NEA, CDA AFFIRM BENECO GM’S APPOINTMENT

June 18, 2022 Headlines

BAGUIO CITY (June 17, 2022)— The National Electrification Administration (NEA) and the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), in a joint statement this Wednesday, affirmed the appointment of lawyer Ana Maria Paz Rafael as Benguet Electric Cooperative(Beneco) general manager.
Both regulatory bodies also advised Beneco consumer members to “transact only with legitimate and authorized officials” of the cooperative and aptly warned them “of the standing suspension order against Beneco acting general manager Melchor Licoben and seven members of the electric cooperative’s board of directors.
Both NEA and CDA said Licoben, along with suspended Beneco board members Esteban Somngi, Jeffred Acop, Mike Maspil, Peter Busaing, Jonathan Obar, Josephine Tuling, and Robert Valentin, “have no authority to represent the electric cooperative”, adding further, “(they) are not allowed to act as signatory/ies of Beneco checks, to disburse its funds for whatever purpose, and to hire or appoint employees nor call for any Annual General Membership Assembly, Annual Regular General Assembly Meeting/s and Information Education Campaign.”
Beneco general manager Ana Maria Paz Rafael, earlier appointed by NEA in August last year, “is the one who has been authorized and empowered to act an on behalf of Beneco,” said the joint statement of the NEA and CDA signed by NEA Administrator USec. Juaneza and CDA chairperson Joseph Encabo.
Both NEA and CDA also recognized Beneco board president Luke Gomeyac, treasurer Rocky Aliping, secretary Enrique Moresto, and member James Aclopen as duly authorized board members to represent the electric cooperative “for all matters about Beneco.”
A leadership struggle has since affected Beneco after acting manager Licoben and other members of its BOD including key leaders of management refused to recognize NEA’s appointment of Atty. Rafael came after voiding an earlier selection of the acting manager to succeed the late Gerardo Versoza who retired in April 2020.
The NEA Board of Administrators picked Rafael for earning a 94-percent mark as against Licoben’s 82.75 percent, according to NEA Board Resolution No. 2021-47.
Artemio A. Dumlao/ABN