National Electrification Administration (NEA) Chief Edgardo Masongsong led the inauguration and formal energization of the new power substation and drive-thru collection office of Isabela I Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Iselco I) in San Fermin, Cauayan City.
Joining Administrator Masongsong in the inauguration ceremony of the newly-built substation last week were Iselco I General Manager Virgilio L. Montano, Board of Directors President Presley C. De Jesus, Director Conchita M. Palencia and other officials.
General Manager Montano said the P50-million facility, which has already been operational since March, has a capacity of 20 MVA (megavolt amperes) to improve power system reliability and stability in the towns of Cauayan City, Cabatuan and Luna.
The general manager said the energization of the power substation is very timely “to cater to the abrupt increase” in the demand, particularly in some parts of Cauayan City. With the new facility, he said, their member-consumers are now experiencing less power interruptions.
“Maraming naging technical impact niyan sa amin. Kapag may mga outages hindi na affected ‘yung areas because meron na kaming substation,” he further said.
Montano likewise revealed their plan to construct another substation and drive-thru collection office in the Municipality of Echague this year to ensure better and uninterrupted power supply in the area and the towns of San Agustin and Jones.
Conceptualized to make it easier for the member-consumers to pay their electricity bills, the San Fermin drive-thru collection office is Iselco I’s second drive-thru collection office. The first one is located along the National Highway of Barangay Batal, Santiago City.
Meanwhile, Administrator Masongsong commended Iselco I for its commitment to improving services to its member-consumers. He also encouraged the power distributor to continue working hard to sustain its excellent performance.
“I hope that we will be working hard to sustain what our electric cooperative has achieved so far because there will be more challenges ahead of us kaya kailangan talagang kumilos at i-sustain ‘yung ating excellent performance bilang isang electric cooperative,” the NEA chief said.
After the inauguration of the new power substation, Administrator Masongsong met with Iselco I’s Board of Directors and officials of the North Eastern Luzon Electric Cooperatives Association, Inc. (Neleca) where he presented anew the latest policy thrusts of the NEA in line with his seven-point agenda.
Iselco I is one of the two electric cooperatives in the province of Isabela. Included in its franchise area are the following: Cordon, Santiago City, Jones, San Agustin, San Mateo, Ramon, Echague, San Isidro, Alicia, Cabatuan, Luna, Angadanan, San Guillermo, Cauayan City, and Reina Mercedes.