DAVAO del Norte Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Daneco) has recently powered the home of the 12 millionth beneficiary of the government's Rural Electrification Program (REP).
“We are proud and elated tungod kay buhi ang programa sa gobyerno nga pasugaan ang atong mga kabanikanhan dinhi sa atong lugar and DANECO never failed to deliver kay in fact, kita, ania sa ato ang ika 12 milyon nga benepisyaryo sa tibuok nasud (because the program of the government to power the rural areas is well underway as we welcome the 12 millionth beneficiary of the program),” Troy Jagunos, Task Force Duterte-Northern Davao Power-PRO, said in an interview.
Part of the celebration of the National Electrification Awareness Month this August is the Ceremonial Switch On of the 12 millionth consumer.
The 12 millionth beneficiary is Rocie C. Dongon, whose home was energized on May 25, 2017. Dongon is a resident of P-B, Blk. 8, Lot 9, PAGCAMASAN, Apokon, Tagum City .
Dongon and his family has always had an impression that having an electricity are only for those in the city.
The family has not watched anything on television; enjoyed cold water; or stored any food for later consumption since they do not have any electricity. If it is too hot they only use a hand fan.
Hence, with their home being energize through the government's REP, the family saw this is as a great blessing for them
A symbolic lighting will be held today, Friday, August 25, 2017, at the house of Donggon.
Expected to attend the lighting activity are NEA Administrator Edgardo Masongsong, Department of Energy Alfonso Cusi, Speaker of the House Representative Pantaleon Alvarez, and Tagum City Mayor Allan Rellon.
Sitio Electrification Program (SEP)
Dongon is just one of the beneficiaries of the Sitio Electrification Program in the area.
In 2015, some P111.57 million has been alotted for the entire Davao del Norte and Compostela Valley for the SEP.
“Tagum City alone is the recipient of some P27 million worth of the SEP budget,” Jagunos said.
Despite the fast development of Tagum City, Jagunos said a number of its sitios and residents still have no electricity.
The cost of wires and poles remained to be an issue.
Daneco has always coordinated with the local officials in pursuing the program.
The program is not only implemented in Tagum City but also includes its rural areas that is covered by Daneco.
“Ang Sugang Dagitab dili dapat para lang sa mga maka-afford. Useless usab kini kung kutob lamang sa mga sentrong lungsod ang mapasugaan. Ang rural elektripikasyon nga programa sa gobyerno ang atong pag-asa (Electricity is not only for those who can afford. It is useless if only those living in the city center are enjoying it. The government's REP will allow other areas to enjoy electricity),” TF Duterte NDP Secretary Rey Nagar said.
12 million consumers energized
For the month of August, the National Electrification Administration (NEA) is also celebrating its 48th Founding Anniversary. For nearly half a decade, the agency led the government's program in powering the different areas in the country.
As of August 2, some 12 million households have already been energized.
NEA Administrator Edgardo Masongsong said the partnership of NEA with electric cooperatives, like Daneco, on REP has allowed the government to energize 78 provinces, 90 cities, 1,385 municipalities, 36,051 barangays, and 118,632 sitios as of May 31, 2017.
“This connection is a landmark achievement of the rural electrification movement and an auspicious event in the program, not only because we are celebrating the 8th National Electrification Awareness Month, but also because this represents the compassion of the Duterte Administration by bringing electricity services to the poorest of our countrymen,” Masongsong said.
Jagunos said, “There are still more sitios to energize. Even in the cities like Tagum and Samal, there are still areas that need to be energized. Task Force Duterte-Northern Davao Power will never tire pushing for the massive electrification in DANECO. Karon pa nuon na we have Administrator Masongsong who is so supportive of us."
NEA is eyeing to energize some 2,410 sitios for 2017 and 1,800 sitios for next year. (PR)