NEA energizes 8 M consumers

The National Electrification Administration (NEA) has energized the eight millionth consumer under its Rural Electrification Program.

NEA Administrator Edita Bueno said this landmark accomplishment reflects the concerted efforts of NEA and its partner electric cooperatives in pursuing the mandate of total electrification in the countryside.

She said the consumer belonged to the Samar II Electric Cooperative, Inc. (SAMELCO II), adding that five ECs that contributed to the most number of additional consumer connections served.

These are the Bohol I Electric Cooperative, Inc. (BOHECO I) with 6,627; the Batangas II Electric Cooperative, Inc (BATELEC II) with 5,427; the Lanao del Sur Electric Cooperative, Inc. (LASURECO) with 4,626; the Cotabato Electric cooperative, Inc (COTELCO) with 4,245; and the Iloilo I Electric Cooperative, Inc. (ILECO I) with 4,233.

ECs in Region III (Central Luzon Region) put in the most additional consumer connections with 28, 533 followed by Region VII (Central Visayas) with 26,478 and Region VIII (Eastern Visayas) with 22,993.

Based on the record of NEA’s consumer connections, the one millionth consumer was reached in 1979 at Virac, Catanduanes; two millionth was recorded in 1982 at Malasiqui, Pangasinan; three millionth in 1989 at Upper Katungal, Sultan Kudarat; four millionth in 1996 at Patikul, Sulu; five millionth in 1999 at Caluya, Antique; six millionth in 2003 in Leyte, Leyte; and seven million in 2005 at Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon.

“We would like to commend all the electric cooperatives which have contributed, big or small, in the realization of this milestone. They are certainly the beacons of hope, providing electricity service to our people, be it in the boondocks or in isolated islands,” Bueno said. — Donnabelle Gatdula