A ceremonial installation of donated electric meters to Maguindanao Electric Cooperative, Inc. (MAGELCO) was conducted by Task Force Metro 1 in Parang, Maguindanao del Norte on Wednesday, 01 March 2023.

The task force was formed by NEA Administrator Antonio Mariano Almeda after the electric cooperatives from Region VII and Region VIII heeded the call of the NEA Chief to help MAGELCO in improving its collection efficiency. Initially, 5,000 electric meters have been delivered to MAGELCO.

MAGELCO Acting General Manager Suraina Kalid, and MAGELCO Project Supervisor and Sultan Kudarat Electric Cooperative, Inc. (SUKELCO) General Manager Claudia Pondales attended the ceremonial installation together with NEA Principal Engineer Floyd Eric Bautista who was designated as management assist of MAGELCO.

"We are grateful sa NEA, kay Admin Almeda who brings the light of hope to the people of Maguindanao. Sa pagsisimula ng operasyon ng Task Force Metro, ito na talaga ang umpisa ng Makabagong MAGELCO para sa kapakanan ng ating mga member-consumer-owners (MCOs)," AGM Kalid said.

"Ito na ang MAGELCO tungo sa pagbabago. Salamat kay Admin Almeda sa mabilis na solusyon at sa mga EC na tumulong," PS Pondales added.

MAGELCO will be receiving a total of 27,000 electric meters from the Federation of Rural Electric Cooperatives in Region VIII (FRECOR 8) and Central Visayas Electric Cooperatives Association (CEVECA) with an estimated value of PhP27 Million.

"Ang way forward nito ay every transfer ng TF (task force) sa ibang Lugar or munisipyo ng Maguindanao ay magkakaroon ng compact of cooperation ang MAGELCO at munisipyo para maging smooth ang implementation ng paglalagay ng metro sa mga consumer," Engr. Bautista said.

Aside from MAGELCO, Lanao del Sur Electric Cooperative, Inc. (LASURECO) will also receive electric meter donations from Batangas I and Batangas II Electric Cooperative, Inc. (BATELEC I and II) and Central Luzon Electric Cooperatives Association (CLECA). ###