The National Electrification Administration (NEA) through its Board of Administrators (NEA BOA) issued a Decision ordering the removal of BENECO’s Board of Directors based on findings of long-standing irregularities in the management of BENECO.
The NEA BOA held that BENECO’s Directors, namely, Esteban A. Somngi, Rocky M. Aliping, Enrique S. Moresto, Jonathan C. Obar, Robert L. Valentin, Josephine B. Tuling, Luke B. Gomeyac, Peter B. Busaing, Jeffred S. Acop, Mike W. Maspil, and James B. Aclopen, unduly received benefits and allowances, availed of and mismanaged substantial loans to the detriment of BENECO, as well as amended the terms of payment for several of its service providers without the required approval of NEA, among others. NEA likewise held that BENECO’s removed directors are disqualified for reinstatement or reemployment in any electric cooperative, to run as candidate for a Board of Director position in any cooperative, with their other monetary benefits forfeited, and ordered them to refund to BENECO the disallowed amounts they received. In the same Decision, the NEA BOA suspended BENECO Assistant General Manager Engr. Melchor Licoben for forty-five (45) days, finding him administratively liable for simple negligence as a first offense.
In its absence, the NEA BOA approved the creation of Task Force BENECO to act as the Board of Directors in the interim. Task Force BENECO is composed of representatives from various sectors such as the Business, Academe/Education, Consumer/Professional, Agricultural and Religious sectors.
The NEA BOA also recalled the probationary employment of Atty. Ana Maria Paz B. Rafael as the General Manager of BENECO effective immediately. Since Atty. Rafael’s assumption as General Manager, BENECO’s rating as an electric cooperative has regressed to category C from AAA category in the 2019 NEA EC Overall Performance Assessment. In the meantime, the Department of Energy directed NEA Administrator Antonio Mariano C. Almeda to act as BENECO’s Project Supervisor for a period of six (6) months, which was ratified by the NEA BOA. Administrator Almeda will supervise the management and operation of the electric coop to ensure the delivery of electric service to the member-consumer-owners. The NEA BOA likewise designated Mr. Ramel B. Rifani, BENECO’s Network Systems Manager, to act as BENECO’s Acting General Manager also for a period of six (6) months. Administrator Almeda intends to prioritize the election of BENECO’s regular Board of Directors, as well as the appointment of BENECO’s regular General Manager within his six (6) months of serving as BENECO’s Project Supervisor.
