The Electric Cooperatives (ECs) with exemplary performance were recognized by the National Electrification Administration (NEA) at the 2022 Golden Dagitab Award. EC representatives, mostly General Managers and Board Presidents, attended the occasion held at the NEA Building in Quezon City on 29 July 2022.
Financial, Institutional and Technical Awards were given. These include Lowest System Loss, Single Digit System Loss, Best in Collection Efficiency, Green Energy, Sitio Energization Program and Rural Electrification Program Distinction. Special Citations for the following were also awarded: Sunshine EC, Most Complying in Audit Observation, Sound Financial Position, High AGMA Attendance, TESDA Accredited Assessment Center, Best Practices on Corporate Social Responsibility, Fully Liquidated Subsidy Fund, Advance Payment to NEA, Consistent Green and Compact of Cooperation.
The highlight of the event was the awarding of the Golden Dagitab Award to Cebu III Electric Cooperative, Inc. (CEBECO III) and Bohol I Electric Cooperative, Inc. (BOHECO I) for exceptional performance in all facets of ECs' operations, exemplary service delivery to its member-consumer-owners (MCOs) and for maintaining a 100-percent performance score for the last five years or more despite the pandemic and other natural calamities. CEBECO III and BOHECO I are top performing ECs since 1984 and 1985, respectively.
CEBECO III and BOHECO I were also among the 25 recipients of the Most Outstanding EC Award together with ISECO, LUELCO, CAGELCO II, AURELCO, NEECO II-Area 1, PENELCO, BATELEC II, TIELCO, CASURECO IV, CAPELCO, ILECO III, BANELCO, CEBECO I, PROSIELCO, BOHECO II, SAMELCO I, ZAMSURECO I, BUSECO, COTELCO, ANECO, SIARELCO, DIELCO and SURSECO I.
Region VI, Region VIII and CARAGA Region were named the Best Regions having all the ECs under these regions rated "AAA" for the last two rating periods. Region III bagged the Most Improved Region Award while Quirino Electric Cooperative, Inc. (QUIRELCO) was hailed as the Most Improved EC. From Category "B," QUIRELCO improved to Category "AAA" in the 2021 EC Overall Performance Assessment.
The NEA recognized as well the ECs with the Lowest Residential Rates. These were NEECO II-Area 2 for Luzon, CENECO for the Visayas, LASURECO for Mindanao and DIELCO for off-grid EC. QUIRELCO, IFELCO, MOPRECO, AURELCO, LUBELCO, BISELCO, BILECO, ZAMSURECO II, FIBECO, SOCOTECO I, SIARELCO and SURSECO I were the ECs with the Least Number of Consumer Complaints.
Energy Secretary Raphael Perpetuo Lotilla extended his warm greetings to the ECs through a video message. "This is but a reminder to all of us that we have a mission to accomplish for our country and our people. Electrification is a major mark of development in the lives of our people and I can assure you that the Department of Energy and the President will fully support our targets to have the electrification of 100 percent households in the Philippines," Secretary Lotilla said.
NEA Administrator Emmanuel Juaneza congratulated all the awardees. "The NEA commends all of you for showing resiliency and vigilance in coping with the challenges on the effects of COVID-19 pandemic, natural calamities and pressing economic and political issues and concerns," the Administrator said.
The 2022 Golden Dagitab Award was held in celebration of NEA's 53rd Founding Anniversary and the 13th National Electrification Awareness Month. Last 27-28 July 2022, the agency also conducted the Leadership Development Program and the NEA-EC Consultative Conference which aim to improve the service given by the ECs to its MCOs.###
