In a move to rehabilitate the ailing Lanao Sur Electric Cooperative, Inc. (LASURECO), new National Electrification Administration (NEA) chief Edgardo R. Masongsong created Task Force Duterte Lanao Sur Power last January 29 to improve electricity service to consumers in Lanao del Sur.
“Thru LS Power, NEA aims to re-engineer Lasureco into an excellently performing distribution utility. Towards this end, strategic initiatives have been drawn to meet specific deliverables,” according to Masongsong.
These deliverables outlined by the Administrator include the conduct of election for regular Board of Directors; the selection and appointment of a competent regular General Manager; the establishment of a lean and mean organizational structure supported by a competent work force; come up with well-informed and participative stakeholders; plan and implement capital expenditure projects towards power reliability, system efficiency and reduced system losses; prevent power curtailment due to power shortages and outages; and achieve management and operational performance targets prescribed under NEA parameters and standards.
The government, through the Department of Energy (DOE) and NEA, has continuously introduced management, technical and financial interventions aimed at improving the operational performance of Lasureco. A total of Php531.9 million subsidies have been infused to the said EC to support electrification projects, including Php69M in 2014 for its Metering Program and Php47.19M from the Transition Investment Support Plan Fund for ARMM in 2011 to fund the electrification of 62 sitios in its coverage area.
An aggregate total of Php92.295M in loans have been released to Lasureco from March 26, 1991 to 2012 for the payment of power accounts, acquisition of various equipment and materials for systems upgrading and rehabilitation, among others. Most of these loans are concessional in nature with 4-6% interest rates, one year grace period and 10-15 years repayment period.
The Task Force, co-chaired by Atty. Goldelio Rivera, NEA Deputy Administrator for Electric Cooperative Management Services, and Ret. General Akmad Mamalinta, of the Sultan Kudarat Electric Cooperative, Inc. (SUKELCO) will serve as an Electric Cooperative Board of Directors prescribed under NEA Bulletin No. 35.
Dr. Nordjiana Dipatuan Ducol, meanwhile, was designated as Acting General Manager to manage the day-to-day operations of the newly-created LS Power and ensure the efficient delivery of service to member-consumers.
Other members of the task force are Atty. Bayan Balt, Engr. Cardawi Macasilang, Engr. Julie Real of MORESCO I, Engr. Amado Kee formerly of MORESCO II, and Engr. Ramon Carlos Florese and Sherwin Mañada of NEA/LANECO.
“With the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte calling for the strengthening of anti-poverty efforts in ARMM, LS Power needs to shape-up to be able provide reliable, efficient and cheap electricity to its member-consumer-owners in support of the government’s poverty alleviation programs,” said Administrator Masongsong. ###