The First Decade: The March of Light Across Rural Cebu

(Editor’s Note: This is the speech delivered by Cebu Rep. Eduardo R. Gullas before delegates to the 119 rural electric cooperatives belonging to the Philippine Rural Electric Cooperative Association last August 5 at the SMX, Mall of Asia as part of the International Convention on Rural Electrification. Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile delivered a speech on behalf of the Senate, while Gullas spoke on behalf of the House of Representatives.)

My incumbency as Governor of Cebu from 1976 to 1986 was the first decade of the Cebu Electric Cooperatives i, ii and iii.I witnessed the symbolic erection of the first pole on March 15, 1976 and the energization of Barili, 6 months later. And 6 years later, February 1982, I switched on the ligths for the town of Tuburan, together with the Administrator Gen. Pedro G. Dum

In one long talk with my very good friend, then administrator Pete Dumol, whom I most highly respect, I made one fraternal request – please appoint for Cebeco II and III the best from among your men: He made a counter – request, he said, if you recommend two from Cebu, I’ll appoint them. I recommended for Cebeco II, now Congressman Benjur Salimbangon, and for Cebeco III, Fr. Francisco G. Silva. He agreed to serve as general manager for only one year. Well, you know the rest of long wonderful story.

For one decade, I worked side by side with both of them, with their respective directors, managers and associates. It was my fortune and great joy to get involved in the romance and adventure in energizing the whole of Cebu.

In those years, there was this joke in Cebu, particularly in the Office of the Governor that I was serving as Cebeco right of way coordinator, isd manager, billing supervisor and team leader of our linemen.

One colorful case: There was this man who owned a kilometer long land of both side of the street who would not allow our electric lines to pass. My good friend, the City Mayor of Toledo city, Noling Lebumfacil, whose younger brother, Terry is now the incumbent Cebeco III president, visited him in his house, pleaded with him, not once but three times. His answer … adamant no. I pleaded with him, still no. The people were stoning his passenger buses, and still no. Well, the happy ending, he finally said “yes”, when the bir regional director subpoenad all the books of all his businesses.

My dear friends, electric cooperativism is worth working for, worth fighting for.

What’s happening in Cebu, I am sure, is also happening in your respective provinces. Rural electrification has triggered for Cebu economic development, employment for thousands and provided for the Cebuanos the amenities of modern life. All factors considered, the rural electrification is verifiably the most successfull program of government in the last 4 decades.

My friends, having worked as government official for long both in the excutive and legislative, I rate nea’s performance now on a scale of 1 to 10 - at perfect 10!   The men and women of nea have actualized their corporate culture of honesty, maximum efficiency and total solidarity. And may I pay a tribute to the incumbent administrator Edith – whom I have known as a close friend and partner for 30 years. She is great.

To all the 119 electric cooperatives whom you represent, my friends, I pledged my support, stay with nea. Help Philreca to be strong. And by the way, I am now a full pledged member of ecap, the electric consumers advocacy of the Philippines, sworn by no less than your very own Sec. Francisco G. Silva.