BAGUIO CITY – National Electrification Administration (NEA) Administrator Edgardo Masongsong commended the collective efforts of the members and the management of the Benguet Electric Cooperative (BENECO) that allowed the electric cooperative to garner eight prestigious awards relative to the operation, administration and the management of the power distribution utilities.
Masongsong, who served as the guest of honor and speaker during BENECO’s 37th Annual General Membership Assembly (AGMA) last Saturday at the Baguio City National High School auditorium, revealed BENECO is one of the few electric cooperatives conferred the Triple A Award because of its effective and efficient performance in the management, administration, and operation of the cooperative.
The NEA chief added through the implementation of various interventions to improve the cooperative’s power distribution system, BENECO was given the Single Digit Systems Loss Award for having maintained an average of 9.83 percent systems loss in 2016 which is way below the 13 percent allowable systems loss of cooperatives under the provisions of Republic Act (RA) 9136 or the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA).
He added because of the prompt payment of the members of their monthly power bills, BENECO was also given the Best in Collection Performance Award for having sustained a close to 100 percent collection efficiency.
Because of the combined efforts of management to provide consumers with affordable power rates and maintain low rates for members, the NEA official commended BENECO for garnering the Cheapest Power Rate Award for inland cooperatives considering that the power rates of the electric cooperative is competitive compared to the power rates charged by private power distribution companies operating around the country.
BENECO was also adjudged as an Electric Cooperative (EC) Management Award for Exemplary General Manager which was given to Gerardo P. Verzosa and EC with Model headquarters facilities primarily for its new multi-function office based along South Drive.
Further, BENECO received two certificates of appreciation from the NEA for its active participation in the Task Force Kapatid for the energization of heavily-devastated areas at the height of typhoons Lawin and Nina which resulted in the restoration of power to their coverrrage area ravaged by the two weather disturbances last year.
He urged the members to continue supporting the various endeavors of the electric cooperative in sustaining the delivery of clean and reliable power even to non-viable areas within its franchise area to achieve the energization of areas that remain to be unenergized through the government supported Sitio Electrification Program and for the management to elevate its performance to greater heights to exceed its exemplary performance over the past several years to become one of the model rural electric cooperatives in the country.
By HENT
