Naga house wiring project benefits over 500 families

CEBU, Philippines — A total of 552 households in the City of Naga, Cebu have gained safer and direct access to electricity through Visayan Electric’s House Wiring Project, which recently reached its final beneficiary community in Barangay Uling.

The project provided complete house wiring to qualified indigent families in 12 barangays, allowing beneficiaries to shift from temporary and potentially hazardous sources of lighting to safer electricity connections.

Among the beneficiaries was Jennelyn Dalaguit of Barangay Uling, who said her family previously relied on gas lamps and an extension wire connected to a relative’s home.

“Life is so hard and dark without electricity,” Dalaguit said, adding that her children previously had to go to their in-laws’ house to do their homework because their home lacked proper lighting.

She said the family’s temporary electrical arrangement was risky but was necessary to meet their basic needs.

Through the project, families can now use electricity for lighting, studying, and operating basic household appliances, according to VECO.

VECO said the initiative is funded through Energy Regulation No. 1-94 (ER 1-94), which provides financial benefits to host communities of energy-generating facilities.

Under ER 1-94, host communities receive one centavo per kilowatt-hour (P0.01/kWh) of electricity generated. Generation company KEPCO is among the major contributors to the funds used for beneficiary communities.

VECO uses the electrification funds to deploy qualified electricians who install safe and complete house wiring in the homes of qualified indigent families.

The company said the project aims to provide households with safer access to electricity while helping improve the living conditions of communities it serves. — (FREEMAN)