As expected, the National Electrification Administration (NEA) has disapproved a resolution passed by the board of directors of the First Catanduanes Electric Cooperative, Inc. (FICELCO) requesting for the deferment of the January 2026 special district elections.
In denying the board’s appeal, Administrator Antonio Mariano C. Almeda directed the electric cooperative to proceed with the conduct of the district elections as scheduled.
The Tribune had reported last week that the board members had passed a resolution formally requesting NEA to reschedule the district elections that would replace the following representatives of member-consumer-owners: Dir. Romeo D. Santos in District I (Baras-Gigmoto), Dir. Rodulfo B. Vargas Sr. of District II (Bato), Dir. Alicia Arcilla of District III (San Andres), and Dir. Robert C. Aquino of District VII (Viga, Panganiban and Bagamanoc).
Aside from “impassable roads” due to super typhoon Uwan as well as “budget constraints,” Board Resolution No. 168 reportedly cited the ongoing “massive restoration efforts” in the typhoon’s aftermath as the main reason for the request.
In rejecting the request, NEA cited data submitted to it at the time that 99.30 percent of consumer connections in Catanduanes had already been restored.
The elections are set on Saturdays starting on Jan. 10 (District I), Jan. 17 (District VII), Jan. 24 (District II), and Jan. 31 (District III).
The deadline for the filing of certificate of candidacy is on Dec. 31, 2025 for District I, Jan. 7, 2026 for District VII, Jan. 14 for District II and Jan. 21 for District III.
Not affected by the elections are the posts of Directors Myrna SJ. Carilimdiliman of District V (Virac), Emma Bueno of District IV (San Miguel) who is now board president, and Arsenia G. Bernacer of District VI (Caramoran and Pandan).
The elections for the four districts were supposed to be held last July 2025 but the BOD then headed by President Rodulfo Vargas, sought their deferment “due to ongoing critical operational and financial challenges.”
On June 30, 2025, NEA Administrator Antonio Mariano C. Almeda informed that the NEA approved the elections’ deferment considering the present challenges of the FICELCO in its power supply, which resulted to the electric cooperative entering into an emergency power supply agreement.
Almeda clarified that directors elected this coming January shall immediately assume office upon taking their oath and shall serve only the remaining portion of the current three-year term which is until the regular schedule of the Annual General Membership Assembly (AGMA) usually held every September. This means whoever wins in the January elections will serve for only eight months.