Two of Bohol’s tourism gems, Balicasag and Pamilacan Islands, now have power 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Gov. Edgar Chatto and Panglao Mayor Nila Montero led switch on ceremony for 24/7 power in Balicasag Island on Monday.
They were joined by NAPOCOR Department Manager Engr. Pete Llorente, BOHECO 1 General Manager Engr. Dino Roxas, Cong. Rene Relampagos represented here by Archie Lungay, 302nd IB Commander General Arnulfo Matanguihan, and Philippine Navy Col. Jorge Ibarra.
On Tuesday, Chatto and Pamilacan Brgy. Capt. Crispo Valeroso led switch-on ceremony for 24/7 power operations in Pamilacan Island.
They were joined by Baclayon Kagawad. Derwin Cuajao who represented Mayor Benny Uy, NAPOCOR department manager Engr. Pete Llorente, BOHECO 1 Engr. Mejorada Glenn Mejorada, Archie Lungay representing Cong. Rene Relampagos, and barangay officials of Pamilacan.
This kicks off 24/7 energization of Bohol Islands under the Small Power Utilities Group (SPUG) of NAPOCOR, a commitment of the Department of Energy under Sec. Al Cusi and NAPOCOR president Pio Benavidez.
Chatto lobbied for the round the clock power supply for the islands during the 34-country Asian Cooperation Dialogue on sustainable and reliable power in Bohol in August, where Cusi himself visited both islands. After which, Benavidez directed Llorente to implement 24-hour electrical service to the two islands.
When he was congressman of the first district, Chatto placed Cuaming and Hambongan in Inabanga; Mantata-o in Calape; Cabilao in Loon; Balicasag, Panglao; Pamilacan, Baclayon; and Bag-ong Banwa, Batasan, Bilanglangan, Mocaboc, Pangapasan, and Ubay in Tubigon under NAPOCOR-SPUG, the switch on for which was during his birthday, February 21, 2008 in Cabilao.
The incorporation of the twelve islands in the missionary electrification program of NPC-SPUG, entitled electricity consumers in the islands to financial support from the Universal Charge for Missionary Electrification (UC-ME) pursuant to R.A. 9136 or the Electric Power Industry Reform Act, commonly called the EPIRA Law, where the assistance to consumers shall come via NPC-SPUG’s sale of electricity at a subsidized rate.
This significantly brought electricity cost way below P25/kWh rate.
For residents of Balicasag and Pamilacan Islands, round the clock power is a fulfillment of a long-time dream, expressing their gratitude to Chatto and NAPOCOR team.
Chatto and NAPOCOR-SPUG officials are mapping out what islands to be fully energized next.
Llorente bared NAPOCOR-SPUG is eyeing the same for islands of Bilang-Bilangan Dako, Bilang-Bilangan Diot, Hingutanan East and Hingutanan West, Malingin, Maomawan, and Sagasa in Bien Unido as well as Cataban in Talibon for 2018.
The 24-hour power program in Bohol islands will be thru generators or solar power, or a mix of these technologies, seen to enhance economic productivity and growth and to improve living condition. (Leah/EDCOM)
