The National Electrification Administration (NEA) gathered key officials of electric cooperatives (ECs) nationwide at the 2022 NEA-EC Legal Convention on 17-18 November 2022 held at Luxent Hotel in Quezon City.
NEA Administrator Emmanuel P. Juaneza welcomed the more than 300 participants from the 102 ECs. "With proper legal guidance and legal knowledge, every electric cooperative will be able to handle the challenges brought about by the market, the political environment, the climate change, the financial issues and other things," Admin Juaneza said.
During the convention, NEA Deputy Administrator for Legal Services Atty. Rossan SJ. Rosero-Lee encouraged the power coops to reactivate the association of EC Legal Counsels in order to collectively resolve the challenges they are facing such as the franchise renewal issue. "As a head of the Legal Services Sector of NEA, I highly encourage you to reactivate the EC Legal Association that was formed last 2016 or to reorganize, kung ano ang mas makakatulong. I hope everyone realizes the necessity or the urgent need for a strong association of legal counsels," the Deputy Administrator told the ECs as she assured them that NEA will also continue to help them in addressing legal matters.
The NEA organized the 2-day legal convention to educate and guide EC officials and employees on their operations under Republic Act No. 10531 and its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR), and other policies, and rules and regulations of the agency.
Assistant Solicitor General Justice Bernard G. Hernandez discussed pertinent laws affecting NEA and the salient points of R.A. No. 10531. Tax exemptions and incentives granted to ECs under P.D. 269 as amended by R.A. No. 10531 and its IRR were tackled by Atty. Brianna Kay T. Delos Santos, Assistant Chief of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Law and Legislative Division.
The convention sought to clarify as well the qualifications and disqualifications of the EC Officers and Board of Directors. NEA Deputy Administrator for EC Management Services Atty. Omar M. Mayo expounded on this topic. The attendees were also guided on the quasi-judicial functions of NEA. Legal Sector Office Department Manager Atty. Vic P. Alvaro apprised the EC officials on administrative cases and election disputes, while the step-in rights of NEA to ailing and non-ailing ECs were explained by Management Consultancy Services Office Department Manager Atty. Xerxes D. Adzuara.
Likewise, Corporate Secretary Atty. Gwen P. Enciso-Kyamko addressed issues on the jurisdiction of NEA over ECs registered with the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA). She also explained NEA's policy on Private Sector Participation (PSP).
Regulatory Affairs Office Acting Department Manager Atty. Claudette G. Ubaldo-Dema and Corporate Finance Services Chief Glen Mark F. Aquino educated the participants on the Competitive Selection Process (CSP) for Power Supply Agreements (PSA) and the NEA Procurement Guidelines to ECs, respectively. Atty. Oswaldo F. Gabat of the Legal Services Office gave a lecture on the application or renewal of franchises of electric cooperatives. ###
