Electrification project in Naga launched

THE Visayan Electric Company (Veco) has launched its electrification project in Naga City, Cebu with a ceremonial switch-on last June 20 at the Naga City gymnasium.

The project covering 22 sitios in Naga is a result of the funds generated from AboitizPower generation companies and Veco’s electrification efforts.

Under Energy Regulation 1-94 (as amended) and corroborated by Section 66 of Republic Act 9136, power companies are required to set aside one centavo per kilowatt hour of its total electricity sales to fund electrification, development and livelihood, reforestation, watershed management, and health and environmental projects for its host communities.

The administration of the funds will be undertaken by the Department of Energy (DOE) through trust accounts.

The DOE directed Veco to proceed with the electrification expansion for the 22 sitios in Naga.

“Duna na gyud kami suga. Sa una, magto-on ang mga bata sa kangit-ngit. Karon, salamat sa Veco, ang atong kabataan makato-on na gyud pag-ayo (Finally, we now have electricity. Before, our children studied in darkness. Thanks to Veco, our children can now study better),” said Calixto Parba, a councilor of barangay Patag, one of the beneficiary barangays of Veco’s electrification project.

The ceremonial switch-on was graced by DOE Regional Director Antonio Labios, Naga City Mayor Valdemar Chiong, Aboitiz Power Corp. associate vice president for Special Projects and Business Systems Management Danel Aboitiz and Veco Chief Operating Officer Sebastian Lacson.