With 251 votes, veteran journalist Joseph Zambrano was elected as District 3 Representative and a member of the Benguet Electric Cooperative (BENECO) Board of Directors, defeating retired BENECO Department Manager Alejandro Delos Santos, who garnered 172 votes.  

Along with him, Alex Bomogao of District 1, Roseller Ascano of District 4, and George Dumawing Jr. of District 9 were also declared winners, all of whom were unopposed.  

The newly elected district representatives will join the six existing members of the Board of Directors.  

In total, BENECO now has nine board members, but two representative seats for District 6 and District 11 in Baguio City remain vacant.  

According to BENECO, there is still no resolution from the National Electrification Administration (NEA) regarding the appointment of a District 6 representative, while the District 11 candidate was disqualified for failing to meet the qualifications set by BENECO.  

However, BENECO assures that special elections will be held to fill these vacancies before the end of the year.  

**Vanessa Bugtong