NEA Confirms Licoben as BENECO GM

BAGUIO CITY: The National Electrification Administration (NEA) confirmed Engr. Melchor S. Licoben as BENECO's General Manager.

In his November 21, 2023 letter to Task Force BENECO Chairperson Steve Cating, NEA Administrator Antonio Almeda informed the interim board of NEA's confirmation of their Board Resolution 2023-245 “ appointing Engr. Melchor S. Licoben as General Manager on a Performance Management Contract (PMC) Basis for a Period of One Year.”

Licoben's PMC is effective November 7, 2023 to November 6, 2024. His performance as GM will again be evaluated by the NEA after the one year contract.

His accomplished PMC was submitted to NEA last November 14, 2023

“ We are all happy with the NEA confirmation of our resolution appointing GM Mel (Licoben), from the very beginning he has been my choice because he was the most articulate. We are also grateful for the swift actions of Admin Almeda. He really meant well,” Interim Board Member, Elma Donaal expressed.

“ The vetting process was followed, the NEA recommended him being the lone applicant who hurdled the strict vetting process, and we appointed him,” Pastor Rodolfo De Guia, member of the task force BENECO, shared.

“ We can all now do all our official functions, especially the GM, with NEA's confirmation, De Guia added.

Licoben will be sworn in by NEA Administrator Almeda in an official ceremonial installation as is customary for new GMs. We will discuss this in our next board meeting, according to De Guia.

In their resolution 2023-245 that was confirmed by NEA, the Interim Board manifested “ The Task Force believes and agrees that Engr. Melchor S. Licoben is irrefutably qualified to assume the position of a general manager of BENECO in view of his vast experience and familiarity with the operations of BENECO.”

“ The interim BOD fully supports the NEA confirmation of Engr. Licoben as the GM of BENECO. We are confident that GM Licoben has the proper tools to lead BENECO in the future. These tools are strong balance sheet, a dedicated workforce, and the support of the BENECO shareholders. BENECO is in good hands,” Interim BOD Chairperson Steve Cating said.

“ The confirmation by NEA is a vindication on his part and a validation of the member consumer owners clamor for his appointment. This time NEA has performed its regulatory function with the welfare of the EC in mind. This should restore the mutual trust and goodwill that all stakeholders have for one another. From hereon the MCOs are assured of the usual BENECO service par excellence,” according to Atty. George Dumawing, also a member of the Interim Board. **LSI