Saturday, June 21, 2008 1,390 barangays still no power
A TOTAL of 1,390 barangays in the country remain un-energized, the Department of Energy (DOE) said.
But Energy Secretary Angelo Reyes said that of the figure, about 1,300 are within the electric cooperatives (ECs) franchise areas while 62 and 28 barangays are within the franchises of the Private Investor-owned Utilities (PIOUs) and the local government units (LGUs), respectively.
The ECs have energized 96 percent of the 36,030 barangays within their coverage areas serving 7.86 million house connections or 68 percent of their total potential connections benefiting about 45 million Filipinos nationwide.
During the covenant signing for 100 percent Barangay Electrification by 2009 together with ECs and LGUs, Reyes is optimistic that they would be able to meet the 2009 target completion of the program.
"Today is a good day. Not only because we are doing the right thing, but we are doing it right. What could be more right that all of us are doing our share in electrifying the remotest barangays in this country? Together we will be helping our brothers in the countryside reap the benefits of electricity by 2009 and give them their dreams," Reyes said.
The energy chief likewise affirmed government's commitment of funding support, logistical requirements and timeline for completion of projects from all players in the government and private sectors.
The covenant signing is the culminating activity of the series of meetings and workshops conducted by the National Electrification Administration (NEA) with ECs, other players and the Expanded Rural Electrification Program (ER) Team to come up with a doable and definite implementation plan for the 100-percent barangay electrification.
The output was presented to Reyes by ER Team chaired by NEA administrator Edita Bueno who expressed her gratitude to all ECs, donor/funding institutions, and industry partners in speeding-up the implementation of total electrification.
The covenant forged last Wednesday was executed by and among DOE, NEA, National Power Corporation-Small Power Utilities Group (Napocor-SPUG), Energy Development Corporation (EDC), Kepco Philippines Corporation (Kephilco), Team Energy Foundation (formerly Mirant Philippines), Alliance for Mindanao Off-Grid for Renewable Energy (Amore), Department of Agrarian Reform-Solar Power Technology Support (DAR-Spots) and 47 ECs. (MSN/Sunnex)
