DOE chief inaugurates P9.7-M power project

A total of 27 community development and electrification projects worth P9.7 million were inaugurated yesterday by Energy Secretary Mario Tiaoqui during simple ceremonies in Barangay Pooc, Balayan, Batangas.

Aimed at helping uplift the quality of lives of Balayan residents, these community development and electrification projects affirm the Department of Energy's (DOE) commitment to reach out and look after the welfare of every Filipino, especially those living in the countryside.

"These projects which were implemented by the National Power Corp. (Napocor) for the residents of Balayan are in response to the Estrada administration's policy of providing basic services to the marginalized sector of the Philippine society," Tiaoqui said.

"My department (DOE) fully supports the pro-poor program of President Estrada that's why we make sure that direct benefits are accorded to everyone, especially residents of communities hosting power plants and facilities," the energy chief stressed, adding that this has been one of his department's policy directions aside from making sure that the country is provided with sufficient and reliable power supply.

Among the community development projects which were turned over to Balayan residents include health centers for barangays Pooc, Duhatan, Dilao, District 3, San Juan, Sampaga, Dalig, Santol and Taktak. Day care centers were also constructed in barangays Pooc, San Juan and Sampaga as well as farm-to-market roads for barangays Pooc, Caybunga, Sampaga and Baclaran, riprapping of canal in barangay Cayponce, and seawall/breakwater project for barangay Baclaran.

The areas benefited by the electrification project, on the other hand, were barangays Caybunga, Durungao, Putol, Dalig, Tanggoy, Duhatan, Munting Tubig, Carenahan, District 9, Gumamela, Sambat and Sucol.

With the implementation of these electrification projects, Tiaoqui said that Balayan residents should "feel very lucky because unlike towns in some parts of the country, Balayan is now fully energized since the remaining unelectrified sitios are now provided with electricity."