Paleco crafts sustainability plan

MANILA, Philippines — Palawan Electric Cooperative (Paleco) is crafting a comprehensive sustainability plan to sustain the improvement in its power distribution system.

The sustainability plan was ordered by the National Electrification Administration (NEA) as Paleco achieved significant gains after the creation of a task force whose main function is to speed up the power coop’s rehabilitation.

“NEA has required Paleco to establish a comprehensive sustainability plan to protect the gains of the cooperative,” NEA deputy administrator for technical services Artis Nikki Tortola said.

“So far, Paleco has responded positively to such challenge. We are hoping that by Nov. 15, 2019, this plan will be in full effect and will be the bible of Paleco in terms of ensuring that the system is very reliable,” he added.

The sustainability plan covers Paleco’s programs and activities, as well as possible cooperative policy amendments and procedural enhancement.

“This would also include distribution design development and innovations,” Tortola said.

NEA earlier created Task Force Kapatid Paleco composed of 10 electric cooperatives (ECs) from Luzon and Visayas.

Each EC deployed six technical personnel with necessary equipment and logistics to aid Paleco in undertaking rehabilitation activities of power lines within its coverage area.

Rehabilitation works of Paleco started last Aug. 16, and the ECs were expected to stay in the province for at least three months.

“The task force has cleared major problematic areas on vegetation, insulated 15.8 km and an additional 9.6 km. Replaced dilapidated structures, converted single phase line to three phase, among others,” Tortola said.

He said NEA has also established deadlines for Paleco to complete other projects according to what is agreed on the Palawan Sustainable Advisory Council.