The National Electrification Administration (NEA) recently entered into a contract with a Japanese firm for the procurement of distribution line materials and brand new boom trucks which will be used to rehabilitate the power distribution system of the six electric cooperatives (ECS) operating in Mindanao.
General trading company, Nishizawa Limited, bested the four other Japanese participants in the bidding for the “Project for Improvement of Equipment for Power Distribution in Bangsamoro Area.”
The project will be financed through a grant aid worth 771-million yen extended by the Government of Japan through Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to Philippine government, which was signed on March 30, 2017.
As the winning bidder, Nishizawa Limited will supply and deliver the power distribution equipment and materials, such as boom trucks (16 units), transformers (425 units), poles, and wires to the six beneficiary ECs in Mindanao.
The Japanese firm will also be in charge of the implementation of training focusing on the handling of insulated wire and operation training of the boom trucks.
The project recipients are Lanao del Sur Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Lasureco), Maguindanao Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Magelco), Basilan Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Baselco), Sulu Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Suleco), Tawi-Tawi Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Tawelco), and Siasi Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Siaselco).
“The Philippine government thru NEA expresses deep appreciation to the Japanese government thru JICA for its immediate response to the call of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte to help the country’s electrification program in the rural ARMM,” Administrator Edgardo Masongsong said.
“The assistance will further the development of the ARMM, especially the BASULTA (Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi) area which had been identified by the President as a priority for socio-economic development,” the NEA chief added.
Signing the contract were NEA Deputy Administrator for Technical Services Engr. Artis Nikki Tortola and Nishizawa Limited project manager Sumio Fujioka at the office of Oriental Consultants Global Co., Ltd., JICA consultant, on April 3, 2018 in Tokyo, Japan.
Also present at the ceremony was NEA Engineering Department manager Engr. Ferdinand Villareal.
