ALIBUTDAN LEADS PROVINCIAL BOARD ACTION ON ZAMSURECO II TRANSPARENCY PETITION

Daphne Santuyo

IPIL, Zamboanga Sibugay — The push for greater transparency in the operations of Zamboanga del Sur II Electric Cooperative (ZAMSURECO II) has gained formal support from the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Zamboanga Sibugay, with Board Member Eldwin Alibutdan taking a key role in moving the matter forward.

Alibutdan sponsored a resolution endorsing the petition submitted by the YES to ZAMSURECO II Transparency movement, a group of concerned member-consumers and citizens calling for greater openness, accountability, and meaningful dialogue concerning the cooperative.

The measure received the support of Board Member Pepito Yanga, Chairman of the Committee on Energy, and was unanimously seconded by the members of the Provincial Board.

The board’s action follows the earlier appearance of representatives of the transparency movement before the provincial legislature, where they presented their concerns and position paper regarding issues affecting ZAMSURECO II and its member-consumer-owners.

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Rather than allowing the concerns to remain at the level of public discussion, the Provincial Board’s latest action provides a formal mechanism for the issues to be further examined, with the concerned parties being given an opportunity to respond.

As part of the next steps, Board Member Glenn Sabijon moved for the Provincial Board to invite ZAMSURECO II Project Supervisor Atty. Jordanne Chan-Antonio to appear before the body once again.

Chan-Antonio had previously attended a Provincial Board session to respond to questions regarding the cooperative and the challenges it is currently facing. During that initial appearance, she requested additional time to study the concerns raised and prepare possible solutions that could be presented to the board.

Her second appearance is expected to give the Provincial Board an opportunity to hear those proposed measures, receive updates on the cooperative’s situation, and seek clearer answers to concerns raised by its member-consumers.