NEA releases subsidy for Bicol power co-ops

Fifteen barangays in Albay and Sorsogon will soon enjoy electric services with the release of subsidy funds for line expansion and loans for system upgrading and rehabilitation by the National Electrification Administration (NEA).

NEA Administrator Conrado Estrella III turned over the checks to electric cooperatives during a week-long swing of the Bicol region.

"The NEA is addressing the need of farming communities, the consumer base of electric co-ops, for electricity to power their post-harvest facilities and processing plants and, thus, boost their productivity and income," Estrella said.

He said the NEA under the Estrada administration is committed to deliver reliable, efficient and affordable electricity, which is a prerequisite to sound economic development of farming communities in the countryside.

"The NEA is moving ahead full-steam to support other development projects of the government, especially in unserved and underserved areas," he said.

In his meetings with local officials and electric co-op members, Estrella asked for their help to encourage good payment habits among consumers and to assist in the drive against power pilferage and lower system losses.

He said that lower system losses and sound financial management of electric co-ops translate to lower cost of electricity, better maintenance and upgrading of system facilities.

During his regional visit, Estrella looked into the operations of Albay Electric Cooperative Inc. (ALECO) which has been suffering from high system losses and mismanagement.

Estrella was apprised of the problems the co-op is facing due to high system losses which had been attributed to connivance between pilferers and co-op insiders.

ALECO's system losses, as of January this year, reached 29 percent, way above the 14 percent ceiling set by Republic Act 7832 or the Anti-Pilferage Act.