Beneco has lowest power rate in Phl; far sitios energized

BAGUIO CITY -- Consumers of the Benguet Electric Cooperative (Beneco) enjoy the cheapest electricity charges in the country.
    General manager Melchor Licoben said Beneco power bills this October were slashed by as much as 58 centavos per kilowatt hour (kWh).

One of the major factors in the significant reduction in power rates is the drop in the generation systems charge from P3.7375 per kWh in September to P3.3325/kWh October.

There was also a slight reduction in systems loss charge from P0.3927/kWh in September to P0.3388 in October.

However, there was a minimal increase in transmission charge, courtesy of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines, from P0.6965/kWh in September to P0.7992 this month.

Beneco prides itself with a reliable power distribution system, coupled with the infusion of state-of-the-art information and communication technology equipment while sustaining delivery of power to non-viable areas within its franchise area, specifically in the different remote villages of Benguet, for more than four decades.

The coop was set to have ceremonial switch-on of its upgraded system in Sinipsip, Buguias on Thursday, part of Beneco’s commitment to the Sitio Electrification Program in remote areas of Baguio and Benguet.

Meanwhile, in Atok, Benguet, 17 families in two far sitios are now enjoying benefits of electricity in their homes after decades of not having power.

On Oct.8, the Benguet Electric Coop. with officials from the provincial government, Office of Rep. Eric Go Yap, municipal government of Atok and beneficiaries held ceremonial switch-on and energization of sitios Poshongan and Telmod in Barangay Topdac here.

Licoben said energization of the two  areas was part of the Beneco sitio energization funded by the national government through the National Electrification Administration and implemented with stakeholders.

He said government had been giving subsidy and funding for sitio electrification program to ensure geographically isolated sitios will be energized and would have electricity in their homes.

For sitios Poshongan and Telmod, the government funded at least P2 million for energization of households.

Licoben said Beneco erected 40 poles, laid out 1.5-km primary lines and three kilometers of secondary lines  and installed a transformer.

Mayor Raymundo Sarac thanked the Beneco and national government for the project that “lighted” the residences in the two sitios. 

“This is part of the development and improvement of the municipality being undertaken to uplift lives of the people,” he said.

Beneficiaries also expressed gratitude.

“We thank you for bringing electricity in the sitios. Now we will no longer be groping in the dark,” said Victoria Tigmayo said in vernacular in her message to Beneco and other stakeholders.

She thanked the Beneco for their sacrifices in placing poles and wires to bring electricity in their houses in far and mountainous areas.

“I am thankful that electricity already reached my house in Poshongan. This is the first time in 100 years that we now have electricity in our home. I say 100 years since I am now 67 and this is the first time that we have electricity,” Larry Moltio said.

Beneco said there are still more than 600 sitios that need  to be energized in Benguet.  

Representatives of Gov. Diclas and Rep. Yap vowed to work closely with the NEA for funding of more sitio electrification projects in the province. – Alwin Quitasol, JDP, RMC/PIA