Veco spends P.5 M for rewiring project

CEBU, Philippines - As part of their corporate social responsibility program, Visayan Electric Company rewires substandard wires in classrooms, Cebu City Police Office and Cathedral Museum.

VECO community relations manager Eric Ching said that upgrading electrical system demands large expenses for the company however, helps prevent more trouble especially fire.

Ching said millions are spent on building constructions, which could probably just go to waste through fire just because of substandard wires.

Ching added that that they spent P400,000 - P500,000 in total for 317 selected classrooms within its whole franchise area from San Fernando to Liloan. Recipients of the rewiring projects include Cansojong National High School, Pasil National High School, Jugan Elementary School, Tipolo Elementary School, Vito Elementary School, San Fernando Elementary School, Naga Central Elementary School and Mabolo National High School.

“We’re not just doing business with them. We help the community to grow. There is no political intervention here. Our purpose is to give back to the community,” he said.

VECO’S latest electrical upgrade involves the Cebu City Police Office which started last month and is expected to be finished by this month.

Ching noted that the 85% accomplished updating project, which costs to P500,000 – P600,000, began after VECO Executive Vice President Jaime Jose Aboitiz personally saw the electrical wirings within the headquarters and felt the need for rehabilitation of CCPO’s electrical system.

After signing the Memorandum of Agreement with Aboitiz and Ching last February 10, CCPO Director Sr. Supt. Melvin Ramon Buenafe expressed that the improvement of electrical services can greatly help CCPO especially the next generation of officers.

Meanwhile, Ching said that VECO mainly focuses their CSR programs geared towards improved education. Since 2009, they had started providing conducive classroom, fully-furnished tiles, individual comfort rooms, chairs and fans. They also provide library kits, school supplies and computer donations and grant scholarship programs. For this year, VECO has 29 college scholars and 80 highschool scholars.

With the partnership of Aboitiz Foundation and Aklat, Gabay, Aruga Tungo sa Pag-angat sa Pag-asa (AGAPP) foundation (AGAPP) established by Pinky Aquino Abellada, they were able to build classrooms in different public schools to address the rising needs in the field of education. Beneficiaries of infrastructure of classrooms include Leonard Wood Elementary School in Brgy. Jagobiao, Mandaue, Cepoc Central School in Brgy. Tinaan, Naga and Tayud Elementary School in Brgy. Tayud, Liloan.

In coordination with the Department of Education, he added that they evaluate the schools performances like in National Achievement Test and Regional Achievement Test to be chosen as VECO’S recipients, making it a challenge for school principals and teachers.

Furthermore, VECO reforestation project has already reached their target to plant 1 million trees in five years last December 2011. And now, for this year, they are planning to plant 30,000 seedlings of molave and balete in Buhisan watershed since these are good for erosion.

Ching stated that every year, their CSR projects become bigger. “It’s not a one-time deal. It’s continuous. We base our projects in a 5-year development plan,” he said.

Being the first power distribution utility to make useful furniture items out of scrap wood in the country, Visayan Electric Company donates the finished products to barangays, day care and health centers as part of the company’s corporate social responsibility program.

With the help of a furniture shop, the scrap wood are furnished and treated to become tables and chairs distributed for children in various barangays and centers such as Vito Day Care Center in Minglanilla, Brgy. Ermita, Brgy. Pasil, Brgy, Zapatera, Brgy. Tangke in Talisay and Sta. Cruz Elementary School.

Even the Philippines’ largest distributor of electrical power, according to Ching, Manila Electric Company has recognized the sustainability efforts of the company using the scrap wood.

VECO also extends its help to fire victims through relief goods especially now that fire incidents have been simultaneously reported.— (FREEMAN)