Mangaldan consumers want out of Cenpelco
MANGALDAN–Although the Central Pangasinan Electric Cooperative (Cenpelco) has assured its customers that it will not suffer any power disconnection from its power supplier, it seems nothing will the customers in this town from seeking the transfer of their town to another distributor, Dagupan Electric Corporation (Decorp).
This was bared by Mayor Bonafe Parayno who said the signature campaign for Mangaldan’s transfer to Decorp from Cenpelco is still continuing.
Ms. Parayno said residents continue to come to municipal hall daily to sign the petition asking to be released from the coverage of Cenpelco.
Cenpelco’s general manager Rodrigo Corpuz repeatedly gave the assurance that the cooperative can pay its dues to its power supplier based on their new agreement.
But Ms. Parayno said even if Cenpelco has started to pay its obligations to San Miguel Energy Corporation (SMEC) that won a reprieve from a disconnection, it is still not certain if Cenpelco can still pay in the months ahead.
“Then what will happen to us?” asked the mayor.
The mayor confirmed the signature campaign was initiated by the townspeople themselves upon learning that SMEC has issued a demand letter to Cenpelco for the latter’s long overdue unpaid power bills.
“We did not know this until somebody told us. Why did Cenpelco keep this problem away from us? Are we subscribers not entitled to know?” Ms. Parayno asked.
She said the residents believe that Decorp is a better power distributor and has more efficient service.
Besides, Parayno said, the rest of towns and city in the fourth district of Pangasinan, are already being serviced by Decorp except Mangaldan.
Admitting that there is a congressional franchise to reckon with, Ms. Parayno said Fourth District Congresswoman Gina de Venecia was already asked to file a bill in congress to amend Cenpelco’s franchise to exclude Mangaldan.
She said the signatures of subscribers will be presented to Cenpelco to demonstrate their desire to be served by another power distributor.
Meanwhile, the municipal government is also looking into Cenpelco’s non-payment of its realty taxes since 1975. (Leonardo Micua)
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