The board of directors of the Benguet Electric Cooperative created a committee that will investigate allegations of corruption by coop officials as well as rank and file employees as contained in an unsigned letter but which was submitted to the coop’s management, the directors, and even city hall.

In their regular session on Tuesday, General Manager Gerardo Verzosa suggested for the creation of a committee that would look into the allegations. The BOD agreed, with Director Michael Lawana suggesting an executive committee should immediately conduct an in-depth inquiry into every accusation that the writer/s narrated.

The letter mentioned Verzosa, line maintenance supervisor Zacarias Torres, head of Maintenance, Ricardo Pallogan, a certain Beneco employee identified as Jayson Wayet, and several other unnamed employees.

“The allegations are very serious. I was even mentioned,” Verzosa said during their meeting.

The supposed writers said Verzosa is favoring an automobile store in La Trinidad that charges the cooperative at high cost.
Those applying for electrical connection are also allegedly given preferential attention if they bribe linemen.

Pallogan is also said to be spending more time as consultant of the Kalinga Electric Cooperative than at the Beneco.

The letter also contained issues such as the presence of factions among the coop’s employees and those who lack discipline by coming to work late or they have other jobs that have the same schedule as that of their work in Beneco.

The Beneco management also allegedly does not show concern about the safety of its linemen who often become victims of electrocution.

The writers asked the Beneco board to “professionalize” the hierarchy of authority in Beneco. They also called for the replacement of Verzosa and Pallogan.

The Beneco board will discuss the letter in their special meeting on Sept. 12.