3 power co-ops face raps for misuse of P 400M
The National Electrification Administration (NEA) wants to hold three “erring” electric cooperatives (ECs) accountable for allegedly misusing funds totaling more than P400 million.
NEA administrator Antonio Mariano Almeda earlier endorsed the filing of administrative cases with the Department of Justice (DOJ) against the Negros Occidental Electric Cooperative (Noceco), First Bukidnon Electric Cooperative Inc. and Nueva Ecija II Electric Cooperative-Area 2 (Neeco 2-Area 2).
The administrative charges may lead to “the proper determination of possible criminal liabilities therein,” the agency said.
It added that Noceco “unduly” granted, without NEA’s approval, some P82 million in salaries, allowances and benefits in a span of about three years.
First Bukidnon, on the other hand, was charged with misrepresenting data with the apparent aim of “window-dressing” its financial operations and its overspending of some P92.7 million in nonpower costs.
It also allegedly violated NEA’s procurement guidelines and granted unauthorized salary increases, allowances and benefits.
Help from NBI
As for Neeco 2-Area 2, NEA said it sought help from the National Bureau of Investigation in looking into the EC’s employee retirement fund as well as its general fund, wherein the agency said there was a misappropriation of about P250 million.
‘Remedial measures’
The NEA said it was also advised by the DOJ to look into “other possible remedial measures … in pursuing erring ECs.”
Noceco, established in 1978, provides electricity services to 13 towns, four cities and 308 barangays in the southern part of Negros Occidental.
Founded in 1972, First Bukidnon is the sole power distributor for one city and 11 towns in Bukidnon province as well as one municipality in Lanao del Sur province.
Neeco 2-Area 2 supplies electricity to 11 towns in Nueva Ecija province.
The NEA, a government-owned and controlled corporation under the Department of Energy, oversees all 121 ECs in the country. It is also mandated to implement the government’s rural electrification program. INQ
