Statistically speaking, before the Sitio Electrification Program (SEP) came, there are 32, 441 sitios/puroks all over the Philippines that have no electricity. In 2011, when His Excellency Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III started his Office, an overwhelming PhP 20 Billion was allotted to energize this number of sitios/puroks, by which majority were found in the far-flung areas of each and every provinces in the Country.
Five years since then, an estimated 32, 688 sitios/puroks were connected to the main grid, a little beyond its target back then. Meaning to say, more and more Filipinos are now enjoying the splendor of having electricity, savoring the convenience it brings, magnifying economic development, and thus further improving the Filipino lives, especially the poor in general.
As part of the social contract of President Aquino with the Filipino people, it is the mandate of his Administration to direct the Department of Energy (DOE) and the National Electrification Administration (NEA) as the supervising agencies of the Electric Cooperatives, to energize the said sitios/puroks. The DOE/NEA – EC partnership is prevailing enough to expect that each and every accomplishment counted can definitely fuel significant and intensive economic development and interference in the lives of the folks in these remote rural areas.
In South Cotabato, there are 1,529 potential sitios/puroks for energization, majority of which are already energized. As of March 31, 2016, a confounding 387 sitios/puroks are energized under SEP with an astounding 6,892 house hold connections all over the province. Also, 50 additional sitios/puroks are already submitted to NEA for fund allocation and 437 more with complete data gathered, are soon to be submitted for fund allocation as well. This only meant that by now, the province is getting more and more viable for sustainable progress due to the unending advantages provided by SEP.
But of course, none of these would be possible if not because of the collaborative efforts of all the implementing arms involved in this Program. SEP also paves the way for the coming together of different government agencies, most especially of various individuals who in one way or another made significant contributions to the success of this Program. With much gladness, this Cooperative appreciates the valuable efforts made by Cong. Ferdinand L. Hernandez and Gov. Daisy Avance-Fuentes, dubbed as the father and mother of Rural Electrification here in the South. With their initiatives and consistent lobbying, Brgy. Ned in Lake Sebu and Brgy. Upper Sepaka in Surallah, the remaining unenergized barangays in South Cotabato, are now finally funded under the Barangay Line Enhancement Program (BLEP) amounting to PhP 48.9 Million and PhP 20.9 Million respectively. The ongoing constructions of lines in these barangays are promised to be completed on or before August of this Year benefitting more than 3,000 potential house holds. By energizing these barangays, their natural potentials shall be maximized ranging from the development of the potential site for colossal coal extractions, to massive production of quality coffee products, and other root crops which will again contribute hugely to the continuing economic advancements of the province.
Furthermore, SOCOTECO-I also recognizes the contributory efforts of the Local Government Units (LGUs) in the actual SEP projects implementation, especially the Barangay Captains. To protect and to improve the already resilient relationship of SOCOTECO-I with the LGUs, it decided to exclusively rely to them the responsibility of line clearing activities. This strategy is done believing that by the involvement of the LGUs, SOCOTECO-I can better able construct and maintain power lines in an easy and efficient way.
And what is the best part with SEP? It is almost for FREE!With SEP, beneficiaries only shell out PhP3, 095.00, cutting the cost of regular connections amounting toPhP 7, 239.60 by 43%.Thus, the average cost per household under SEP is lower, which proves that SEP is cost efficient.
At the latest, the Aquino Administration has approved a total of PhP 22 Billion subsidy assistance to implement SEP covering the 11 Million house hold connections in the entire Country. For everyone to know, SOCOTECO-I has no budget as relatively huge as this, thus, electrification before SEP is then sporadic and is always dependent on the financial capability of the Coop.
Nevertheless, SOCOTECO-I, as a distribution utility, feels fortunate and grateful at the same time for having this opportunity of being the implementing arm of the national government in the realization of its vision for the country’s total rural electrification.With its performance outputs since SEP was first launched, it is overwhelmingly enough for SOCOTECO-I to receive numerous recognitions both in the local and national arenas. The Provincial Government through the leadership of Gov. Daisy Avance-Fuentes, recurrently recognizes the Cooperative’s commitment and effort to implement the total Rural Electrification in the province. Meanwhile, in every Lumens Awards, the most prestigious event conducted to honor the 119 ECs in the Country sponsored by NEA, SOCOTECO-I never missed to receive citations in its exemplary performances as forefront in carrying out SEP.
In conclusion, the Sitio Electrification Program is definitely UNPRECEDENTED as it definitely opens avenues for everyone to come, gather and touch lives. For my fellow South Cotabatenos who live in isolated and far flung areas, you will no longer endure the unfortunateness of having no electricity, we feel you and we would like to comfort you. With SEP, electricity is possible and having electricity means having more opportunities to improve our lives and empower ourselves.