Consumer Group to pursue case vs. Casureco II officials

NAGA CITY (Oct. 13) – The Consumer Group still has Camarines Sur Electric Cooperative II (Casureco II) officials in its crosshairs. This according to Renne Gumba, Ateneo de Naga University's Institute of Politics director and the Consumer Group's convenor.
In an interview, Gumba said that in the mediation hearing at the National Electrification Agency (NEA) office in Manila, Bicol Electric Cooperatives Association (BECA) agreed to return the Php300,000 contribution Casureco II made to the APEC party-list group to the coffers of the electric cooperative. In exchange, the Consumer Group was expected to drop the administrative case it had filed against the directors of the said electric cooperative. However, during the group's latest meeting, held at the Ateneo de Naga University, it was decided that the administrative case be pursued, regardless of the return of the Php300,000.
Another NEA hearing is scheduled for October 17, which is also the deadline for BECA's return of the said amount. Gumba said that to date, no news of the amount's return has reached the group. "After the mediation hearing sa NEA, the agreement is that BECA will return the 300,000 (pesos) and after returning it, we will convene again on Oct. 17 to determine whether the Consumer Group will pursue the case or not. But what has happened right now is that the amount has not been returned,” Gumba said.
He also added that even without a mediation hearing, BECA must return the amount because of an outstanding NEA directive. "In fact, it is already a NEA directive that the money should be returned so irrelevant kung may case sila o wala," Gumba disclosed.
Gumba also dismissed reports that there have been direct negotiations between members of the Consumer Group and officials of the Casureco II. He also explained that the purpose of the mediation hearing was to "attempt a reconciliation of both parties – kung pwedeng magkasundo na 'wag na lang ituloy ang kaso."
He also shared that the NEA is "optimistic" because of the active participation of members and consumers of electric cooperatives.
Gumba also hinted the expansion of the Consumer Group, with plans to form a regional network of consumer groups from the different electric cooperatives.
As a final thought, Gumba had this message for the cooperative's consumers: "You have to be very critical about the way the cooperative is being run, the way it is being managed. Nothing should stop us from voicing out our observations and opinions. We should not stop with mere media statements. Some concrete steps should be taken."