State-run National Electrification Administration (NEA) will continue to push for the sustainable development of the nation’s rural communities by providing electricity services to every Filipino household.
NEA Administrator Edgardo Masongsong issued this statement during the 36th Annual General Membership Assembly (AGMA) of the South Cotabato II Electric Cooperative, Inc. (SOCOTECO II) at the City Gymnasium, Lagao, General Santos City.
With the theme “Strengthening Our Pillars of Commitment Towards Service, Members’ Welfare and Empowerment,” the AGMA drew nearly 15,000 attendees. Part of the program was the ceremonial switch-on of the Sitio Electrification and Barangay Line Enhancement Projects (SEP/BLEP) within the area coverage of SOCOTECO II.
In his message before the member-consumer-owners (MCOs) present, Masongsong highlighted the importance of rural electrification to spur development and reduce poverty as envisioned in the “Ambisyon Natin 2040.” Electrification is aimed at improving the living conditions of Filipinos, particularly those in rural and remote areas, he said.
“Hindi pa kumpleto ang rural electrification program hangga’t marami pa ang mga mahihirap. Mangyayari lamang ito kung ang lahat ay umangat na ang antas ng pamumuhay at maaari natin itong marating kung patuloy nating susuportahan ang ating mge electric cooperatives,” the NEA chief said.
Masongsong, at the same time, reiterated his appeal to all MCOs to support the National Center of Electric Cooperative Consumers, Inc. (NCECCO) movement, as well as the proposal to establish an Electric Cooperative Consumer-Owned (ECCO) Bank that will cater to the financial interests of the electricity consumers.
As part of the program, the NEA chief sworn in the newly elected members of the Socoteco II Board of Directors (BOD). He likewise led the symbolic mass oath-taking of the coop’s member-consumers as members of NCECCO movement that seeks to unite and empower all the MCOs nationwide.
Socoteco II is a triple-A rated electric cooperative and recipient of various awards, such as the Single Digit System Loss, EC Best Practice on Corporate Social Responsibility, and Fully Compliant EC on Reportorial Requirements, at the recent NEA Lumens Awards. Its franchise area include General Santos City, Sarangani Province, and Tupi and Polomolok of South Cotabato
It also remains committed to its mandate on missionary electrification. To date, the coop achieved the 100 percent energization of the 205 barangays and is continuing to expand its distribution system to unelectrified sitios and puroks. For 2016, SOCOTECO II completed 141 electrification projects, 109 of which were funded by the coop’s Reinvestment Fund and 32 were from the SEP and BLEP.
To improve power reliability and quality, SOCOTECO II also plans to implement major technical projects, such as construction of 35 MVA Substation for Tambler, General Santos City; construction of 10 MVA Substation for Malandag, Malungon, Sarangani Province; increasing of capacity from 5 MVA to 10 MVA for Tupi, South Cotabato; and uprating of capacity from 10 MVA to 20 MVA for Alabel, Sarangani.