VECO rewires three schools this month

CEBU, Philippines -  The Visayan Electric Co., Inc. (VECO) continued to rewire public schools within its franchise area. This August, the power utility replaced all the substandard electrical wirings of three public schools namely, Vito Elementary School in Minglanilla, San Fernando Central School in San Fernando and Naga Central School in Naga City,

The rewiring was done last August 10, 12 and 17, respectively.

“Thanks to VECO because our teachers will not anymore share the expenses of buying circuit breakers and, from now on, we can get rid of the smell of burnt wires from our offices,” said Elsa Abatayo, principal of Vito Elementary School during the turnover ceremony.

VECO Community Relations Manager Eric Ching said the Vito Elementary School is the second beneficiary of the company’s CSR project in education since 2010. “VECO last year donated 10 computer units to Tungkop National High School,” he said.

The school’s 28 teachers and 1,436 students showed their gratitude through a short presentation witnessed by Minglanilla Vice Mayor Hon. Elanito Peña, Vito Brgy. Captain and PTA President Hon. Jennifer Lariosa, Department of Education’s Division O-I-C Mr. Ivo Adam and VECO representatives.

On the other hand, Department of Education Assistant Schools Division Superintendent Judiana Corriente said the San Fernando Central School (SFCS) is fortunate to be a beneficiary of the rewiring because the same would keep the school safe from fire. SFCS PTA President Felipe Pariño himself said the school’s electrical lines have not been rewired for a long time.

VECO Community Relations Manager Eric Ching affirmed Pariños statement, saying the school’s poor physical condition paved way for VECO to implement its rewiring project.

“We knew that the school has stood since 1937 and now its building withh 33 classrooms has become very old with substandard electrical wirings, attractive to fire,” Ching said.

San Fernando Mayor Antonio Canoy who attended the occasion said he is willing to support the upcoming projects of VECO in his town that focuses on education.

Five days after the turnover in San Fernando, VECO turned over the fully rewired 53 classrooms of Naga Central School (NCES).

NCES Principal Mr. Alfonso Misa said the school has never undergone any rewiring. He said that as long as he heads the school, NCES will do its best to properly use electricity and conserve energy. “We will also continue to strive hard to achieve high ratings in the Regional Achievement Test, National Achievement Test and District Achievement Test,” he added.

VECO Vice President for Customer Services Group and Administration Ricky Lacson encouraged NCES to practice Positive Behavior Intervention and Support System (PBIS) in school and at home, in the proper use of electricity and help VECO preach energy conservation.

VECO’s energy audit and electrical-system upgrading project is part of its Corporate Social Responsibility. The project was jointly managed by Aboitiz Foundation, the social development arm of the Aboitiz Group of companies. —/JMO (FREEMAN)