By ADELA DEYAEN WAYAS
www.nordis.net

BAGUIO CITY — Officers of the Association of Barangay Councils (ABC) here said they are in favor of the Beneco Electric Company to manage the operation of the street lights in the city.

During the Kapihan sa Baguio last Wednesday, November 24, ABC president and Councilor Joel Alangsab said it would be better if Beneco manages the operation of the city’s street lights. “They have professional electricians knowledgeable in fixing the lights,” said Alangsab.

He said, at present barangay officials fix the street lights in their respective places. He added that they have a difficult time in requesting new bulbs to replace the fixtures that is why they personally work on the problem. He also pointed out that barangay officials are endangered as they are not electricians and they are not properly equipped.

There are about 6,600 units of street lights all over the city and are currently being managed by the city government. Ten percent of the 6,600 street lights are permanent fixtures.

Beneco General Manager, Gerardo Versoza said their offer to manage the operation of the street lights requires 12 burning hours, two hours higher than the 10 burning hours that the city is doing. It is possible to use LED bulbs he said but it would be costly.

“The city government has to decide if they will transfer the responsibility to Beneco,” Versoza said.

Engr. Rocky Aliping said they have received letters coming from the mayor and city engineer’s office requesting to conduct an inventory of the street lights after typhoon Juan traversed the city. He added that there are barangays requesting for additional street lights but it is the mayor that has authority to decide on matters like this.

Meanwhile, Mayor Mauricio Domogan said in his weekly media briefing that the budget allotted for the electricity of the city for the year 2011 is P46 million. The mayor said the offer of Beneco was already referred to the city council. He said that the city has a plan to purchase and try some LED bulbs next year. He added 40% of the P46 million can be used to buy LED bulbs.# nordis.net