Yap welcomes Beneco’s franchise renewal
Congressman Eric Go Yap is looking forward to further rural electrification in the province following Benguet Electric Cooperative’s (Beneco) franchise renewal.
The House of Representatives on Wednesday passed on the third and final reading House Bill (HB) 10483 which grants a franchise to Beneco 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.”
“We’re elated with the approval of this bill in Congress, not only for BENECO but more so for our consumers. I’m happy kasi it passed na before we get busier sa Congress dahil sa ongoing budget hearings,” said the solon.
Yap and Baguio City lawmaker Mark Go earlier filed separate bills for the franchise renewal which were consolidated for consideration in the lower chamber with 202 representatives voting in favor for the renewal with no abstention and opposition.
“We will not wait until next term pa para ipasa itong BENECO Franchise Bill kahit sa 2028 pa matatapos talaga yung franchise. We don’t know what will be the priority next Congress kaya as much as possible, habang kaya ngayon, ilaban na para siguradong walang interruption. Interruption of BENECO services will be very costly sa lahat,” added Yap.
Beneco general manager Melchor Licoben welcomed the franchise approval in Congress and thanked the lawmakers for their swift passage of the bill before the election.
Yap said Beneco’s franchise renewal will pave the way for enhanced service reliability as the power distributor can now focus on upgrading its infrastructure while spurring economic growth in the area.
Beneco’s franchise renewal is also a testament to the government’s commitment to ensuring that Benguet and Baguio residents have access to reliable and affordable electricity.
Yap said he would also lobby for the passage of the same bill in the Senate.
“We will now switch gears and go to the Senate, lobby for its passage. Confident tayo because we have friends there, hopefully, it will be passed this year and signed into law by the President. Mabuhay ang Benguet at Baguio!” added Yap. ### (PR)
