Power issues in Benguet, Occidental Mindoro, Maguindanao resolved, says NEA

MANILA, Philippines — The National Electrification Administration (NEA) considers resolving power supply problems and other issues faced by electric cooperatives in Benguet, Occidental Mindoro, and Maguindanao as among the agency’s major accomplishments this year.

In a statement, NEA chief Antonio Mariano Almeda said the electricity situation in Occidental Mindoro has improved following a period of crisis.

NEA worked with Occidental Mindoro Electric Cooperative Inc. (OMECO) and its electricity provider, the Occidental Mindoro Consolidated Power Corp. (OMCPC), to expedite key energy generation projects in the area.

Almeda visited the province last month to inspect the OMCPC agrivoltaic farm, among other power plants, which is expected for commissioning later this month.

He said the solar plant is already 92 percent complete.

According to NEA, the completion and commissioning of the solar power plant will pave the way for an application with the Energy Regulatory Commission to grant a provisional authority in favor of the power supply agreement between OMECO and OMCPC, making them eligible to apply for the universal charge for missionary electrification subsidy.

Almeda likewise welcomed the resolution of a dispute in Benguet Electric Cooperative (BENECO). A Task Force BENECO earlier teamed up with NEA to settle a leadership dispute in the cooperative.

He expressed gratitude to electric cooperatives in Mindanao, which answered his call and extended their support to Maguindanao Electric Cooperative Inc. (MAGELCO).

He said MAGELCO’s distribution services and collection efficiency have improved because of upgraded facilities.

NEA is mandated to carry out the total electrification of the country on an area coverage basis, with the 121 ECs as the implementing arm.

It has called on all electric cooperatives to comply with the 2024 to 2028 projected number of potential consumer connections to attain the country’s accelerated total electrification plan.

Based on NEA’s 2028 total electrification plan, the target is to increase potential consumer connections under electric cooperative service areas nationwide by 1.359 million.

It has vowed to achievw total electrification of the country by 2028, a goal that President Marcos has vowed to push during his term.