BENECO’S SITIO ELECTRIFICATION WORKS UP, GETS P100-M NEA SUBSIDY

Boosts power supply as property development surges in metro-Baguio

BAGUIO CITY

Brighter future and economic opportunities to expand. Living conditions of hundreds of households in geographically remote 34 sitios in the municipalities of Tuba, Sablan, Kabayan, Bakun, Bokod, Itogon, Kabayan and
Kibungan all in the Province of Benguet, and Dungon in Pangasinan will be improve as Benguet Electric Cooperative
(BENECO) set to introduce power supply.

Initial electrification works are on going in :KABAYAN-Sitios Takitak, Pagleto and Bolaga in Barangay Ballay, and Sitio Badadak of Barangay Tawangan: SABLAN- Sitios Batag and Taleb in BarangayBangan: Sitio Esbo in Barangay Bagong, Sitios Sadengan and Kiwel in Shuntug of Barangay Kamog: TUBA- Sitios Shagtan, Kiwel, Upper and Lower Sarisa, Codcodag, Sinimbaan of Barangay Tabaan Sur; Sitios Baracbac, Lubas, Pangaw, Lumandi and Liit in Barangay Ansagan; BAKUN- Sitios Bayeng, Tagpew and Bolisay of Barangay Kayapa: BOKOD-Sitios Anapolis and Nadacla of Barangay Pito: ITOGON-Sitios Santa Fe, Tangki, Simpa and Pasiday: KIBUNGAN of Sitio Toy-od in Barangay Sagpat, and Sitio Amsalugan in Barangay Madaymen.

The P100-million as subsidy to be given in three trances to Beneco is under Sitio Electrification Program (SEP) of
National Electric Administration (NEA). Beneco general manager Engr. Melchor Licoben announced during a press forum together with Board Chairman Steve Cating, marking the utility’s 51st founding anniversary. Licoben said that its long term power supply agreement with a private company is expected to be completed before the year ends as its current supply is covered under emergency status.

The official also reported that the Beneco’s system loss dropped significantly, driving power rate to be cheaper.
To sustain the drop of system losses, Licoben said Beneco will strengthen its anti-pilferage drive going against illegal tapping, among others. Also, working as team with the Beneco board, they will increase the size of substations, electric lines,and hasten electric meter readings smart technology. It was learned that an estimated P4-million monthly is wasted due system losses even as P625 million has been programmed for capital expenditures (for years 2023-2024-2025) to include the P90- million this year.

Some P15 million is collected daily by Beneco from its consumers. To meet increasing demand of electricity, Beneco said its alternative renewable energization program include solar power, and hydro plants are being eyed in Kabayan, Tuba, Bakun as well as in the city , expected to generate a total of more than 65 megawatts. In other developments, some P49 million have been collected from its member consumers as their share capital. And the battle for Beneco’s renewal of franchise is now in the Senate as the consolidated House Bill 10483 introduced by Representatives Mark Go and Eric Go Yap of the Lone Districts of Baguio and Benguet has been approved by the House.

Primo Agatep/ABN

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