In a consultative meeting in Butuan City last 07 February 2023, NEA Administrator Antonio Mariano C. Almeda sought the help of CARAGA Rural Electric Cooperatives Association (CRECA) in improving the collection efficiency of electric cooperatives in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). He appealed to CRECA to extend a helping hand by donating electric meters.

CRECA did not hesitate to heed the call of the Administrator and pledged a total of 12,000 electric meters with an estimated value of PhP12 Million. The association will also donate 8,000 service drop wires and will form a task force that will assist the BARMM ECs in the installation of the electric meters.

The NEA Chief expressed his gratitude to CRECA and lauded the generosity of its members. CRECA is composed of Agusan Del Norte Electric Cooperative, Inc. (ANECO), Agusan del Sur Electric Cooperative, Inc., (ASELCO), Surigao del Norte Electric Cooperative, Inc. (SURNECO), Siargao Electric Cooperative, Inc. (SIARELCO), Dinagat Island Electric Cooperative, Inc. (DIELCO), Surigao del Sur I Electric Cooperative, Inc. (SURSECO I) and Surigao del Sur II Electric Cooperative, Inc. (SURSECO II).

Last month, the Administrator was able to raise around Php47 Million worth of electric meters for Maguindanao Electric Cooperative, Inc. (MAGELCO) and Lanao del Sur Electric Cooperative, Inc. (LASURECO) alone. This will bring the estimated value of electric meter donation to almost Php60 Million to date.

"In addition to FRECOR 8, CEVECA, CLECA, BATELEC I and II, CRECA will be donating electric meters to BARMM ECs, embodying the spirit of cooperativism. This is part of their Corporate Social Responsibility Program and we thank them for their generosity," Administrator Almeda said.

Before the consultative meeting with CRECA, the Administrator graced the gathering of the association at the LMX Convention Center in Butuan City wherein he and Deputy Administrator for Technical Services Engr. Ernesto Silvano, Jr. addressed the issues and concerns of CARAGA ECs. They also attended the 46th founding anniversary of ANECO.