Task Force Duterte Lanao Power Hits the Ground Running

Barely a month after Task Force Duterte Lanao Sur Power took over the operations of the Lanao del Sur Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Lasureco), employees of the electric cooperative (EC) are now receiving their salaries on time, as Lasureco Acting General Manager Nordjiana Ducol bared plans to rehabilitate the ailing coop.

“As a result of our active collection activities, we are now able to disburse salaries of our employees without delay. This has led to greater commitment from our people to perform efficiently and unify behind Administrator Masongsong’s thrust for transparency and reform,” Ducol said.

National Electrification Administration (NEA) Chief Edgardo Masongsong activated Task Force Duterte Lanao Sur Power in January this year to review Lasureco’s governance policies and institute needed reforms in the financial, institutional, and technical areas of the EC operations.

Administrator Masongsong said “the Task Force will be on top of reinforcing the vision and mission statements of the coop, as well obtaining the commitment of EC leaders and other stakeholders to hasten the implementation of rural electrification projects in the province.”

According to Acting GM Ducol, collection revenue of the coop surged to Php 7 million from February 1 to 15, 2017 billing period, as against the Php 4 million revenue collected from January 1 to 15 of the same year.

She stressed that the high collection rate of the coop is a result of their regular information dissemination and consumer education campaigns, as well as the ongoing computerization of their billing system.

A quick response team, she said, was likewise formed “to respond to customer complaints and queries within two hours, or as early as possible, and mobilize ground personnel to inspect dilapidated electric poles, overloaded kWh meters, and faulty wiring system.”

Ducol said “all these measures aimed at intensifying our revenue generating capacity have helped us provide better working conditions for our employees and motivate them to be our partners in the rural electrification initiatives.”

According to Administrator Masongsong, “NEA is effecting these reforms not only to boost the morale of the coop’s employees, but ultimately cushion the Member-Consumer-Owners from undue harm brought about by a number of operational challenges that have hounded Lasureco.”

“Through Task Force Duterte Lanao Sur Power, we hope to finally consolidate a good governance platform that will be aligned to the agenda of President Rodrigo Duterte to uplift the lives of the Filipinos, especially the poorest of the poor.”