VECO launches dev't academy

CEBU, Philippines - Believing that a skilled and efficient workforce would mean efficient service and better delivery of a more reliable power, the Visayan Electric Company, Inc. yesterday launched and inaugurated the VECO Development Academy in barangay Sirao, Cebu City.

Nestled at the 1.3 hectare property, VECO’s new training camp aims to intensify training and development of its people, whom they consider their greatest resource.

The VDA, which is a 45-minute drive from Cebu City, is a place where VECO employees (engineering, customer services and admin-support) can experience a healthy and wholistic approach in learning technical and non-technical skills and being one with nature.

Jimmy Aboitiz, VECO executive vice president said that the company started to conceptualize the facility two years ago and more buildings will be put up which will be done phase by phase.

“This shows how VECO wants to give the best service in the safest manner,” said VECO president Dennis Garcia.

VECO spokesperson Ethel Natera said that their linemen will be trained for them to be fully equipped especially on how to handle emergency power interruptions and other related power disruptions.

“More brownouts would mean lesser revenues for us. If there are more bronwouts, it would also mean lesser revenues for the businesses,” said Natera.

The newly-inaugurated structure, the Building 1 includes a training room with office and a linemen’s tool room filled with top of the line tools and equipment.

The Lineman’s Training Facility is complete with stamina set-up for basic lineman’s skills and a gamut of structures ready for both de-energized and energized or live line works including tree wire installations.

Natera assured that with their new facility, it does not mean that they will increase their rate, considering that it is part of their maintenance cost.

VECO has 1.73 million customers in its franchise area which covers from Cebu City to Liloan in the North and from Cebu City to San Fernando in the South.  (FREEMAN)