THE Zamboanga City Electric Cooperative (Zamcelco) will begin this week the implementation of the projects which it will helm in support of the Zamboanga City Roadmap to Recovery and Reconstruction (Z3R) plan.

Zamcelco, based on the Z3R plan, is tasked with electrification – specifically to ensure that the around 6,500 permanent homes to be constructed for the city’s internally displaced persons (IDPs) are connected and have access to electricity and power.

The Z3R is the blueprint drawn by the government for the rehabilitation of the areas affected during the 21-day September 2013 siege.

The local government provides IDP families who have been awarded with housing units with cash assistance of P10,000 for the application process for power and water connections.

To date, Zamcelco’s electrification project for permanent housing areas have been repeatedly delayed.

Ferdie Rodriguez, officer-in-charge of Information Services Division of Zamcelco, explained that this is due to delays in the procurement process, including two failed biddings for the labor component. (Bong Garcia/SunStar Philippines)