Remote areas in Masbate gain access to electricity

MANILA, Philippines - Just like a typical Filipino man, Critito Bulandra, chairman of Barangay Jamorawon in Masbate province, bonds with his friends through drinking sessions.

However, one thing could prod him to quit these sessions to return home – his favorite telenovela.

 “I would tell them (his drinking buddies), ‘Sige diyan na muna kayo. Agua na eh (I’ll go ahead. Agua is on),’” Bulandra told The STAR, referring to the ABS-CBN television series Agua Bendita.

“The number of hours I spend drinking with my friends has been reduced because I watch the drama series,” he added.

While such reasoning seems to violate the macho culture among Filipinos, it reflects how the lives of Masbateños in far-flung areas have changed now that they have access to electricity.

This was made possible through the Philippine Rural Electrification Service (PRES) project of the Paris Manila Technology Corp. (Pamatec), which has provided electricity to around 18,000 families in the province.

Because of PREC, people in areas that were not attractive to investors now have new forms of amusement and even livelihood opportunities.

“People here love to watch telenovelas. They were very excited when they heard that we will be having electricity,” Bulandra said.

The village chief said his constituents are also fond of belting their favorite songs on the karaoke, locally known in the area as “Kanta Singko.” Those who wish to sing are charged P5 per song, hence the name.

Bulandra claimed the electrification project somehow helped them control population growth in their village.

“People now have other forms of entertainment. Before, it was dark at 6 p.m. Families had nothing to do but sleep early. After that, the number of their children increased,” he said.

The project also allowed students to study their lessons at night. Jessica Abelita, a resident of Cawayan town, said before the completion of the project, students used kerosene lamps.

“Now that we have electricity, the children can study even until 11 p.m…We can also watch DVD movies,” she said.

Bulandra said the electricity also encouraged the people to set-up sari-sari stores that serve as sources of livelihood.

“Before, people had to travel to buy ice for their drinks. Because of the electricity, they do not have to do that. People also save on travel costs,” he said.

Loan makes power grid possible

The PRES was implemented through a French loan worth 17.5 million euro. Completed last December, the project seeks to improve the living conditions of Masbateños by providing them reliable access to electricity.

The project involved the installation of mini-grid powered by diesel and solar panels representing 11,518 and 5,129 connections, respectively. The project has illuminated 665 barangay facilities and commercial establishments and a total of 860 streetlights.

Pamatec took care of the installation of the systems while multinational firm ETDE was the equipment supplier. The National Power Corp. (Napocor), being the borrower of the loan, was in charge with the overall supervision of the project.

“My passion is reducing poverty by creating development. We are very proud of this project,” said Pamatec president Hubert d’Aboville in an interview.

Ireneo Abuan, Pamatec project engineer, said PRES also gave residents access to cheaper electricity. He said before the project was completed, some families had to rent power generators which would require them to shell out P150 per light bulb. Other appliances were charged separately, depending on the amount of power they consume.  

With the installation of the diesel generators and solar panels, residents are only asked to pay P110 per month. The rate reflects subsidies provided by Napocor, which is tasked to support the government’s missionary electrification program.

Benevolent spirit

Apart from these economic benefits, the PRES also instilled a benevolent spirit among the residents.

Christopher Fernandez, operator of a generation set installed by Pamatec in Cawayan town, agreed to donate 225 square meters of his land for the project. Fernandez was one of those who leased generators before PRES came to their village.

He used to earn more than P400 a day from the generator rentals but decided to forego it so his neighbors would have cheaper electricity.

Pamatec, however, did not limit itself to electrification efforts. The firm tied up with Handicap International, a Nobel Prize-winning NGO, to provide the needs of disabled persons like wheelchairs and artificial legs. The Filipino-French firm also partnered with the Ayala Foundation for the provision of computers and Internet connection to 23 public high schools in PRES communities.

Pamatec likewise coordinated with the BIP Foundation of France for the delivery of surplus medical equipment to Masbate health centers.

Future plans

Pamatec will also develop a biofuels project in the province, wherein copra will be used to produce blended fuels for the diesel mini-grids installed under PRES.  

“The equipment for the extraction of biofuel will arrive in September 2010 and will be given to Napocor free of charge through the sponsorship of Shell Philippines,” d’Aboville said.  

When asked how he intends to recover the cost incurred from his developmental projects, d’Aboville said: “One day you will die. Is it important for you to be very rich?”