The National Electrification Administration (NEA) has ordered the postponement of district elections of electric cooperatives (ECs) following the government’s declaration of a state of calamity in the country due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
NEA Memorandum No. 2020-010 postponing the conduct of district elections of all ECs nationwide until the declaration of a state of calamity is lifted was issued by Administrator Edgardo Masongsong on Wednesday, March 18, 2020.
ECs are to adhere to the requirements set forth in Republic Act No. 10531, otherwise known as NEA Reform Act of 2013.
“The conduct of district elections of electric cooperatives is hereby deferred until such time that the declaration of the state of calamity throughout the country is lifted,” Masongsong stated in his memorandum to ECs.
He also reminded the ECs to adhere to the requirements set forth in Republic Act No. 10531, otherwise known as NEA Reform Act of 2013, and its Implementing Rules and Regulations which state, among others, that an EC director in order to remain as such must continue to possess all the qualifications and none of the disqualifications throughout his or her term.
The memorandum is effective immediately, said Masongsong.
President Rodrigo Duterte on March 16, 2020, signed and issued Proclamation No. 929, placing the Philippines under a state of calamity to curb the spread of COVID-19 cases in the country.
The declaration of a state of calamity, which will be in effect for a period of six months “unless earlier lifted or extended as circumstances may warrant,” allows the national and local government units to utilize appropriate funds, including the Quick Response Fund, in their disaster preparedness and response efforts against COVID-19.