City solons want Lalas out of Casureco II

By Jason B. Neola NAGA CITY – Members of the Sangguniang Panglunsod (SP) here are unanimous in their sentiment to kick out Engr. Nelson from his post as project supervisor and acting general manager of Camarines Sur II Electric Cooperative, Inc. for incompetence and loss of confidence among the member-consumers. In two related resolutions passed during the Sangguniang Panglunsod’s regular session last Tuesday, April 24, the council members strongly urged Administrator Edgardo Masongsong of the National Elecetrification Administration to “immediately recall” Engr. Lalas from his post and declare the position of Casureco II General Manager open and pending the selection and appointment of a new GM, an officer-in-charge should be appointed. Lalas has been accused by the city councilors of incompetence and poor management that proved detrimental to the interest of the power coop’s member-consumers and the general public. The two resolutions, which have yet to be assigned their respective numbers upon approval by City Mayor John Bongat, have been authored jointly by City Councilors Lito del Rosario and Vidal Castillo. The resolution took to task Engr. Lala’s alleged dilly-dallying and indecisiveness over the much-clamored relocation of electric poles in the city and neighboring municipalities within the area of jurisdiction of Casureco II. The resolution reminded NEA Administrator Masongsong that the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) issued a joint memorandum mandating the relocation of electric post and transmission lines that have encroached on roads and street following the DPWH road widening projects. Numerous accidents had been reports in Naga and environs due to hazards and obstructions posed by the road protruding electric posts after the widening of roads. The resolution further noted that Casureco II, thru PS/AGM Lalas, has submitted to DPWH its computation of probable expenses, duly approved by NEA, on the relocations of the posts. What kept the joint memorandum at bay was the differences in the computed amounts for the relocation expenses by Casureco II and DPWH. “Whereas,” the SP resolution states, “while the position of Casureco II and DPWH are both respected,” it becomes more urgent to ensure public safety such that the city council passed Resolution No. 2018-306 requesting the power coop to utilize the portion of its Reinvestment Fund for Sustainable Capex which is being collected monthly from the electric consumers themselves to fund the relocation of the electric posts. To this, Lalas replied negatively explaining that the RFSC may not be used for such purpose as they are intended for future projects of Casureco II. The DPWH had made its own computation for the amount needed to compensate for the posts to be relocated by linemen of Casureco II. In the midst of this conflict on computation for the amount needed to relocate and compensate for the relocation of posts Lalas insisted that the coop needs to construct aanother 20MVS substation in Bgy. Del Rosario, Naga City in the amount of P39.6M. Councilor Del Rosario, a former member of the Board of Casureco II, said that a 20MVA substation had just been built inside the Casureco II compound, also in Bgy. Del Rosario, two years ago. “There is an imminent danger being posed by the electric posts to the riding public which is more imperative to address than the so-called expansion project being insisted by Engr. Lalas whose urgency is not immediate in nature,” Del Rosario said. The twin resolutions also resolved that copies of the same be furnished Presidential Adviser for Bicol Affairs Marvel Clavecilla to take appropriate assistance in protecting the interest of the member-consumers and the general public within the area of jurisdiction of Casureco II. The city council endorses Casureco I General Manger Ana Sylvia Alsisto to replace Lalas as project supervisor of Casureco II.