Administrator Edgardo Masongsong has called on the public to use electricity wisely by being more conscious of their viewing habits, urging them to watch shows that would give them knowledge and valuable information instead of those that are made purely for entertainment.
The National Electrification Administration (NEA) chief expressed these thoughts in a nearly 30-minute keynote speech he gave on Thursday (August 30) at the inauguration of the new headquarters of Nueva Ecija I Electric Cooperative, Inc. (NEECO-1) in San Isidro, Nueva Ecija.
Masongsong recognized the fact that the rural electrification program in 49 years has allowed more Filipinos to gain access on television and other forms of mass media but he is hoping they are using these to educate themselves as well.
“Sana nanonood tayo ng balita; nanonood tayo ng mga programang maghahatid ng kaalaman tungkol halimbawa sa pagnenegosyo dahil ito ‘yung adhikain ng rural electrification,” the NEA administrator said.
“Sana ang tagumpay ng rural electrification program ay magtuloy-tuloy… Sana hindi lang hanggang panonood ng teleserye o hanggang entertainment ang dala ng programang rural electrification. Sana maitawid natin [mula sa] kahirapan [ang] ating mga kababayan,” he added.
A study released in March last year by Kantar Media, a global media intelligence firm, said TV remains as the top media platform choice of Filipinos in rural and urban areas despite the presence of social networks and the Internet.
“Time spent watching TV increased in the last two years to 3.7 hours from 3.4 hours. Primetime programs between 8 pm to 10 pm are the most watched,” according to its 2016 survey from a base of 10,000 respondents.
Masongsong reiterated that there are still about 12 million Filipinos nationwide who are mired in poverty because of their lack of access to reliable electricity service. In the province of Nueva Ecija alone, approximately 24,968 households remain unenergized.
To date, Nueva Ecija has served 94 percent or 401,132 household out of its 426,100 total potential connections.
Masongsong congratulated the Nueva Ecija power distribution utility for ensuring active stakeholder engagement in its affairs through the dedication of its new office building to the member-consumer-owners.
The NEA chief likewise told the NEECO-1 management led by general manager Bonifacio Patiag, his staff, and their Multisectoral Executive Council (MSEC) to keep working hard so they can sustain their growth.
“You cannot sit on your laurels. You have done so much, you have accomplished so much, but please do not be complacent. We still have a lot of things to do in order to realize the vision of rural electrification, which is rural development,” Masongsong said. ###