TAGUIG CITY - Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi today joined in the 2021 National Electrification Administration - Electric Cooperatives’ (NEA-ECs) Consultative Conference, held in celebration of the NEA’s 52nd Anniversary and the 12th National Electrification Awareness Month (NEAM).
In his inspirational address, the Energy chief emphasized how the creation of the NEA revolutionized countryside economic development.
"Before, only our urban areas were advantageously positioned for progress. Through the NEA, the national government gained access to remote rural areas, and we were able to tip the scales in their favor by providing them access to electric power services which boosted their local economies, especially agricultural and industrial sectors," Secretary Cusi stated.
He further highlighted the crucial role of the NEA in "the strengthening and institutionalization of energy resilience in the country", particularly through the Task Force Kapatid program.
“Mapabagyo, lindol, o pandemya, hindi nagpapatinag ang NEA at mga kooperatiba sa anumang sakuna o delubyo. Saludo po kami sa kagitingang walang sawa ninyong ipinapamalas sa tawag ng pangangailangan, lalung-lalo na po ng ating mga linemen,” the Energy Secretary stressed.
He likewise recognized the NEA’s accomplishments, which includes providing continuous electricity access to about 14.53 million households, putting the government’s electrification progress at 99.98% of barangays and 84% of sitios in the ECs' franchise areas.
Also present was DOE-Renewable Energy Management Bureau Director Mylene C. Capongcol, who delivered a presentation on the Green Energy Option Program, a renewable energy (RE) policy mechanism that provides end-users the option to choose RE resources as their source of energy.
Other officials who participated in the Conference were NEA Administrator Edgardo M. Masongsong and Congressman Presley C. De Jesus of the Philippine Rural Electric Cooperatives Association Inc., Cong. Sergio C. Dagooc of the Association of Philippine Electric Cooperatives, Cong. Adriano A. Ebcas of Ako Padayon Pilipino Partylist, and Cong. Godofredo N. Guy of RECOBODA Partylist.
“Alam po nating lahat na hindi pa tapos ang laban. Marami pa po tayong pangangailangang dapat tugunan upang tuluyang maiangat ang ating mga kababayang asa laylayan, at upang mabigyan ng maliwanag na kinabukasan ang mga susunod na henerasyon ng Pilipino,” Secretary Cusi concluded.
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