Valley allots P2M for repair of streetlights

LA TRINIDAD, BENGUETP2 million was allotted for the repair of busted and maintenance of streetlights in the municipality after Benguet Electric Cooperative turned over the work of maintenance of streetlights.

Mayor Romeo Salda disclosed the funding in the supplemental budget of the town will be for the purchase of LED lights and bulbs.

The 16 barangay captains were also asked to submit an inventory of streetlights including non-functioning and when it stop functioning.

Salda said the municipal engineers of the town are making rounds to further validate streetlights that needs repair. For the maintenance and repair of streetlights, he also urged stakeholders and former electric cooperatives to work in the municipality.

"We insists on MOA with Beneco but they

(Beneco) insists that they do not already want to handle the repair of streetlights, at this time we are not ready," Salda said.

To recall, Beneco entered a contract with Benguet towns and Baguio City for the maintenance of streetlights, however, the power distributor said it will no longer conduct repair and maintenance work as they are losing money.

Salda said he is hopeful Beneco will have a change of heart after their scheduled meeting later this year.

Previously, Beneco assistant general manager Melchor Licoben penned the mayor May 20 urging the town to finds means to absorb the cost of maintenance of streetlights.

Licoben, in the letter, said the terms of the contract are no longer feasible for Beneco and the cooperative has informed the town of the earlier predicament.

B0eneco provided options for the electric cooperative to bill the town 10 burning hours for electric consumption of the streetlights equivalent to 20% discount but the town has to handle the maintenance.

Other option is that Beneco will bill the town 12 burning hours and handle the task of maintenance but the costs of labor and materials will be paid by the local government unit.