NEA embarks on massive systems loss reduction program

The National Electrification Administration has embarked on a massive systems loss reduction program while intensifying efforts to energize more rural areas, NEA Administrator Conrado Estrella III announced yesterday.

Estrella said that the reduction of systems loss would enable electric cooperatives to provide reliable and affordable power and help boost agricultural productivity, pave the way for investments, and make the Filipino people competitive in the new century.

"Electricity is not only a vital cog in economic progress but also the spark plug for research, science, information technology and human resource development which are important tools for competition," he explained.

He launched the systems loss reduction program last week with the release of subsidy funds to the First Laguna Electric Cooperative (FLECO) that would enable it to repair overloaded transformers and improve power service in the province.

He released the checks in full view of local officials, cooperative members and consumers "in keeping with our policy to be participatory, transparent and accountable."

Estrella expressed confidence that with the subsidy, FLECO would be able to reduce its systems loss from about 27 percent to only 17 percent.

He said that systems loss is included in the billing of customers, and the reduced loss would eventually result in lower power bills.

At the same time, he said, NEA would intensify its efforts to energize at least 1,000 more barangays this year.

"I am confident that we could bring energized barangays from 74.5 percent to about 78 percent this year," he said.

At the same time, Estrella reiterated his memorandum instructing electric cooperatives not to entertain people dropping his name or claiming to be his relatives to gain undue advantage in doing business with cooperatives.

"We will not tolerate this hanky-panky," he stressed, amid reports that some individuals have been dropping his name. --