Residential consumers of the Central Negros Electric Cooperative, Inc. (CENECO) can now be spared from the 30-centavo per kilowatt-hour rate increase, thanks to the move of its officials and to the swift intervention of at least a congressman.

Rep. Jose Carlos "Kako" Lacson last night told NDB that CENECO management has already received the payment deposit of PSALM representing the November and December MRR advanced by Ceneco.

Ceneco recently made an appeal for the intervention of Negros Occidental congressmen, mayors and other officials for the disbursement of the November and December MRR, so that residential consumers of the electric cooperative— those in Bacolod City, Bago City, Talisay City, Murcia and Don Salvador Benedicto towns, will no longer be burdened by the 30-centavo PKWH increase.

The appeals were made by Ceneco board through its president, Engr. Ed Gasam-belo and general manager Jun Lagarde.

Lacson, in the same text message to NDB, quoted Ceneco GM Lagarde thanking him for his intervention.

"Cong., we just confirmed yesterday afternoon the payment deposit of PSALM to our account. I wish to convey our profound appreciation for your quick intervention that triggered the swift disbursement of the Nov. and December MRR advanced by Cene-co. As a consequence, the residential consumers will no longer bear the burden of 30 centavos per kilowatt-hour increase, Thank you. Jun Lagarde’," the SMS forwarded by Lacson to NDB said.* (Arman P. Toga)