A move by some member-consumer-owners of the First Catanduanes Electric Cooperative, Inc. (FICELCO) to call for the immediate resignation of all members of the board of directors garnered scant support in the 46th Annual General Membership Meeting last Saturday.
Aside from the three proponents – Rolando Torrocha, Eddie Rodulfo and Nathan Bonifacio – who engaged the directors on the issues, only two other MCOs – including BOD President Rodolfo Vargas – reportedly stood up to show their support for the ouster move.
Apparently, those behind the petition gathered signatures from about 500 consumers and presented it, as well as two proposed resolutions, during the time set aside for other matters.
In the petition written in English and read by Torrocha, the signatories claimed that the BOD’s approval of the Emergency Power Supply Agreement (EPSA) that resulted in a steep increase in power rates was without any factual and legal basis.
The petition said that the EPSA is in violation of Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) Resolution No. 16, series of 2023, as well as a circular of the Department of Energy (DOE), stating that the basis of an EPSA should be force majeure or a fortuitous event beyond the control of man.
It stated that the EPSA deprived FICELCO of enjoyment of the UCME subsidy, imposed a higher generation charge on MCOs and eroded the cooperative’s commitment to affordable service.
Aside from the BOD’s failure to comply with transparency in the Competitive Selection Process (CSP) which it said is inimical to the interest of consumers, the petitioners said the continued retention of the board members undermines trust in FICELCO’s governance, compromises institutional accountability, and frustrates efforts to restore the subsidy and lower the power rates.
The first resolution called for the mass resignations of all members of the board for their failure to protect the rights and welfare of thje consumers and to declare all seats vacant.
The second urged the creation of an adhoc committee composed of qualified MCOs to assume its functions, engage an independent auditor to conduct a forensic review of the EPSA and related BOD resolutions, coordinate with NEA and ERC to restore the subsidy, and ensure full transparency in all power supply procurements.
During the break in the debates, DILG officer Salvador Vargas Jr. proposed that the assembly pass resolutions calling on NPC to deploy a power barge to Catanduanes and requesting the national government to realign funding from DPWH to the NPC for the installation of a submarine cable that would connect Catanduanes to the main Luzon grid.
The extended disagreements between the BOD and the movants was far from subsiding when a certain Torio from Viga took the microphone and spoke his mind
“Kapinagar na namong himati sainyo,” he said as he asked respect from the proponents and a little time to explain the issues in a special AGMM.
He proposed that the resolutions be given to each director, who will then meet with their MCO constituents and resolve the issues.
“Boses lang ning gakapila ang nadudungog. Tawan ta nin diit na oras para masabotan kang abos,” Torio stressed. “At least maing question na magiging kontrobersyal. Baging bako kitang mga edukado.”
Another MCO pushed for an outright vote on the resolutions, noting that there is no guarantee that the problems with the high rate of electricity would be gone if the board is removed.
With only a few supporting the ouster move, the proponents then walked out but only after shaking hands with several directors and announcing to the assembly that they will respect the decision.
Earlier, General Manager Francis Gianan explained the issues related to the cooperative’s franchise renewal, the delayed approval of the Terms of Reference of the CSP and the concerted efforts of the board, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, the LGUs, Cong. Eulogio Rodriguez and Gov. Patrick Alain Azanza in finding solutions to the crisis.
“Dai kamo magamo, gabos po ini gigibohon,” he said as he assured that the district elections reset to January 2026 will be held as scheduled.