BENECO a well-run cooperative: Sen. Gatchalian

BAGUIO CITY — The present challenges facing Benguet Electric Cooperative (BENECO) has not escaped the attention of Senate Committee on Energy chair Sherwin “Win” T. Gatchalian, moving him to visit the utility and hold a dialog with the utility’s officials over the weekend.

The senator said he will file a resolution to investigate BENECO’s situation, during an interview with Baguio media on Saturday, November 27.

“In my research, BENECO is a well-run cooperative kaya questionable yung nangyari. I want to look into the issue and resolve it somehow,” the senator said.

Hotels had been fully booked throughout the long weekend despite the increase in the number of tourists allowed in the city.

Gatchalian commended Baguio City’s flourishing tourism industry and said that the last thing a progressive city wants is electricity disruption.

“I’m here to listen to them [BENECO officials] and to see how we can resolve the issue. If we can resolve this without doing a hearing, then so much the better,” Gatchalian said.

The senator affirmed to try to resolve BENECO’s issues within one to two weeks’ time, regardless of whether or not a hearing will be required to solve the matter legislatively. //Merriam del Rosario-FNS