City gov’t power cut,
CENECO padlocked
BY CHRYSEE SAMILLANO

The Central Negros Electric Cooperative disconnected the power connection of the Bacolod City Hall, new government center, Libertad Market and other government offices early yesterday morning citing the city’s failure to pay its accounts with the power firm.

As a result, the Bacolod City government padlocked the administrative building of CENECO after revoking its Mayor’s Permit for its failure also to pay its franchise taxes and real estate property taxes to the city.

CENECO president Vicente Sabornay said the city failed to pay its account with CENECO within 48 hours despite the letter they sent on Dec. 19, 2008 and another reminder a few days ago. “But if their heart is hard and they have no intention to pay, there is nothing we can do,” he said.

The Bacolod police said they will work to maintain peace and order in the renewed escalation of conflict between the city government and the Central Negros Electric Cooperative that led to the padlocking of the business firm after it disconnected power supply to the City Hall yesterday.

Senior Supt. Ronilo Quebrar, Bacolod City Police Office director, said he has directed Senior Insp. Danilo Francisco, Police Station 4 commander, to assist the Bacolod City Legal Office Enforcement Unit as it watches over the CENECO Building at Ciocon Road, in the city.

Quebrar said they will work to ensure that there will be no physical violence between City Hall employees and CENECO personnel.

Health Regional Director Ariel Valencia yesterday cited Dr. Epifania Simbul as a “good soldier” for doing a good job at the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital.

At the same time, he instructed Dr. Domingo Vega, who reassumed his post as hospital chief yesterday, to continue the gains and programs initiated by Simbul while she was serving as officer-in-charge.

Valencia met with Simbul and Vega yesterday to implement the DOH order signed by Secretary Francisco Duque III on Dec. 10, 2008, directing Vega to report back to CLMMRH and assume his regular duties, while giving Simbul a new assignment at the National Children’s Hospital as Chief Medical Professional Staff II.