Six electric cooperatives (ECs) operating in the Bangsamoro region will receive next week power distribution equipment to help them improve their operational efficiency.
The National Electrification Administration (NEA) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) will lead the turnover ceremony of power distribution equipment and materials, such as boom trucks, transformers, utility poles, and electric wires to the six recipient ECs on April 10.
The six recipients are the Basilan Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Baselco), Lanao del Sur Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Lasureco), Maguindanao Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Magelco), Siasi Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Siaselco), Sulu Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Suleco), and Tawi-Tawi Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Tawelco).
The equipment that will be handed over by the Japanese firm is part of the grant amounting to 771 million yen extended by the Japanese government through the JICA to the Philippine government. The project aims to improve the power distribution system in the Bangsamoro region.
“We expect these equipment to help improve in the operational efficiency of the beneficiary ECs.”
“The rehabilitation of power distribution system of six electric cooperatives in Mindanao is a much awaited project, as this will primarily benefit the member-consumer-owners (MCOs) of the ECs in the region,” NEA Administrator Edgardo Masongsong said.
“We expect these equipment to help improve in the operational efficiency of the beneficiary ECs. We thank JICA for its support to the Philippine government’s electrification program and for promoting development in the Bangsamoro region,” the NEA chief added.
Masongsong also extended gratitude to President Rodrigo Duterte and the Japanese government for their cooperation and assistance, which enabled the realization of the project, and commitment in supporting socio-economic development in Mindanao.
In April 2018, the NEA and Japanese firm Nishizawa Limited signed a contract for the procurement of equipment and materials, including boom trucks and transformers, for the rehabilitation of the power distribution system of the six ECs operating in Mindanao.
The Japanese firm is also in charge of the implementation of training focusing on the handling of insulated wire and operation training of the boom trucks.
Once the installation of equipment is completed, the project will help improve the operations of the six ECs, which are rated B, C and D by the NEA based on the 2017 EC Overall Performance Assessment.
“We thank JICA for its support to the Philippine government’s electrification program and for promoting development in the Bangsamoro region.”
As the lead government agency mandated to carry out the total electrification of the country, the NEA, in partnership with 121 electric cooperatives nationwide, remains fully committed in efforts to reach unelectrified rural communities, particularly in Mindanao.
Based on the NEA data, the number of electricity consumer connections within the coverage areas of all ECs across the country has already reached 12,877,657 as of January 31, 2019.
