FDC Misamis Power Corporation (FDC Misamis), one of Mindanao’s biggest power producer, gifted 29 “poorest” of the poor families in different localities in Bukidnon Province with electrical wirings (kuryente) so they may have lights on Christmas.
FDC Misamis’ “kuryente” gift-giving activity is in collaboration with Bukidnon Second Electric Cooperative’s (BUSECO), boosting the latter’s Light A House Program” (LAHP).
“I am thankful that FDC Misamis responded to our call for help through our LAHP aimed at electrifying the remaining 12,000 unserved households within our franchise areas in Bukidnon,” said BUSECO’s OIC General Manager Christopher Dulfo.
Dulfo, though, clarified that LAHP is not yet part of the Department of Energy’s (DOE) and National Electrification Administration’s (NEA) Rural Electrification Program (REP).
“It’s just our very own generic initiative.” he quipped.
Dulfo explained that BUSECO has already available electrical posts and lines in certain remote areas.
“But since the people there can’t afford to pay for some charges with BUSECO and local government unit (LGU) for several permits needed before the power installation commences, and most can’t also afford to buy for electrical wirings and meter reader, they, therefore, remain unenergized until now.”
Each household, Dulfo said, must prepare, at least, P7,000 for connection fees and electrical wirings and meter reader.
Dulfo said some sells their animals like cows, carabaos or pigs just to have money to pay for their respective electrical connection.
With LAHP, he stressed, BUSECO and the Manolo Fortich LGU waived all the charges for anyone who wishes to have immediate access to electricity.
FDC Misamis then took care of electrical wirings and other required materials.
“Indeed, the Christmas celebration of our beneficiaries are merrier and memorable,” Dulfo added.
Brighter Christmas
“What a brighter Christmas for our family!” said Chimbe Agoy-oy, whose simple abode in Sitio Tumampong, Tankulan, Manolo Fortich town was chosen as one of the householdecipients of FDC Misamis’ Christmas “kuryente” gift package.
“At last, after 34 years, subong lang g’yud kami magka-kuryente,” she said in jest. “Salamat sa FDC Misamis. Salamat sa BUSECO,”
Angelie Sapio-Bautista, daughter of LAHP’s beneficiary Jhonny Sapio, Sr. can’t help but exclaim “thanks to FDC Misamis and BUSECO for such a wonderful Christmas gift to my father.”
She said her father, who is 60 years old now, is very much happy to see light coming from an electric bulb (inside their house) for the very first time in his life.
“We’re very happy. We can study well now,” reacted 7-year-old Prince Hubert Cajardo and 9-year-old Jessebel Agoy-oy, who are cousins and both pupils of Sankanan, Elementary School in Manolo Fortich.
The good thing about this program is we can now buy television set, among other appliances, said Ademar Alicda, 28, another LAHP beneficiary.
The household of Prince, Jessebel and Alicda are among the five LAHP’s beneficiaries in Sitio Tumampong, Brgy. Tankulan, Manolo Fortich.
Some 24 others are in the localities of Malaybalay City, Lantapan, Sumilao, Impasug-ong, Baungon and Malitbog, all still in Bukidnon.
Making impossible dreams possible
FDC Utilities, Inc. (FDCUI) and FDC Misamis President Juan Eugenio L. Roxas, meanwhile, said they are trying their very best to also serve people outside their host communities.
FDC Misamis, a wholly-owned subsidiary of FDCUI, the utilities and power arm of the Gotianun-led Filinvest Development Corporation (FDC) conglomerate, which operates a 3×135-MW circulating fluidized bed coal thermal power plant in Villanueva, Misamis Oriental, is one of the power suppliers of BUSECO.
“We’re now starting to get out of our orb, reaching other depressed communities in Mindanao like these ones in Bukidnon just to bring them the light they have been longing for,” Roxas said.
Meanwhile, FDC Misamis’ Community Relations Specialist Analiza Miso said that through the program, “we are making impossible dreams possible for poor people.”
Miso added that LAHP is a clear demonstration of FDC Misamis’ and BUSECO’s astounding teamwork for the benefit of the “poorest” of the poor families who, until now, still have no access to electricity.
BUSECO’s Board of Directors President Alex Panyaga hailed the coop’s good relationship with the LGU of Manolo Fortich town and FDC Misamis as well.
“If not for the good relationship we’ve cultured with our different stakeholders and power suppliers, maybe, we could not attain this very successful endeavor,” Panyaga said.
BUSECO, Dulfo said, needs at least P400-million to power up the remaining 12,000 unserved households within its coverage areas in Bukidnon.
“In due time or before President Rodrigo Duterte steps down in 2022, we hope we could make an ultimate realization to this very challenging goal,” Dulfo said.(PR)
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