Abra power firm denies mismanagement barbs on P189 million fund

By Maritess B. Beñas

BANGUED, Abra -- The Abra Electric Cooperative has spent a  total of P189,211,736.26 for  technical services for the past five years specifically for system loss reduction, improve power quality, upgrade distribution system, and effect a more reliable and efficient system.

               

General Manager Loreto P. Seares, Jr. said funds spent on technical services from 2008 to the current year   were generated by ABRECO and not from loans as some quarters had been saying denying mismanagement of the power firm.

               

He reported that  P189 million  was  used by the Engineering Department of ABRECO  on overhead distribution line which included the rehabilitation of distribution line such as the reconducting by replacement of undersized conductors and conversion of bare wires to insulated wires; and rehabilitation of damaged distribution line caused by typhoons, refurbishment of old and dilapidated wood poles.

               

Likewise, the long single phase line was converted into a 3-phase line thereby extending the primary lines in order to be relieved from the over-extended secondary lines. 

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Installation of protective devices and isolation switches such as circuit recloser, by-pass switches, fuse-cutouts and automatic voltage regulators (AVR) were also done, including clearing of rights-of-way to minimize systems loss, he added.

               

Seares explained that accidents often occur due to overloaded transformers, and ABRECO is left with no choice but to either install new distribution transformers or replace those that are already overloaded in order to split and balance the loads.

               

Systems loss is further mitigated by conducting an effective metering, he pointed out.  This was carried out through massive inspection, modification, and calibration of defective meters to avoid pilferages, provision of Kv2c meter for big loads, installation of primary and secondary metering and resealing of meters.

               

He also disclosed the  sub-transmission from  the town of Bangued to Dolores is under construction to further upgrade the power distribution system of ABRECO.    

               

Meantime,  members  in  the general assembly had ratified the amendments to by-laws last July 21, 2012. 

               

In addition to the ratification of some pertinent provisions of the By-Laws, they also elected the members of the election, audit and inventory committees.

               

Elected members of the election committee were Sarah Jane I. Valencia of Penarrubia, Isidro Vasquez, and Julius Baliubar,  both of Bangued. 

               

The audit and inventory committee was composed of:  Karen Z. Beleno of Bangued, Nestor Barbieto of Tayumand  Rosario Valera of Bucay.

               

The election of a board member for Bangued will be conducted on August 25, 2012.