his action was part of the department’s move to review the cooperatives’ compliance to the service requirements of their respective franchises.
The Philippine Rural Electric Cooperatives is convinced that the move was more of a threat than an initiative to enhance the electric cooperatives’ performance, Tan said.
In the succeeding Fridays, Leyeco 2 management and employees will continue to wear black shirts to show their continuing protest.
Last Jan. 11, Cusi sent a letter to House Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo recommending for the cancellation of the franchise of ailing cooperatives under Section 46 of Republic Act 9136 or the Act Ordaining Reforms in the Electric Power Industry.
The 17 cooperatives whose cancellation of franchise were recommended due to poor performance are in Abra, Pampanga, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Palawan, Camarines Sur, Albay, Masbate, Catanduanes, Ticao Island, Zamboanga City, Davao del Norte, Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Maguindanao, and Lanao del Sur.
On Feb. 1, DOE Undersecretary Felix William Fuentebella said the recommendation to Congress had already been withdrawn.
“The DOE sees the need to further evaluate and assess the present status and performance of the 17 electric cooperatives,” he said.
