187,273 Iloilo households now energized

Electricity is a basic ingredient in spurring development in the countryside, and the energy sector in   Iloilo  is upscaling its efforts to bring energy even to the far-flung barangays of the province.

Data gathered by the Philippine Information Agency revealed that Iloilo province has now l87,273 household connections covering the areas served by the Iloilo Electric Cooperatives I, II and III.  The record also shows that around l,66l barangays are now energized.

The ten-point legacy program of the Macapagal-Arroyo administration aims to improve the quality of life of the people, especially those in the rural areas by providing them with adequate and sustainable energy services which would increase their opportunities to engage in livelihood and income-generating activities.

Under the Barangay Electrification program, the energy sector has set plans and programs that would attain its target of completing the energization of all barangays by year 2006.

According to the DOE data, it costs about Pl.0 M  to Pl.5 M to energize one barangay. The government, though with limited resources, aims to energize at least l,500 per year to attain its target of l00% barangay level electrification by year 2006.   It will also tap the assistance of private sector to undertake the electrification of up to half of the remaining un-energized barangays.

The DOE data also show that about 8,300 or l9.8%  of the country's 4l,995 barangays are still un-energized as of the end of year 2000, thus have been deprived of the opportunity to join the mainstream of development.

For Western Visayas, President Macapagal-Arroyo in addressing power demand here has led the ceremonial switching of two power plants during her visits in Nabas, Aklan and Jordan, Guimaras last April 2005.

The value and significance of the said projects are far reaching, as it affects people from all walks of life. And when the energization  program  meets its goal in 2006, it surely will help induce economic growth in this part of the country, the President said in one of her speeches. (PIA/T.Villavert)