Protest
BAGUIO CITY, Philippines—Consumers in Abra province have started a petition urging President Aquino to order a take-over of their rural electric cooperative, which was spared for a second time from a disconnection notice from its power supplier last week.
Abra faced a major power loss on Nov. 17 because Abra Electric Cooperative (Abreco) failed to pay its P30-million arrears to Aboitiz Power Renewables Inc. (Apri).
Abra was confronted with the same problem in January 2013 when Apri terminated Abreco’s supply contract for reneging on its payments and for issuing 15 unfunded checks to Apri during the duration of the contract, the Apri website said.
But the police and the Department of Energy (DOE) intervened, convincing Apri to agree to a conditional extension of the contract.
Last week, however, Abreco announced that Apri again sent it a disconnection notice.
On Nov. 18, Abreco advanced P9.7 million of its P16-million obligation for its November consumption, stopping the shutdown.
But consumers began circulating the petition on Thursday, shortly after 700 people gathered at a church in the capital Bangued town to hold a prayer rally against Abreco, said Carmencita Bersalona, a local peace convener, in a telephone interview.
In their petition to the President, a copy of which was sent to the Inquirer on Saturday, the consumers asked Aquino to send “a team of financial, technical and management experts from the National Electrification Administration (NEA) to immediately take over the management of Abreco.”
The consumers also urged Aquino to review the audit reports and prosecute the people responsible for Abreco’s alleged mismanagement.
Their petition cited a Feb. 4, 2013, affidavit purportedly signed by Abreco general manager Loreto Seares Jr. who promised the DOE he would resign should he fail to settle the debts being collected in 2013.
Transparency
Bersalona said consumers were outraged by the absence of transparency regarding Abreco’s operations and its debts.
She said consumers were entitled to answers concerning the utility’s performance, but Abreco had not called a general assembly since 2012.
Instead, Abreco announced it would hold elections in December for the members of its board of directors whose terms had expired, she said.
The consumers urged Mr. Aquino to “help us solve the worsening problems of our cooperative especially in the past three years.”
“Abreco [had] failed to pay [Apri] the monthly electricity purchased by the cooperative leading to seven notices of disconnection, [the] latest of which was on Nov. 17, 2014,” their petition said.
“Two [previous electricity supply] disconnections had actually taken place. In one occasion, the provincial government of Abra even used its calamity fund as approved by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan to pay NGCP (National Grid Corp. of the Philippines) for [the power supply] to resume,” it said.
“There are deep financial, technical and institutional problems [in Abreco] as indicated in the Comprehensive Audit Report of the NEA covering June 2010 to June 2013,” the petition said.
It said this included P400 million in arrears being collected by Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp.
Bersalona said consumers representing 10 percent of the Abreco general membership had filed two resolutions, on Nov. 28, 2012, (with 4,332 signatories) and Jan. 9, 2013, (with 3,239 signatories), seeking a special general assembly. Abreco had not addressed the resolutions, she said.–Vincent Cabreza, Inquirer Northern Luzon
Read more: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/652424/abra-folk-urge-govt-to-take-over-power-co-op#ixzz3JwAZ7J00
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abrenian.com 
NO AWAN KONSINTIDOR AWAN REBOLOSTION
Posted by KAWITAN | November 23, 2014, 4:28 pmPudno Kawitan. Saan la a kosintidor no di ket bunga ti politica daytoy problema ti Abreco. Amin nga director ket candidato dagiti mayor. Ket ania koma ti kinatao dagiti mayoress? Personal interest ti kapatgan. Ti kuarta ken turay napatpateg kadakuada ngem panangipateg ti dayaw ken ayat ti tao ken ti Dios. The influence of company does not fail – BIRDS WITH THE SAME FEATHERS FLOCK TOGETHER – CORAKOTAN,
Our move as consumers for immediate change is our only hope. TAMA NA, SUBRA NA,
Posted by Tagamasid | November 23, 2014, 5:24 pmthen ask koliglig to publiclycondemened GM and his intention to investigate the graft that has been long over due. if he can do that il not commenting him anymore in this blog.
Posted by eric shawn | November 24, 2014, 5:07 amThis is not to take any side, ERIC SHAWN. But Gov Takit already said that mismanagement was the cause of the mess at ABRECO. He even went a step further and asked why the results of the comprehensive audit by NEA was not made public. Now compare that to the decision of the Bangued LGU to refuse to grant a permit to the rally applied by members of civil society, the Church and the youth using the lame excuse that it would polarize the citizenry. That was the reason why a vigil at the premises of St. James the Elder Cathedral was held last Thursday. Would you condemn the governor for taking the side of the people? What can you say about the action of Bangued LGU resulting in the curtailment of the constitutional right of the people to peaceably assemble and seek redress for their grievances? The governor is not perfect, ERIC. Like you and me and each of us, he has his share of shortcomings. He may have neglected some of his duties in the past. But a person can change, can he not? I have seen positive changes and I appreciate them. If you notice, until the end I was trying to ask Madam Omli to take the side of the people. That is due to my belief that people can change for the better if they so wish. Only the humble can change their ways, ERIC, and only the strong can forgive. Let us see the glass as half -full instead of always seeing it as half-empty. We need everybody to work with us and help us build a better, kinder and gentler society.
That aside, ERIC, I respect your opinion and will defend your right to express it.
Posted by Pedro Abreno | November 24, 2014, 3:36 pmi just want to hear the governor that he really want accountability for those involved in corruption in abreco . i suggest that post in this web his condemnation.
Posted by eric shawn | November 25, 2014, 6:19 amPEDRO ABRENO you are absolutely right. Takit has at least taken the side of the people but has he really? He has not made public denouncement of what is happening in Abreco. Remember that during the time that Abra’s power was cut off, the governor, thru the provincial board allotted 5 million to partially pay for Abrecos debts. This sum up to now, according to reliable sources have not been liquidated because GM seares refuse to sign that he received such amount. This is something fishy! we could only speculate why.
The suppression of the right of the citizenry to peaceful assembly by the LGU Bangued is a clear sign that the leadership of Bangued is now backing the GM.Remember the vice mayor of bangued is the brother of the GM. Political maneuvering has already started. Dominic vs Takit!
Madam Omli has been blinded by the papers shown to him by the GM and his cohorts. She has not really seen the NEA audit report.
Posted by mario bang | December 3, 2014, 10:40 pmThese sacred cows of abreco be held liable for all their ill gotten wealths…..i understand that this was their family source of income since they assume office…..they acquired luxurious cars, big and beautiful houses, condos, send their children to prominent universities and holding multiple bank accts to different commercial banks…..
Posted by Rabong | November 23, 2014, 7:05 pmsiasinu dagiti sacred cow iti ABRECO?
Posted by LUBNAK | November 24, 2014, 1:05 amMARIO BANG, in due time we will see if Gov. Takit has honestly taken the side of the people. As I have written before, I see positive changes and I welcome them. At this time I am giving the governor the benefit of the doubt. If it turns out that his actions of late were done just because they were politically correct and nothing else, then he will suffer the ignominy of defeat. The sum of money given through the provincial board to help pay the arrears of ABRECO was reported to Pres. Noynoy Aquino in the letter signed by consumer/members. It was done as a last recourse because the GM and the BOD of ABRECO have acted as though they owned the cooperative.
I absolutely agree that this early, political alliances have been formed. It is just unfortunate that even the management of ABRECO has been included in the equation. As for Madam Omli, I believe she has lost her credibility and that too is most unfortunate.
I appreciate your vast knowledge of the situation obtaining in our province.
Posted by Pedro Abreno | December 4, 2014, 12:31 amApo madaydayaw nga general manager iti abreco. Pangngaasim apo ta pasahodannakami koman. Kaasi ti pampamilyamin nga nairamraman iti madi nga panangimanehar mo iti abreco yo. Inikkat mo amin nga benepisyo kada alawans min haan koma metten a nga madelay ti sahod uray ta nagling etan mi met deta. Panunotem koma met ti rigat mi apo honorable madaydayaw manangngaasi naigloriaan unay unay nga good gm. more power apo gm, to you be the glory forever amen.
Posted by empleyado | November 24, 2014, 1:40 amMadam Carmelita Omli
Ikakaasinakami
Madam Carmelita Casti
Ikakaasinakami
Posted by cokeyn | November 24, 2014, 1:53 amWow EMPLEYADO, sa likod ng ginagawa ni Gm na pang sarili, kung tawagan mo pa parang banal pa rin na tulad ng Dios! No wonder, abra is exploited by people who don’t deserve to be there. Ano ba yan, Gising na taga Abra!
Posted by Capitan | November 24, 2014, 10:10 amNasayaat ti kabibiag k0 tatta ditoy dubaien kakailian. nasayaat la 0nay ta awanakon dita abrec0n ta agrgrigatak k0ma nga kas kenni empleyadon tattan
Posted by COKEYN | November 24, 2014, 2:09 amAmmok ti kababalin ni Jun Seares. Nalaing isuna a tao, kasla madiak mamati kadagiti pammabasol kenkuana. Simmawsaw lang ket ti pulitika, isu ti ammok nga gapuna. Kayam dayta GM batch, pagsubok lang yan, ibangon mo ti abreco!
Posted by COKEYN | November 24, 2014, 5:23 amAbra citizens are entitled to a transparent financial report/records of ABRECO. I think this report would divulge the truth behind non-payment of ABRECO’s bills to APRI. Consumers/members are forced to pay their individual bills, or their power are cut-off, where are the collected payments spent? ABRECO needs to show how much they collect monthly and how much money goes to the personal funds or pockets of some abreco employees/ghost employees, specially GM and board of directors. A GM SALN maybe? Just blabbing due to frustration, that’s me.
Posted by Giron Gustavo | November 24, 2014, 9:26 pmNalaing kayo nga agpatang but you do not have the balls to disclose your identity. Just relax and enjoy every moment the power of electricity has to offer.
Posted by COMLI2013 | November 25, 2014, 1:10 amIf only the gm and his family would fight back fairly and squarely! do u still recall an instance where they intimidated a local journalist by firing several bullets to her home? Now ms comli, if you happen to be here in abra now, its your time n your gm to enjoy every moment together privately while it last( lust)……hehehe
Posted by Rabong | November 25, 2014, 4:36 amWhat is more important Madame? The name behind the opinion or the opinion behind the name?
Posted by short-circuit | November 25, 2014, 1:32 pmWhile it last? What do yo mean RABONG? Hit us with a long distance bullet? Dont try to intimidate us! Youre cowardly hiding in your aliases, just reveal yourself if you have the balls! Be careful with your words! Were just using the available remedies under the law, to uphold the right of every member consumer, to have uninterrupted light to every home, is that not good? Salus populi est supreme lex, the welfare of the people is the supreme law. Think of the welfare of the people, dont be makasarili
Posted by COMLI2013 | November 25, 2014, 6:31 amThe real cowards are those who maim and murder defenseless people with impunity. They are very treacherous. They make sure their victims have no chance to defend themselves. They are surounded by bodyguards and goons. They cannot walk the streets of Bangued alone. Marjorie Bandayrel Trinidad of DZPA in an interview with GM Loreto Seares Jr. early on in his term as GM of ABRECO questioned how he could have amassed so many luxurious vehicles in such a short time as GM of ABRECO. The home of Marjorie Bandayrel Trinidad was peppered with bullets from automatic weapons after her husband was threatened by the GM. Everyone in Bangued knows the financial capacity of the GM’s family. Now, who is the coward? The GM has so many bodyguards. Why? He is not a government official. We are the people fighting for a more competent, transparent and honest management of ABRECO affairs. The remedy is to have a complete change of leadership in ABRECO. That is as clear as we can get. How we wish the genuine servants of the people will help us.
Posted by Pedro Abreno | November 25, 2014, 2:59 pmAgain I say amen to your comment PEDRO ABRENO. Complete change of leadership!
We long to be run by good leaders but have we done our part? We want to change the leadership in Abreco but we are keeping and embracing the politicians who dip their hands into its affairs. Elections for the different zone directors are going to be held this December, I do hope that the citizenry would not be again blinded by their faith in these politicians and not to follow their wants and qualms, dictating the person they want to be director. We could only achieve the end result we long for if we the consumers vote for the right person and not being imposed upon by politicians. Remember it is the board of directors we will put into office that has the right and power to remove the GM or retain him.
Posted by mario bang | December 3, 2014, 11:01 pmI agree absolutely, MARIO BANG. It all starts with us. Health permitting, I have done my little part in the move to change the management of ABRECO with competent, honest and independent-minded people. Under the present management, a continuous and efficient power distribution has been compromised. A regular report about the finances of the cooperative is imperative. “To whom much is given, much is required”.
We must inform the comsumer/members about the ills plaguing ABRECO so they can make an informed and prudent choice during the district elections. We must remain watchful and vigilant and be ready to report any and all local executives who do acts that would tend to influence the outcome of the district elections. They can be charged with graft because of the existence of the law that prohibit such acts.
Posted by Pedro Abreno | December 4, 2014, 12:49 amComli perhaps you also know this “vox populi vox Dei” the voice of the people is the voice of God. This statement maybe the same with your proposition, the welfare of the people is the supreme law. Just advice Seares to leave
abreco.
Posted by Rimat | November 25, 2014, 11:54 pmCorrupt is the answer
Posted by Drew | November 25, 2014, 4:31 pmMabuhay ang mga politikong Sakim. hindi na talaga magbabago ang Abra. Walang maabuso, kung walang magpapaabuso. Ang mga lokal na tao ay takot ipaglaban ang kanilang mga karapatan. isa lang masasabi ko, DUWAG ANG MGA TAGA ABRA
Posted by NOWER | November 25, 2014, 4:36 pmHindi naman siguro duag tayo kundi ginagamit lang ang kunting utek. Gusto mo bang magpakabayani na mag-isa o iilan lang kayo? Gusto rin siguro sumama ang majority na labanan ang mga buwayang ito subalit sino ang mangisakit sa kanila? Mga pulis/military o ang ating matatapang at malilinis na Court judges? Sa mahihirap na karamihan kaya ang papanigan ng mga ito o kung sino ang magpabulsa o magbigay ng personal na pabor sa kanila? Ang sabihin mo, ang katulad nila Duterte, Trillanes, Lacson, at Lim ang kailangan natin ditto sa Abra. Tingnan natin kung kaya pang walang-hiyain ng maski sino: politico, pulis, korte, pribadong mandarambong, thief non-elected govt officials/employees, etc. etc. O kaya banugbugin natin si DLG Sec. Roxas na medyo bugkawan naman niya ng kunti ang mga pulis niya para maski papaano mag-Duterte naman siya para tatahimik at giginhawa na rin ang Abra. Pag nangyari ito aywan ko lang kung hindi nya lalayusin pag kumandidato siya dahil siempre agwaras ang magandang balits na ito, hindi lang sa Pinas kundi sa buong mundo ba-back-up sa kanya.
Posted by tangkin-tabungaw | November 25, 2014, 5:08 pmI AM A DOG OF KOLIGLIG WHEN I DECIDED TO COME HERE IN DUBAI …ITS THE ONLY WAY TO GET OUT FROM A MISMANAGE ABRA AND LIVE FREELY….
STARTING A NEW LIFE HERE IN DUBAI WAS TOUGH IN EXCHANGE WITH MY OWN FREEDOM…
AND SECURITY…. THANK YOU LORD I THOUGHT MONEY IS GREATER THAN FREEDOM BUT I WAS WRONG SO PLEASE FORGIVE ME
MAGBAGO NA KAYO GOVERNOR KOLIGLIG NGAYUN MAY ORAS PA KAYO,,,,,NO MABALIN LA KOMA KET AGPARINTUMENGAK MANIPUD DUBAI AGI GA ABRA KET ARAMIDEK MAPAKAWAN NAKLA NI APO KET ARAMIDEK APO KOLIGLIG
Posted by MAXI | November 30, 2014, 12:53 amThe right hand is gone TO DUBAI and left hand popoy is the only one left………..WHO IS NEXT….
Posted by BIBINKA | November 30, 2014, 1:01 amLeo nolasco make it fast time is running low for you to ask tongpats from mayors and contractors, a lady mayor from upland who was SSPS educated from elementary to college reported to koliglig the corrupt practice of Nolasaco wherein the intended fund for infra was deducted the sop already yet Nolasco still asking his share but koliglig did nothing nor investigate the reports. in short he let it happen period.
Posted by eric shawn | December 2, 2014, 4:12 amMen of the cloth in Bangued, Abra have written another letter to Pres. Noynoy Aquino. In a letter signed by 31 members of the clergy including Bishop Jaucian, they asked the president to postpone the district elections scheduled by the ABRECO management in the second week of December until such time that the mess at ABRECO is resolved. The scheduled district elections is not the answer to the problems of ABRECO.
Posted by Pedro Abreno | December 4, 2014, 2:43 pmDistrict Election cannot happen not because of the reason mentioned by Pedro Abreno.
Making the Election happen is in violation of the By-Laws. There was no Election Guidelines approved by the Election Committee, and the Election Committee were NEVER notified of the Election.
Election Guidelines per NEA law must be submitted to General Assembly for approval.
Abreco BOD must convene the Election Committee first to formulate the Election Guidelines.
Lastly, Abreco By-Laws must be followed since it is a “cooperative”.
Posted by comli2013 | December 8, 2014, 8:24 pmMore than ten percent of the consumer/members have signed a petition asking GM Jun Seares to convene an assembly twice. But an assembly has not been convened since then. Why is GM Seares so afraid to face the consumer/members? The GM and the board of directors are pushing through with the district elections on Dec.,13 and 14, 2014. They think it will legitimize their continued stay at the helm of ABRECO. Now, you are telling us that the elections cannot be held. If GM Seares and the board of directors of ABRECO push through with their plan to hold the elections, are you going to condemn their illegal act, or would you again say for the nth time that we must support GM Jun Seares and help him institute reforms at ABRECO?
Posted by Pedro Abreno | December 11, 2014, 3:05 pmmadam omli, the scheduling of the district elections to be held on Dec 13 and 14 was one of the demands of the parties that attended the meeting at the DOE sometime in October. It was one demand that has to be followed or else Abra’s power would have been cut. So your idol GM seares has no choice but to follow.
madam omli, if you are talking about a general assembly making the approval first before any election, there would be no election that will happen at all. Because it is really the ploy of YOUR IDOL GM SEARES not to call for a general assembly as he has successfully done for so long in spite of the calls of the member/consumers. So if you are telling me that a general assembly must be done first, you are really helping jun seares to cling on to dear power and continue plundering ABRECO.
i agree with pedro abreno that your idol should stay sober for just only 3 days and face the member/consumers. if he has anything good to say, stop whining to Sec Petilla and face the people accusing him of corruption. I suggest that you accompany him, so you could counsel him, and show to us that your idol is as you say a very good person.
Posted by mario bang | December 11, 2014, 9:22 pm