ONLT three villages in Samar remained unenergized through the total electrification program by the Samar II Electric Cooperative (Samelco).
Board president Nicolas Mendova, during the 35th Annual General Membership Assembly (Agma) of the electric cooperative held at the Calbiga town, said as of July 13, only three villages in Catbalogan City do not have electricity.
Mendova said the villages with no connection are located in an island and have no possibility to be connected in an under head connection.
Of the 524 villages, there are around 521 villages have electricity.
Mendova added that Samelco II added 2,994 meter connections in 2012 and subsequently increased its membership to 2,458 in the first quarter of 2013.
“It brings to mind a feeling of pride and fulfillment that in the past 35 years, it has been a strong and effective partner in bringing progress to the province,” Mendova said.
Acting general manager Joey Talon reported that in 2012, the electric cooperative brought electric power to 31 sitios through the government’s Sitio Energization Program (SEP) implemented by President Benigno Aquino III and the National Electrification Administration (NEA).
The sitios are located in the different municipalities across Samar’s second district.
Around 915 household availed free house wiring service materials and labor of a Samelco II accredited electrician, electric meter and service drop wires.
“For this year (2013), 81 more sitios have been scheduled to be energized,” Talon said.
Samarnon households are expected to get a chance to improve their quality of life with the availability of electric service afforded in their respective communities.
Top performing Barangay Power Associations (Bapas) categorized in three groups according to the number of consumers, during the ceremony, were given plaque of recognition and P1,000 cash award during the occasion.
Bapas is an organization in a community that assists Samelco II in meter reading, collecting of payment of electric bills, line clearing, disseminating of information as well as apprehensing of illegal connections.
"The Member Services Department of Samelco II organized some 345 functional Bapas in 2012 to make them competent in performing their tasks. We regularly conduct capability-building seminars,” said Dickson Bernales, education and development supervisor of the cooperative.
Plaques of appreciation were also awarded to outgoing District VII director Mansueto Delovino and officer-in-charge Gervacio Chavez, Jr. (Leyte Samar Daily Express)