By Dexter A. See | Aug. 05, 2014 at 12:01am
TABUK CITY, Kalinga —The National Electrification Administration (NEA) has connected to the national grid four remote barangays, bringing electricity to 300 homes in the mountainous areas, a local electric cooperative official said on Monday.
Clifford Alunday, information officer of the Kalinga-Apayao Electric Cooperative (KAELCO), said the power switch-on last July 31 in the four barangays --- Upper and Lower Taloctoc, Anggacan in Tanudan and Dao-angan in Balbalan --- were part of the government’s Sitio Energization Program.
“The residents are now enjoying the benefits of electricity,” Alunday said.
So far, only 55 of the 88 barangays in the seven municipalities and one city have been energized. Next year, KAELCO planned to energized 207 homes in the towns of Lubo, Gaang and Dacalan.
The switch-on brought news and entertainment to the homes in mountain barangays as several residents bought TV sets, radio and stereo components. Some residents opened up restaurants, shops as business opportunities perked up.
Alunday said NEA provided the funds to implement the electrification of the remote barangays, which will have a major impact in the lives of the indigenous mountain tribes.
“We are grateful that Kalinga has been receiving its due share from the government’s rural electrification program. Bringing power to the countryside will be instrumental in bringing growth and development to the rural areas,” Alunday said.
Gov. Joel Baac welcomed the switch-on and called on NEA to give priority in their future plans to poor sitios in the province and help uplift the living conditions of the people in these areas.
“These people have been living in the dark for decades,” Baac said.
Rep. Manuel Agyao said that he will lobby with the NEA so that more funds will be given to Kalinga in next year’s budget to energize remaining barangays and sitios as electrification is a key economic driver. source
No comments:
Post a Comment