Lingayen – Total electrification even in far-off sitios in Pangasinan will soon be realized with the support of Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Carlos Jericho Petilla who led the switch-on ceremony for Sitio Electrification Program (SEP) of the national government which benefits thousands of residents on 401 sitios in 15 areas (14 towns and 1 city) covered by Central Pangasinan Electric Cooperative (CENPELCO).
Addressing about 5,000 CENPELCO member-consumers present during SEP’s switch-on ceremony which coincided with the cooperative’s Annual General Membership Assembly held at the Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center (NRSCC) Gym on April 30, Energy Sec. Petilla thanked CENPELCO member-consumers and stakeholders whom he cited as ‘owners of the cooperative.’
“Strengthen support to the cooperative by consistently paying monthly electric bills on time,” the DOE Secretary told the member-consumers as he asked them to adopt measures to conserve energy.
Petilla, a three-term Governor of Leyte (2004-2013), also thanked the province of Pangasinan led by Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr. for extending support to Leyte after it was ravaged by super typhoon Yolanda in 2013.
A month after the Yolanda’s wrath, on instruction of Governor Espino, the provincial government conducted a 10-day humanitarian mission in Dulag and Palo towns in Leyte which included cleaning and clearing operations, medical-dental missions, relief operations, nightly film-showing, and repair and rehabilitation of school buildings and other community facilities.
“Whenever I recount how my province, Leyte, suffered from Yolanda’s wrath, I think of Pangasinan… the support you gave to my province is what I am really grateful of,” Petilla said.
The energy secretary also urged the stakeholders to report whoever makes or causes unlawful and illegal use of electricity to protect the best interest of the electric cooperative.
CENPELCO started bringing electricity in barangays in Pangasinan in partnership with DOE and National Electrification Administration (NEA) since October 7, 1975, Engr. Rodrigo Corpuz, CENPELCO Officer-in-Charge said.
The SEP program of the national government, he added, was undertaken from 2012 to 2014; 204 more sitios in franchised area of the cooperative will soon be provided with electricity.
SEP has even reached the mountainous community in sitio Mapita, barangay Laoag in Aguilar town which is 13kms from the national road, Corpuz said.
The activity was also graced by NEA key officials, CENPELCO Board President Cesar Espino and CENPELCO district directors.
Areas covered by CENPELCO are towns of Sual, Labrador, Lingayen, Binmaley, Mangaldan, Bugallon, Aguilar, Urbiztondo, Basista, Malasiqui, Mangatarem, Bayambang, Bautista, Alcala and City of San Carlos. /Mark Gerry Naval Oblanca
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