Cusi to NEA, Napocor: Address Electric Coop Concerns

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi urged all concerned agencies under the Department of Energy, particularly the National Electrification Administration (NEA) and National Power Corporation (NAPOCOR), to "go down to the cooperatives" and address their issues and concerns.

In a dialogue sought by the officers and members of the Philippine Rural Electric Cooperative Association, Inc., (PHILRECA) led by General Manager Wendell V. Ballesteros, Cusi told them: "It should be the NEA and NAPOCOR who should approach the coops, not the other way around. We have to work together to make household electrification happen especially in Mindanao."

Among the following concerns raised by the electric cooperatives (ECs) were:

(1) Ensure right-of-way for the delivery of electricity, including the interconnection of islands;

(2) Push for tax reforms to address consumer concerns;

(3) Non-privatization of Agus and Pulangui Complexes in Mindanao;

(4) Interconnection of SPUG areas to the main grid;

(5) DOE in cooperation with other government agencies to put up a One Stop Shop and Fast Lane for the processing and issuance of permits and licenses of energy projects;

(6) Clear policy in order to streamline the allocation and availment processes of government financial assistance for EC disaster-damaged facilities and EC disaster preparedness, prevention and mitigation measures and emergency response;

(7) Well-defined authority of the ECs in relation to right-of-way clearing; and

(8) EC provision for buffer stock of critical materials.

The General Managers of the coops around the country who joined the dialogue with the Energy Secretary were Horacio T. Santos of Agusan del Norte Electric Coop., Inc. (ANECO); Victor R. Cada of Quezon II Electric Coop., Inc. (QUEZELCO II); Rodrigo Sacedor, Davao del Sur Electric Coop., Inc. (DASURECO); Atty. Carlos Roman L. Uybarreta, 1 CARE Party-List Representative; Rene M. Fajilagutan, of Romblon Electric Coop., Inc. (ROMELCO); Sergio C. Dagooc of Siargao Island Electric Coop., Inc. (SIARELCO) and Dinagat Island Electric Coop., Inc. (DIELCO); Gabriel A. Tordesillas Sr. of Cagayan II Electric Coop., Inc. (CAGELCO II); Wendell V. Ballesteros of Davao Oriental Electric Coop., Inc. (DORECO); Ludovico D. Lim of Antique Electric Coop., Inc. (ANTECO); Veronica T. Briones of Camarines Sur IV Electric Coop., Inc. (CASURECO IV); Reynaldo V. Villanueva of Nueva Ecjia II Area 1 & 2 Electric Coop., Inc. (NEECO II-Area 1 & 2); and Egdon A. Sabio of Misamis Occidental II Electric Coop., Inc. (MOELCI II).

Cusi recommended that a vulnerability assessment be made to ascertain those highly prone areas to disasters to mitigate effects of calamity.

"Organize yourselves for emergency response, submit your individual disaster preparedness courses of action so we will know how to deal what to do when your area is affected."