CONGRESS APPROVES BENECO FRANCHISE ON 3RD READING

The House of Representatives approved today on third reading the house bill on the renewal of the franchise of BENECO. Rep. Mark Go of the lone district of Baguio City informed BENECO officials of this development.

Rep. Go and Benguet Rep. Eric Yap earlier filed separate bills for the franchise renewal which were consolidated for consideration of the lower chamber. Approved was House Bill (HB) 10483 (An Act Granting Benguet Electric Cooperative , Inc. (BENECO)

A Franchise To Construct, Install, Establish, Operate, Own, Manage, and Maintain A Distribution System for the Conveyance of Electric Power to the End-Users in All the municipalities of the Province of Benguet and in Baguio City.” The bill now goes to the Senate.

A total of 202 representatives voted yes for the measure with no abstention and no opposition. In his message, GM Melchor Licoben said: “Our next hurdle is the senate and we hope to get the bill approved before the election. Thank you everyone for working hard for the passage of our franchise.” (LSI)