THE La Trinidad Municipal Council has issued a resolution reiterating the municipal government’s support for the position of Benguet Electric Cooperative (BENECO) Board of Directors (BOD)-appointed General Manager Melchor Licoben.
The resolution comes amid continued conflict between Licoben’s camp and the National Electrification Administration (NEA)’s appointment of lawyer Ana Maria Rafael , former Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) assistant secretary, as general manager against the BOD’s wishes.
The stalemate continues, and has caused the BENECO inability to access funds in its bank accounts which have been frozen due to the conflict.
The resolution, unanimously carried by the municipal councilors and signed by La Trinidad Mayor Romeo Salda, reiterates the municipality’s support for Licoben, which was first established through two previous resolutions.
“This municipality firmly believes that he (Licoben) is highly competent and technically capable on how to manage BENECO, having served in the capacity of a supervisor, Department Manager, Assistant General Manager, and OIC-General Manager, greatly qualifies him to be General Manager,” the resolution states.
“The officialdom and member-consumers of this municipality is unwavering in its support in the appointment and selection of Engr. Melchor Licoben as the General Manager of BENECO,” it also states.
