General Managers (GMs) from the 121 electric cooperatives (ECs) nationwide attended the 23rd National Association of General Managers of Electric Cooperative (NAGMEC) Convention which emphasized GMs’ role in the foundations of the ‘new normal.’ Indeed, no obstacle is big enough as this year’s convention was held through an online platform amid the current pandemic.
The NAGMEC Convention brings together GMs of ECs across the country to show appreciation for their dedication to serving communities through rural electrification. It provides new prospects on how GMs will better manage their respective ECs. NAGMEC is currently led by its President, Allan Laniba, the General Manager of Leyte III Electric Cooperative, Inc. (LEYECO III) and Don Orestes Romualdez Electric Cooperative, Inc. (DORELCO).
The Power Bloc, composed of PHILRECA Representative Presley De Jesus, APEC Representative Sergio Dagooc, RECOBODA Representative Godofredo Guya, and Ako Padayon Pilipino Representative Adriano Ebcas, has always emphasized that ECs have always and will always play a quintessential role in the delivery of electricity to every corner of our country.
“Dahil dumarami ang gumagamit ng online platforms, ang halaga ng pagkakaroon ng dekalidad at tuloy-tuloy na daloy ng kuryente sa ating mga kanayunan ay mas humigit pa. Ang ating mga electric cooperatives ang pangunahing instrumento sa pagtupad ng hangaring ito. Kaya naman ang ating pakikiisa sa ating adbokasiya na total rural electrification ay mas kailangan pang pag-alabin” said PHILRECA Rep. De Jesus.
GMs, as leaders of ECs, have been entrusted with the responsibility of ensuring a more resilient rural electrification. As a former GM, Ako Padayon Pilipino Rep. Ebcas confirmed this role stating that “dito tayo pumapasok bilang mga tagapagtaguyod ng ating adbokasiya na sustainable development through total rural electrification. Tayo, bilang mga general managers at leaders ng movement ay may responsibilidad na gawin ang lahat ng ating makakaya para sa ikabubuti ng ating mga konsumers at sa ikauunlad ng ating bayan.”
The lawmakers affirmed their efforts for the movement through lobbying for laws that will strengthen rural electrification. RECOBODA Rep. Guya, also a former GM, underscored House Bill 1063 which aims to ensure energy security and, consequently, national security.
“Ang isyu ng seguridad ng enerhiya ay makakaapekto sa ating lahat. Bilang mga general managers, kami ay inyong katuwang sa pag gawa ng paraan at mga polisiya upang malampasan ang mga panganib na ito at maipagpatuloy ang ating layunin na pagpapailaw sa kanayunan at pagbibigay ng dekalidad at tuloy-tuloy na kuryente sa ating mamamayan para sa ikauunlad ng ating bayan,” said Rep. Guya.
APEC Rep. Dagooc, a former GM for nine (9) years, assured the GMs of the Power Bloc’s progress with the filing of House Bill 7058 or the Distribution Utility COVID-19 Assistance, Relief, and Energy Subsidy Act (DU-CARES) which will allot a calamity and exigency fund for distribution utilities.
“Naiintindihan namin ang pagsubok na hinaharap niyo ngayon bilang mga general managers at handa kaming magbigay tulong at suporta sainyo kung kaya minabuti namin maghain ng ganitong panukala. Upang ito po ay umusad, matalakay ng Komite, at maipasa, ay hinihingi ko po ang inyong buong suporta at magkaisa tayo sa ating panawagan na pagtibayin ang Rural Electrification Program,” said Rep. Dagooc.
During the Convention, the GMs renewed their commitment to the advocacy of total rural electrification and assured that they will keep working on innovative ways to better serve their member-consumer-owners.
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