The National Electrification Administration (NEA) sets in motion the Accelerated Total Electrification Program (ATEP) to meet its goal of total household electrification by 2028.
NEA held a roll-out conference earlier this month to present the program and ensure the engagement of all electric cooperatives (ECs). Among its objectives were the harmonization of targets and accomplishments for monitoring and reporting purposes, the presentation of latest policy issuances to guide the ECs, as well as the gathering of insights and best practices for the smooth implementation of the Program.
The roll-out was initially conducted for Mindanao ECs in Davao City with participants from the Davao Region, Soccskargen, and Caraga last March 4 and 5 followed by those in the Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, and BARMM regions held in Cagayan de Oro City last March 7 and 8.
“The implementation of this plan comes with various challenges and the cooperation of all stakeholders, most especially the ECs, is vital for its success,” NEA Administrator Antonio Mariano C. Almeda told participants in a video message, calling for a strong commitment for total electrification.
Briefly, the ATEP covers the three-pronged approach that NEA is currently implementing to achieve its total electrification targets, namely: Barangay Line Enhancement Program (BLEP); Sitio Electrification Program (SEP); and Photovoltaic Mainstreaming (PVM). These projects are intended to connect all underserved and unserved households in the area coverage of ECs, thus addressing the call to deliver electricity for all.
All areas in the project implementation such as the identification of targets under the Local Total Electrification Plan (LTER); project monitoring and reporting; policies on program implementation, including concerns on calamities and disaster are being presented and discussed. This also includes the policy on liquidation of subsidy releases and corresponding memorandum of agreement, as amended.
NEA Deputy Administrator for Technical Services Engr. Ernesto Silvano, Jr. heads the roll-out team with representatives from the Total Electrification and Renewable Energy Development Department (TEREDD); Rural Electrification Project Planning and Development Division (REPPDD); Database Management and Program Control Division (DMPCD); Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Department (DRRMD) and Accounts Servicing Division (ASD).
Also involved in the project was Professor Rowaldo del Mundo, who gave an extensive historical background presentation and discussion of the PVM Program, which is the proposed electrification solution using satellite-based geographical information systems for rapid electrification of far-flung and scattered households.
The roll-out was initially conducted for Mindanao ECs in Davao City with participants from the Davao Region, Soccskargen, and Caraga last March 4 and 5 followed by those in the Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, and BARMM regions held in Cagayan de Oro City last March 7 and 8.
Also lined-up are roll-out conferences for Northern Luzon ECs with expected participants from the Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, CAR, and Central Luzon; Visayas ECs serving the regions of Western, Central and Eastern Visayas; and lastly, Southern Luzon ECs covering Calabarzon, Mimaropa, and Bicol regions.
