Bohol power cooperative posts improved performance in ’03

Bohol II Electric Cooperative (Boheco II) has significantly reduced its systems loss from a record high of 17-percent average in 2001 to only 11 percent last year, the Department of Energy (DOE) reported yesterday.

DOE said the reduction has allowed Boheco to pay most of its debts to the National Power Corp. (Napocor).

The improvement was attributed to the Task Force Kapatid and the Big Brother-Small Brother programs of the National Electrification Administration (NEA). The two projects concretize the cooperation between and among the players of the rural electrification sector.

The Task Force Kapatid program gathers volunteers from different electric cooperatives (ECs) to render free services to other ECs which need technical help. It undertakes activities from energization of far flung barangays to the rehabilitation of dilapidated or devastated electric distribution lines. The Big Brother-Small Brother program aims to encourage the better performing ECs to assist the inefficient ones.

In July 2002 by virtue of Big Brother-Small Brother program, Bohol I Electric Cooperative (Boheco I), one of the most outstanding electric cooperatives in the country signed a memorandum of agreement with Boheco II to manage its day to day operations. With Bocheco I general manager Carlos Itable assuming control, Boheco II eased back to financial recovery and better performance.

Boheco II’s collection efficiency has improved to 100 percent from 95 percent in 2001. It has likewise intensified its campaign against electric pilferages. Boheco II’s quality of service has likewise improved with the replacement of 70 new units of distribution transformers. Line and sub-station infrared scanning for hot-spots area are being conducted for predictive, corrective and preventive maintenance.

From category D in 2001, Boheco II’s category has risen automatically to A+. – Donnabelle Gatdula