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On June 16, senators cast their decisive third-reading vote to hand Benguet Electric Cooperative (Beneco) a renewed 25-year mandate, safeguarding the power supply for Baguio City and 13 other Benguet municipalities.
All 21 senators present backed the franchise measure—none abstained, none opposed. Once the lower chamber adopts the Senate’s version, the bill will be forwarded to the Office of the President for Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s approval.
Beneco General Manager Melchor Licoben called the Senate’s approval a major win for the cooperative. “It is an undeniable assurance that Beneco will remain owned by our member-consumer-owners and we can continue to serve Baguio and Benguet for another 25 years,” he said.
With over 140,000 consumer members and more than 250,000 active electric meter connections across Baguio City and the entire province of Benguet, BENECO remains a key power provider in the region.
The electric cooperative looks forward to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s approval, confident that the measure will be signed into law and allow it to secure reliable power sources and negotiate better electricity rates.
Chris Gonzales, who heads Beneco’s Community Relations Office, noted the President’s consistent attention to public welfare, particularly on vital services like electricity, which directly impact daily life and livelihood.
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Continued public service
For 50 years, Beneco has held the franchise to distribute electricity across Benguet, but that authority is set to lapse in March 2028. The renewed mandate would enable the cooperative to continue serving its existing coverage area, which includes Baguio City and the municipalities of Atok, Bakun, Bokod, Buguias, Itogon, Kabayan, Kapangan, Kibungan, La Trinidad, Mankayan, Sablan, Tuba, and Tublay.
Beneco spokesperson Laarni Ilagan said the cooperative is no longer anxious about the franchise renewal, now that the Senate has given its final approval. She noted, “As early as 2025, preparations were already underway to ensure uninterrupted power service throughout the province.”
If the President signs the bill into law—or if it lapses into law after 30 days—it will guarantee Beneco’s continuous electricity distribution.
The House bill cleared its second reading in the Senate on June 3. This development was a pivotal stage in the legislative process, bringing renewed optimism that the measure would soon gain final approval.
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Poised for the next 25 years of service
Gonzales said the fresh franchise will allow Beneco to secure long-term contracts with power suppliers, helping lower electricity costs for consumers. “Aside from the economic zone in Baguio, we have malls, the water utility service that uses power to extract underground water, we have major schools and almost all regional offices, which necessitate that we ensure a reliable and sustainable power supply,” he highlighted.
Gonzales also shared that BENECO continues to take proactive steps to maintain reliable power, especially during the rainy season. Regular vegetation clearing is a key part of their efforts, as even small branches or pine needles coming into contact with power lines can trigger interruptions.
He added that shifts in weather conditions can affect power lines by causing them to expand, which may reduce their efficiency. To prevent disruptions, maintenance teams routinely inspect and service the lines to ensure consistent service for consumers.
Sources:
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1252257
https://www.rngph.com/senate-approves-25-year-franchise-renewal-for-beneco/
https://baguioheraldexpressonline.com/beneco-franchise-clears-second-critical-senate-hurdle/
https://baguioheraldexpressonline.com/senate-approves-25-year-beneco-franchise-anew/