Government surpasses target of bringing electricity to rural areas nationwide

Laguindingan, Misamis Oriental—The government has surpassed its target of bringing electricity to rural areas nationwide through the Sitio Electrification Program (SEP). 

The SEP, launched in September 2011 as a flagship program of President Aquino, was able to energize 32,688 sitios as of March 31. The target was 32,441 sitios, or hamlets.

President Aquino acknowledged last Wednesday the former and current Energy secretaries, as well as the electric cooperatives that contributed to the successful implementation of the SEP.

“Dahil sa ginawa ng tatlong kalihim ng ating Department of Energy, umpisa kay Rene Almendras, tumuloy kay Icot (Carlos Jericho) Petilla for the most part, at si Naidi (Zenaida) Monsada ang nagtapos nito. Tumulong ang lahat ng cooperative para mangyari ito. Hindi naman ho puro tauhan ng gobyerno ang gumawa nito. Tumulong kayo sa Sitio Electrification Program. Tumutulong kayo palagi pag may bagyo at nagbagsakan ang linya, kayo ang nagpapamadali ng panunumbalik ng kuryente,” the President said after leading the switch-on ceremony at the Misamis Oriental-1 Rural Electric Service Cooperative Inc. (Moresco-1) covered court in Barangay Poblacion here.

“Doon po sa pinagtulong-tulungan natin—ulitin ko, hindi si Noynoy Aquino ang gumawa nito—kayo ho ang gumawa. Idamay na lang ninyo ako. Tayo ho ang gumawa ng tagumpay na ito, kaya maraming-maraming salamat sa inyo,” he added.

“Gusto ko hong ipagdiinan: Sa Daang Matuwid ho kasi, ano ba ang pakay? Ang pakay ay…maglingkod sa taumbayan nang totoo,” he said.

Assisting the President in pushing the knife switch that turned on the light-emitting diode (LED) lights representing the energized sitios nationwide, were Energy Secretary Monsada and National Electrification Administration (NEA) chief Edita Bueno.

Also present were Interior Secretary Mel Senen Sarmiento, Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Oscar Moreno, and Moresco-1 Board President Nonito Labis and General Manager Engineer Julie Real.

The government has released P21 billion to 117 electric cooperatives to bolster the completion of the program. Luzon got the biggest share of the funding with 11,670 sitios energized, followed by Mindanao with 10,800, and the Visayas with 10,218.

The SEP, which aims to boost the economy that would lead to job generation and bring in investments to rural areas, is under the supervision of the NEA.

The President also mentioned other government projects, such as the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) and the Philippine Health Insurance Corp., which have improved the lives of Filipinos.

He noted that 4.6 million households are beneficiaries of the 4Ps, and that 7.7 million Filipinos are now above the poverty line.

The President also mentioned the National Greening Program, under which 1.5 billion trees would be planted in 1.5 million hectares.

With a little over 70 days remaining in his term, Mr. Aquino said he is leaving the country in a much better state for the next generation.