Administrator Antonio Mariano Almeda called on all 121 electric cooperatives (ECs) nationwide to share their best practices with one another in order to enhance the reliability and efficiency of their power distribution services for the benefit of their member-consumer-owners (MCOs). This was done through a summit organized by the National Electrification Administration (NEA) on Monday, 01 April 2024.
Included in the agenda are the following areas of concern: fluctuating voltage in the technical systems of the co-ops; management of the EC Reinvestment Funds and EC Retirement Funds; loan facilities to establish the Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI), Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition System (SCADA) and Geographic Information System (GIS) of the ECs; concerns with respect to the enhanced Integrated Computerized Planning Model (e-ICPM); and the timeline of EC bidding activities.
With respect to fluctuating or low power voltage experienced by some ECs, General Managers were advised to maintain the flow of investments on reliable power facilities. “If you see that a sitio needs to be electrified, kabitan niyo na, gastusan niyo na (then connect it, invest in it). You are expected to be proactive. Tulungan niyo NEA na ma-achieve ang (Help NEA to achieve) 100 percent electrification,” Administrator Almeda said.
Also discussed during the summit were the two Memorandums issued by the Agency regarding the management of EC Retirement Funds. Said issuances came immediately after NEA’s recent probe into the anomalous depletion of the reserves of an EC in Nueva Ecija. Administrator Almeda reminded the ECs of their compliance with the 15 March 2024 Memo which required the submission of Board Resolutions on their employees’ retirement funds. The NEA Chief also reiterated his warning against practices which result in the improper use of such funds.
Other matters discussed during the 2024 NEA-EC Summit include the potential extension of loan facilities to certain co-ops in order to facilitate the integration of AMI, GIS and SCADA System into their operations.
Notably, the meeting participants also talked about the implementation of the enhanced Integrated Computerized Planning Model (e-ICPM), a project which aims to enhance proper planning among co-ops.
The NEA reminded all ECs to abide by the prescribed timelines to complete their respective bidding activities, as well as to continuously and monitor and update their lists of blacklisted or non-performing contractors/suppliers.
The participants were also informed of the partnership between NEA and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) which will provide assistance to ECs on matters concerning the organization of employees’ unions and the negotiation of Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs).
Lastly, NEA and the participants discussed the possible rationalization of the activities of EC allied organizations in order to minimize expenses related thereto. ###
