VECO to light up more sitios in Naga

CEBU, Philippines - More households in far-flung communities in Naga City are expected to rejoice as the Visayan Electric Company (VECO), the country’s second largest distributor of electricity, launches its electrification project.

In yesterday’s ceremonial switch-on of the multi-million electrification project, Mayor Valdemar Chiong thanked VECO for helping realize the dream of the sitio’s residents especially in the farthest area.

“It is the advocacy of President Aquino III and this local administration that every barangay will be 100-percent energized,” Chiong said in a city council resolution.

Based on a survey conducted, a detailed estimate has been prepared, at least 17 far-flung sitios and 22 barangays in the city need power connection.

The project cost estimate has totaled to P14,713,617.38.

Pursuant to Energy Regulation 1-94 (as amended) and corroborated by Section 66 of Republic Act 9136, power generating companies are to provide financial benefits to its host communities by setting aside one centavo per kilowatt hour ( P0.01/kwh) of its total electricity sales to fund  electrification, development and livelihood, reforestation, watershed management, and health, and environmental projects.

The funds will be entrusted to the Department of Energy (DOE) through established trust accounts.

The electrification projects are to be regularly initiated by the distribution utility or cooperative.

The host communities entitled to avail of the program are the barangays, municipalities, cities, province, and region through the Regional Development Council.

VECO, as the franchised distribution utility owned and managed by the publicly-listed Aboitiz Power Corporation and Vivant Corporation, will initiate the implementation of the project.

The DOE directed VECO to proceed with the electrification expansion in the city.

VECO chief operating officer Sebastian R. Lacson has expressed his company’s gratitude to the city government.

Also present during the ceremonial switch-on were Department of Energy-Visayas director Antonio Labios, who represented DOE Secretary Carlos Jericho L. Petilla and Aboitiz Power Corporation AVP-Special Projects & Business Systems Management Danel Aboitiz.  (FREEMAN)