Households in an off-grid island in the Fifth District of Iloilo province now have electricity through the P58-million Power Distribution Line Project.
On Thursday, June 6, the Iloilo Electric Cooperative (ILECO III) conducted an energization ceremony to formally connect Tagubanhan Island to the power grid.
The island is composed of five barangays, two (Punta Buri and Tagubanhan) of which are part of Ajuy town while three (Bagongon, Maliogliog and Dungon) belong to Concepcion town.
According to lawyer James G. Balsomo II, general manager of ILECO III, the energization of the island, which has nearly 1,500 households, is part of the power cooperative’s goal to “electrify every household within its franchise area.”
“ILECO III believes that access to power is now a basic human right,” he stressed.
The amount spent for the project came from the National Electrification Administration (P39 million) and the National Power Corp. (P19 million).
ILECO III secured the amount through the help of Iloilo Fifth District Representative Raul “Boboy” Tupas and Department of Energy Secretary Raphael Perpetuo M. Lotilla.
“This initiative not only provides security to our Member-Consumer-Owners, but also offers them the opportunity to realize a brighter future with access to electricity right at their doorstep,” Balsomo said.
“This is a legacy project of our government and ILECO III by securing a better future to every family and to the next generation,” he added.
The ceremony was also attended by Board Members Binky Tupas and Carol-V Espinoza-Diaz, Concepcion Mayor Milliard Villanueva and Ajuy Mayor Jett Rojas.IMT
