By
Lenie Lectura - May 16, 2018
TWO groups of
electric cooperatives (ECs) formed a strategic partnership with the aim of
pushing the electrification agenda forward in the national policy-making
discussion as well as addressing recent challenges facing ECs.
The Philippine Rural
Electric Cooperatives Association Inc. (Philreca) and Philippine Federation of
Electric Cooperatives (Philfeco) described their move as an important
milestone.
“Our
combined strength and influence will hopefully accelerate key
electrification programs and advocacies,” Philreca President Presley de
Jesus said.
De Jesus noted the
partnership will present a unified position in addressing the planned entry of
private corporate and business interests in a sector exclusively serviced by
cooperatives and people’s organizations, a proposal ECs nationwide oppose.
Philfeco Chairman
General Manager David Solomon Siquian of the Isabela II Electric Cooperative
(Iselco II) noted the partnership shows the two groups are fully open to
working together.
“The Philreca-Philfeco
partnership shows a strengthened EC sector. Our alliance will hopefully inspire
other ECs who we consider equal vanguards and warriors of light to do the same.
Partnership and consolidation will hasten member-consumer-owners [MCO]
empowerment and will accelerate sustainable rural development,” Siquian said.
The strategic
partnership was agreed upon during the Philfeco Board meeting held at the
Iselco II headquarters in Ilagan City, Isabela, last May 12.
Recently, Philreca
issued a resolution approving the inclusion of Philfeco Chairman Siquian as an
ex-officio member of the Philreca Board to represent the ECs registered with
the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA).
The partnership drew
praise from the state-run National Electrification Administration (NEA), which
touted it as “crucially needed by the sector, and would benefit EC
member-owners and end-consumers alike.”
“This strategic
partnership paves the way for more free-flowing collaborative exchanges between
ECs, especially the major players in the industry. The combined resources of
Philreca and Philfeco promise vast potential in terms of service delivery and
innovations in rural electrification,” NEA administrator Edgardo Masongsong
said.
Philreca is a
non-stock, non-profit national organization comprised of 121 ECs operating in
the country. Philfeco represents 12 ECs registered with CDA.
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