NEA salutes AKELCO, 70 other EC’s

Lovell Gepte-Juliano
The Aklan Electric Cooperative Inc., (AKELCO), along with seventy other EC’s in the country will be given recognition by the National Electrification Administration (NEA) for their selfless display of Bayanihan spirit as members of the TASK FORCE KAPATID BALIK-ILAW volunteers in restoring the electric power in the provinces of Albay and Sorsogon.

According to NEA Administrator Edita S. Bueno , this is to bestow the well-deserved honor and appreciation for the participation of all linemen and engineers in the rehabilitation of lines devastated by typhoons Caloy, Milenyo & Reming in the Bicol.

Last December 2006, AKELCO formed TASK FORCE KAPATID BALIK-ILAW in response to NEA’s call to help Albay Electric Cooperative (ALECO) in their “Balik-Ilaw” project, which aims to speed-up power restoration in the whole franchise area of ALECO. The team composed of twelve (12) Linemen and led by Engr. Wayne Bocala and Foremen Melvin Torres and Teody Iradon immediately headed for Albay.

The team were tasked to repair the primary backbone lines of Tabaco substation and rehabilitate the distribution lines in the town of Malilipot, Tabaco, Albay.

In Malilipot, clearing operations, hauling of poles, digging and construction of 12 kms distribution lines were their task. It tested their skills and endurance in repairing the damaged electric power lines throughout the said areas to hasten power restoration. With that, they came back very satisfied for a job well done.

“To be a part of the NEA-EC TASK FORCE KAPATID BALIK-ILAW program for twelve days is a fulfilling job . It made me realize that to save other people from distress without reservation is a true meaning of unity ” explains Engineer Bocala.

TASK FORCE KAPATID was conceptualized by former NEA Administrator Fr. Francisco G. Silva. AKELCO was one of the first beneficiary of the said Task Force since its formation on September 2002. The first project done by the Task Force in AKLAN was the rehabilitation and upgrading of Boracay distribution lines. Linemen and Engineers coming from the different coops in the Visayas and Mindanao came over to assist AKELCO in its rehabilitation projects.

Today, It had become a Standard Operating Procedure of NEA with the assistance of TRANSCO and NPC with the cooperation of all EC’s to immediately provide technical relief assistance to any electric cooperative devastated by typhoons. Immediate restoration of power is the primary task of the Task Force.

The momentous ceremony will be held on January 31, 2007, at the HESA, NEA office, Quezon City. The awarding of plaques of certificates will be given by NEA officials and Board of Administrators. This event will be participated in by contingents coming from the different EC’s led by their General Manager, Board President and of course the Team leaders of their respective TASK FORCE KAPATID BALIK-ILAW.