BENGUET Electric Cooperative (Beneco) is appealing to all local government units to lessen requirements to residents applying for electricity.
In line with the target to electrify its coverage, Beneco suggests the implementation of minimal prerequisites in various municipalities in Benguet and Baguio City.
Beneco service officer Merlie Landocan said the suggestion hopes to fast track the installation of power lines in the next few years.
Landocan added the fees and lengthy process of permits are one of the many the barriers, which disallow them to connect electricity particularly in the far-flung areas of Benguet.
"Sana gawin nilang mas simple ang requirements. If they can allow then we can speed up the installation of power in each household thus reaching our target for the local electrification project we are conducting," Landocan told Sun.Star Baguio.
The Beneco officer added the LGUs should take advantage of the existing National Intensification Household Electrification (NIHE) project subsidized by the national government.
Landocan said NIHE intends to provide basic electricity services to poor households with no access to electricity.
This initiative by the DOE is in line with the implementation of their 2014-2017 Household Electrification Development Plan (HEDP), which aims to achieve 90 percent household electrification by 2017.
Bokod, Itogon, and Kabayan have agreed to lessen requirements for electrical connections.
In Kabayan, minimal application requirements will be processed at the municipal office, while Bokod and Itogon agreed to lower the requirements to presentation of tax declaration and barangay certificates accordingly.
“Kung sana masundan ito ng ibang municipalities particularly ng capital town of La Trinidad and the neighboring City of Baguio who are among those who have numerous requirements then perhaps we can include them in the NIHE implementation,” Landocan quipped.
Landocan added the project, which will end on 2017, is expected to be launched this October.
Meanwhile Beneco general manager Gerardo Versoza said they are eyeing to fully energize Benguet.
Versoza said it would be unfair for local residents in the different parts of Benguet if they will not benefit from having their own power connections while the cooperative is implementing the national project backed by the national government.
“This is the problem if we can connect power to one area and its adjacent mountain has none, they will judges it as unfair which is in the first place ayaw namin mangyari especially if meron naman silang access,” Versoza said.